doomsday machine
World-ending weapon
A doomsday machine is a hypothetical weapon designed to destroy all human life automatically in response to an attack—making nuclear war unwinnable by guaranteeing mutual annihilation.
The concept comes from Cold War deterrence theory and was popularized by the film *Dr.
Strangelove*.
Figuratively, any system that triggers catastrophic, irreversible consequences: Social media algorithms have become a doomsday machine for democracy.
- nuclear bombFission or fusion weapon
- cobalt bombNuclear weapon maximizing radiation
- death rayLethal energy weapon
- Cold War strategySuperpower confrontation without direct combat
- superweaponExceptionally powerful military armament
existential risk · extinction event · Dr. Strangelove · mad scientist · nuclear arms race · ethical dilemma · brinkmanship · point of no return · unintended consequences · ticking time bomb · mutually assured destruction · Cuban Missile Crisis · bioweapons · dead hand · rogue states · failsafe · Terminator · moral hazard
- Superweaponsnuclear bomb, atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, neutron bomb, thermonuclear bomb
doomsday machinelife support system
Machinery maintaining vital functions
ark · seed vault · shield · defense system · sanctuary
doomsday machinesurgical strike
Targeted operation minimizing damage
smart bomb · non-lethal weapon · shield · missile defense · sniper rifle
doomsday machinegeneration ship
Multigenerational interstellar spacecraft
time capsule · survival bunker · Noah's Ark · colony ship · backup system
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