Scientist debunks wacky 1960 study claiming 'doomsday' will occur on 13 November 2026

In 1960, Science, one of the world's leading science journals, published an article suggesting exactly when the world will end. Titled 'Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D 2026', the study was written by Heinz von Foerster, an Austrian-American professor and cybernetics expert and two of his students, Patricia M. Mora and Lawrence W. Amiot. Writing in the study, the trio argued: 'Our great–great–grandchildren will not starve. They will be squeezed to death.'So, with just over one month before this alleged 'doomsday', is it time to panic? Thankfully, Professor Alan MacEachern, a professor in history at Western University, has set the record straight. Writing in The Conversation, he reassured: 'We will probably not all wake up on Friday, November 13 'squeezed to death.'' Titled 'Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D 2026', the study was written by Heinz von Foerster, an Austrian–American professor and cybernetics expert and two of his students, Patricia M. Mora and Lawrence W. AmiotThe article claimed that on 13 November, the human population will 'approach infinity,' at which point it will effectively annihilate itself. This prediction was based on population growth over the previous 2,000 years. And although extreme, it was regularly cited in textbooks on everything from genetics, to ecology and demography.However, Professor MacEachern points out a huge flaw – the global birth rate is now significantly lower than it was when the article was published. This suggests the prediction of doomsday on 13 November is based on outdated figures.'Only around 1993 did that accuracy begin to falter and the global population began falling behind the forecasts,' Professor MacEachern explained. 'Today, the global birth rate is slightly less than half the 1960 rate.'Professor MacEachern also points out that the lead author, Heinz von Foerster, was a stage magician at one point in his life. As a result, the scientist may have used elements of his tricks in his paper.'Borrowing the classic language of stagecraft, an effective illusion relies on three parts: the setup, the extraordinary turn and the final reveal that returns the situation to normal,' Professor MacEachern explained. 'Von Foerster and his co–authors' article gained attention because it was an ordinary scientific article wrapped in an extraordinary title and conclusion. 'It retained significance because it was firmly grounded in research and argument.'To draw the world's attention to a serious matter by way of absurdity — that's a good trick.'So, with November 13 drawing closer, you can rest easy. Professor MacEachern added: 'We will all wake up on 13 November to an ordinary day. 'Nonetheless, this article remains exemplary, for blending rigorous science with the art of stagecraft to staggering effect.'Von Foerster wasn't the only scientist making predictions about the end of the world in the 60s. 'The Adam and Eve Story', written by former US Air Force employee, UFO researcher and self-acclaimed psychic Chan Thomas, was written in 1966 but its publication was halted by the agency.It was quietly declassified in 2013, at least in part, but remained hidden in the CIA's database – until now.In the book, Thomas claims that every 6,500 years, a major disaster on the scale of the Biblical 'Great Flood' strikes the Earth.While experts debate the exact date of that flood in the Book of Genesis, Mr Thomas asserts that it happened roughly 6,500 years ago, and there is some archaeological and geological evidence to support that claim.By that logic, Mr Thomas argues that the next catastrophe is imminent.As for what the end of the world will look like, Mr Thomas believes that Earth's magnetic field will suddenly, drastically shift, wreaking havoc across the planet.