Scientists revise their forecast on humanity's proximity to doomsday.

The Doomsday Clock, designed in 1947 by a group of scientists who worked on the atomic weapon, shows how near humanity could be to annihilation. The clock has been set further or closer to midnight over the years in response to an increasingly diversified spectrum of dangers, including nuclear capabilities and climate change. In January, scientists revealed what time they predict we will be in 2025.

On Sunday afternoon, I attended the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Early in the fourth quarter, the Philadelphia Eagles were positioned at the Washington Commanders’ 1-yard line, preparing to execute their nearly unstoppable Brotherly Shove play. (Stay with me—this does connect to Future Perfect.)

Facing an almost certain touchdown, the outmatched commanders took an unconventional approach. A defender deliberately jumped offside, drawing an encroachment penalty. Then they did it again. And again. Each time, the referees moved the ball half the distance to the goal line, as per the rule for defensive penalties near the end zone. It appeared the commanders were willing to repeat this tactic indefinitely.