1960 doomsday prediction for November 2026 fails as population growth slows
Scientists who predicted human extinction on November 13, 2026, in a 1960 article find their model inaccurate after birth rates declined.
Original 1960 prediction details
An article published in Science in 1960 claimed the human population would reach infinity by November 13, 2026. Authors Heinz von Foerster and his students argued that people would be squeezed to death rather than starve. The mathematical forecasts received sustained scientific attention for decades because the underlying research seemed sound.
Model failure due to behavior change
Birth rates declined significantly over time, causing population growth to slow down considerably. This shift in human behavior revealed that the terrifying prediction had unraveled completely. The event demonstrates how convincing scientific models can fail when people do not follow expected patterns.
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