A groundbreaking new book reveals how a group of scientists in the 1970s confronted a potential global catastrophe—one that could have reshaped civilization—by collaborating across disciplines to assess and mitigate an unprecedented threat. Drawing parallels to today’s existential risks, the account explores how researchers grappled with uncertainty, public skepticism, and high-stakes decision-making to prevent disaster. The story underscores the challenges of balancing scientific caution with urgent action when the stakes could not be higher. For those interested in the intersection of science, policy, and survival, this deep dive into a forgotten crisis offers striking lessons for our own era.
‘I Write This to Frighten You’: How Scientists Took On Existential Risk Once Before nytimes.com
