Debate Revives Over 1960s Prediction: Is Civilization Facing Collapse by 2026?

The discussion surrounding potential global collapse has resurfaced, sparked by a scientific prediction from the 1960s that warned of rapid population growth leading to widespread famine and threatening human civilization by 2026.

In November 1960, the journal "Science" published a study by three researchers from the University of Illinois—Heinz von Foerster, Patricia Moore, and Lawrence Amoy—who cautioned against an extreme scenario of societal collapse due to the strain on natural resources from population increases.

Rather than predicting nuclear war, asteroid impacts, or natural disasters, the researchers focused on a gradual, long-term process: rapid population growth and increased life expectancy, which could outpace the Earth’s ability to provide food and energy.

At the time, the global population was about 3 billion; it has since surpassed 8 billion, echoing the warnings issued by the researchers roughly 65 years ago.

However, contemporary experts suggest that the global population is expected to peak around 2080, and advancements in technology and agriculture have addressed many of the earlier concerns, at least for now.

This notion of population limits dates back to the 18th century, when British economist Thomas Malthus warned that population growth could exceed food production, potentially leading to mass famines.

Despite these dire predictions, most scientists today believe that humanity is not facing an imminent end but rather complex challenges such as climate change, resource distribution, and inequality, which can be managed through thoughtful political, technological, and social decisions.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that some billionaires, including Mark Zuckerberg, have invested in underground shelters and remote properties in preparation for potential global collapse scenarios.