End of the world postponed until 2009

The number 7 spot on our list of the worst predictions for 2008 belongs to Dr. Walter Wagner, a leading proponent of the theory that the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland could destroy the entire planet. Several readers have written in to point out that the LHC actually broke down in September before it was ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

The number 7 spot on our list of the worst predictions for 2008 belongs to Dr. Walter Wagner, a leading proponent of the theory that the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland could destroy the entire planet. Several readers have written in to point out that the LHC actually broke down in September before it was fully operational and the most "dangerous" partical collisions could occur. My friend Ben Regenspan of the Huffington Post's humor site 23/6, writes:

The number 7 spot on our list of the worst predictions for 2008 belongs to Dr. Walter Wagner, a leading proponent of the theory that the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland could destroy the entire planet. Several readers have written in to point out that the LHC actually broke down in September before it was fully operational and the most "dangerous" partical collisions could occur. My friend Ben Regenspan of the Huffington Post’s humor site 23/6, writes:

In fairness to the guy who warned about the Large Hadron Collider, when it was still turned on they never had a chance to do any of the interesting things that he thought could destroy the world. It broke after doing some boring warm-up tests. My prediction is the world ends when it comes back online in 2009.

I still feel pretty confident about this one. But if the world does end, we promise to issue a correction and a full apology.

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.