DOOMSDAY TALES

Did you know about these 10 famous failed predictions?

Image: Javier Miranda

Oddly, the idea of the apocalypse has always fascinated humanity. Throughout history, many have predicted the end of the world with fervor and certainty - and many have believed in these predictions with genuine dread.

However, time and time again, these doomsday prophecies have failed to materialize, leaving many scratching their heads or just breathing a sigh of relief. Let's take a look at 10 instances where the world didn't end as predicted.

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Some historians believe that as the first millennium drew to a close, widespread panic gripped Europe, with many fearing the end of the world would coincide with the year 1000. The belief was rooted in Christian theology, as a thousand years had passed since Jesus’ birth. However, when the anticipated end-of-days came, absolutely nothing happened. Some were disappointed, while others hit the snooze button on the prophesized apocalypse until 1033, a thousand years after Jesus’ crucifixion (spoiler alert: they were also wrong).

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In 1499, Johannes Stöffler, a German mathematician and astronomer, predicted that a great flood would engulf the world on February 20, 1524. Stöffler based his prophecy on the alignment of planets under the watery sign of Pisces, believing it foretold a catastrophic deluge. His prophecy was believed by many, and boat builders saw an unexpected boom in sales, with even a German nobleman ordering to build a three-story ark.

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One of the most notable failed doomsday predictions in religious history was the prophesied by William Miller, an American clergyman. Miller predicted the Second Coming of Christ on October 22, 1844, and his prophecy led to an ardent following known as the Millerites. However, when Jesus failed to appear as expected, his followers experienced what they called the "Great Disappointment." Many were justifiably angry, as they had sold their earthly possessions in a hurry, while many others turned to different congregations, or abandoned their beliefs completely.

Image: Steve Busch

As Halley's Comet made its close approach to Earth in 1910, an observatory in Chicago announced that it had detected a toxic gas called cyanogen in the composition of the comet’s tail. Although ridiculous by modern standards, rumors then spread of the danger of the comet's poisonous gas tail, exacerbated by reports from media outlets like The New York Times, which reported that a French astronomer believed the gas could "impregnate the atmosphere" and asphyxiate all life on the planet.

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Famed psychic Edgar Cayce prophesied a series of cataclysmic events he called "Earth Changes," that included the sinking of continents and the shifting of poles among many other catastrophes, during the late 20th century. Despite Cayce's reputation for accuracy in other predictions, these apocalyptic visions never materialized, leaving his followers perplexed.

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In the 1970s, scientists noticed that global temperatures had decreased slightly since the 40s, and some conjectured that this trend could lead to an impending ice age. Though very few scientists actually thought this was likely - and most actually warned of the opposite trend of global warming - sensationalist media quickly picked up the ice age prediction, sparking fears of widespread famine and societal collapse. However, as subsequent research revealed the complexities of climate dynamics, the notion of an imminent ice age apocalypse was thoroughly debunked.

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In 1974, John Gribbin and Stephen Plagemann - two actual scientists for a change - theorized that the tidal forces resulting from the alignment of planets in our solar system, particularly Jupiter, could lead to catastrophic earthquakes in 1982. Though they later reconsidered their position after further research, their predictions gained some traction in the media. Luckily, the supposed effect failed to cause any noticeable disruption, and planetary alignments again proved to be completely harmless to life on Earth.

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The turn of the millennium brought widespread fear of a technological meltdown due to a hypothetical software error known as the Y2K bug. Experts warned of computers crashing and electronically operated infrastructure collapsing as their internal clocks rolled over to the year 2000. Yet, when the clock struck midnight, the anticipated chaos failed to materialize, in part thanks to extensive preparation and updates to computer systems worldwide, but even where little had been done to prevent the error, problems were almost non-existent.

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When the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was switched on in 2008, concerns arose of potential black holes swallowing the Earth or the accidental creation of strange particles that could convert all matter into a new form. Since one of the stated goals of the LHC was actually to simulate microscopic black holes, it was natural for some people without knowledge of the matter to get a little nervous. However, obviously nothing bad happened, and the LHC has operated safely, advancing our understanding of particle physics without bringing about our demise.

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As the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar approached in 2012, speculation ran rampant that it signaled the end of the world. Despite Mayan scholars stating that there were no end of the world prophecies included in the ancient calendar, believers predicted all sorts of crazy catastrophes, from planetary alignment to cataclysmic events. As we all know, December 21, 2012, came and went without incident, proving doomsayers wrong once again.

10 bizarre rules and prohibitions you won't believe still exist

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The world moves forward and modernizes faster than ever, yet the law doesn’t always keep up. Some of the most absurd rules still linger in the laws of certain countries. If you think it’s ridiculous to ban chewing gum, to sing "My Way" at karaoke, or to get drunk in a pub, then this article is for you. Join us as we discover 10 crazy laws that, believe it or not, are still in effect.

Image: Quinten de Graaf

In 1992, Singapore implemented one of the strictest bans in the world: it became illegal to import, produce, or sell chewing gum. In the 1980s and 1990s, the government of this Southeast Asian nation noticed gum stuck everywhere—on sidewalks, in elevators, even on subway door sensors.

To reverse this trend, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who had a vision of order and extreme cleanliness, decreed that chewing gum could not be imported, produced, or sold anywhere in the country. This measure was part of a new model of social discipline that turned Singapore into a beacon of neatness and efficiency envied even by the most developed nations.

Image: Zach Camp

In Kentucky, it is technically illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket. Yes, you heard right. This ban dates back to the 19th century, when horse thieves were in vogue. The story goes that crooks would slip ice cream into their pockets to tempt horses to follow them—avoiding charges of outright theft.

This law was never repealed, so technically, if a Kentucky police officer caught you with ice cream melting in your back pocket, they could cite you. Unlikely? Absolutely. But still on the books!

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In Burundi, as in many other countries, group jogging was once a very popular activity. But when the opposition Movement for Solidarity and Democracy organized a mass jogging event in 2014, things quickly took a turn.

That year, the government of President Pierre Nkurunziza, himself a former PE teacher, banned group jogging, viewing it as a veiled act of subversion. Some participants were even arrested. Despite this heavy-handed measure, the small East African nation has still managed to produce several Olympic athletes. How? Determination seems to outpace the ban.

Image: Victor Rodvang

Watching a favorite artist lip-sync is always disappointing. Turkmenistan took the issue very seriously and decided to do something about it. In 2005, President Saparmurat Niyazov banned lip-syncing throughout the country. The ban applied not only at concerts, but also on television and even at weddings. According to him, lip-syncing harmed the development of musical art.

But this wasn’t the only absurd measure imposed by Niyazov. He also banned opera and ballet, the use of gold teeth, makeup on TV presenters, and pet dogs in the capital. In addition, he renamed the months of the year in honor of his family members and even built a golden statue of himself. A bit egocentric, don’t you think?

Image: Rodrigo Rodrigues | WOLF Λ R T

Since the 1990s, blue jeans have been banned in North Korea because they are seen as a symbol of Western capitalist culture. Tight pants, T-shirts with foreign brand logos, and certain types of haircuts are also prohibited.

Don't believe us? In 2024, North Korean state television broadcast an episode of the BBC series Garden Secrets in which presenter Alan Titchmarsh was wearing jeans. To get around the ban, the network simply blurred out his pants—creating a bizarre image that quickly sparked memes on social media.

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Keeping fish in round bowls is illegal in Rome. Experts argue that they are cruel because they limit oxygenation, distort the fish’s vision, and force constant circular swimming, making them dizzy and stressed.

In 2005, Rome introduced an animal welfare law that banned round fishbowls, along with other measures to protect pets. Over time, other regions of Italy adopted similar rules.

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This absurd rule seems like something out of a Monty Python comedy sketch, but we assure you, it’s completely real. You may be wondering, what exactly "under suspicious circumstances" means? So are we, and it has nothing to do with running away with a salmon under your arm.

The UK’s Salmon Act of 1986 was originally meant to combat illegal salmon fishing. However, as you can imagine, it has caused all kinds of misunderstandings due to its ambiguous language. In 2013, the British Ministry of Justice even reviewed it in a report called Obsolete or Unnecessary Laws. Yet, despite the laughs it inspires, the rule technically remains in force.

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Due to a series of incidents, the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed an ordinance in the 1970s banning anyone over the age of 12 from trick-or-treating on Halloween. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $250.

In 2019, the law went viral and sparked a wave of backlash. In response, city officials relaxed the ordinance and raised the maximum age to 14.

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What’s your go-to karaoke song? If your answer is "My Way" and you’re planning a trip to the Philippines, you might want to change your mind. This unusual rule isn’t written into law, but it’s taken very seriously. In this Southeast Asian country, performing Frank Sinatra’s iconic hit in public is highly discouraged.

Doing so could literally cost you your life. According to lore, there have been several homicides linked to performances of this song in karaoke bars. The phenomenon even has its own chilling nickname: "The My Way Killings." Why this song in particular? Some suggest that the boldness—and even arrogance—of its lyrics has sparked violent confrontations.

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Did you know there’s a rumor that you can be fined for farting in public in Florida? The "catch"? It supposedly only applies if it’s a Thursday and after 6 p.m. We can’t confirm whether it’s true—or how anyone could enforce it—but either way, it’s definitely poor etiquette, so avoid doing it anyway.

Even if this law is just an urban legend, Florida has plenty of other equally absurd ordinances. For instance, it’s illegal to sing in public while wearing a swimsuit; if you tie your pet to a parking meter, you must pay as if it were a car; using a skateboard requires a driver’s license; and falling asleep while getting a haircut is prohibited.

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Technically, it is illegal to get drunk in a pub in the United Kingdom. We know—it sounds ridiculous, especially given the Brits’ well-known love of beer. This rule comes from the Licensing Act of 1872, which states that anyone found drunk in a public place is guilty of a misdemeanor.

This law is as absurd as prohibiting crying at a wake or getting wet in a swimming pool, yet it’s still in force. A more modern version clarifies that it is also illegal to sell alcohol to someone who is visibly drunk—which, frankly, makes a lot more sense!