A stark mathematical prophecy, formulated over six decades ago, has resurfaced with a terrifyingly specific date for a potential global catastrophe: Friday, November 13, 2026. This prediction stems not from ancient scripture or a modern-day cult leader, but from a sober academic paper published in the prestigious journal Science.
The 1960 Equation That Foresees Infinity
In November 1960, three researchers from the University of Illinois—Heinz von Foerster, Patricia M. Mora, and Lawrence W. Amiot—published their alarming findings. By analysing population growth trends across the preceding century in Western society, they developed a model that projected a date when the global population would, mathematically, “tend towards infinity.”
Their work highlighted how medical advances were causing a sharp acceleration on the population graph. Unlike predictions involving asteroids or nuclear war, their vision of doom centred on the seemingly unstoppable force of overpopulation. They warned that this unchecked growth would lead to a world incapable of producing enough food for everyone.
From Three Billion to Eight Billion: The Malthusian Shadow
The context of their prediction is crucial. When the paper was written, Earth was home to roughly three billion people. As we move through 2026, that number has ballooned to over eight billion, with the peak of global population growth not expected until around 2080.
This echoes the much earlier warnings of British economist Thomas Malthus, who in 1798 argued that population growth (exponential) would inevitably outstrip food production (arithmetic), leading to famine. Thus far, technological advances in agriculture have kept Malthusian catastrophe at bay, but the underlying mathematical tension identified by Foerster and his team remains a subject of grim fascination.
Billionaire Bunkers and Preparing for the Worst
Whether convinced by such equations or simply hedging their bets, some of the world’s wealthiest individuals appear to be preparing for a breakdown. Mark Zuckerberg has invested $187 million in a vast Hawaiian estate, reportedly constructing a 5,000-square-foot underground bunker with independent energy and food supplies.
Similarly, Jeff Bezos has spent heavily on defensible properties in Florida, while billionaire Larry Ellison owns most of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. These locations, while luxurious, also offer strategic isolation reminiscent of the brutal, resource-scarce worlds depicted in apocalyptic films.
The equation from 1960 presents a chilling ‘what if’ scenario rooted in cold, hard data. While the world has so far avoided the precise collapse it forecast, the relentless pressure of population growth continues to be one of humanity's most profound and complex challenges.
