The New York Times · 18 Sep, 09:04 · Technology briefing

Opinion | Humanity Has Avoided Apocalypse Before. Let’s Do It Again.

This opinion piece argues that humanity has historically survived existential threats through collective action and resilience.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

This opinion piece argues that humanity has historically survived existential threats through collective action and resilience. The author suggests that current global crises, while severe, are not unprecedented. By examining past successes in averting disaster, the article encourages a pragmatic approach to present challenges. It posits that avoiding apocalypse requires sustained effort, cooperation, and learning from historical precedents rather than succumbing to fatalism. The narrative focuses on the capacity for human adaptation and the importance of maintaining perspective during periods of significant global uncertainty and potential catastrophe.

Employer demand for Crisis Management skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must cultivate resilience and strategic foresight to thrive in an era defined by systemic risk. Traditional stability is fading; employers now value professionals who can navigate uncertainty with calm authority. Prioritise crisis management and risk mitigation skills to distinguish yourself. You should actively develop the ability to make sound decisions under pressure, as organisations seek leaders who can guide teams through volatility. Focus on building cross-functional communication networks, as collaboration is essential for survival. A smart professional audits their current role for resilience gaps and upskills in adaptive leadership. You must demonstrate that you can maintain operational continuity during disruption. This shift demands emotional intelligence and strategic agility, moving beyond technical expertise to encompass holistic problem-solving capabilities in high-stakes environments.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Crisis Management, Risk Management Strategies, Leadership and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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