138 BILLION TO ZERO

Current Odds of the World Ending: Approximately 138 billion people have lived on Earth. Throughout history, many of them have wondered: Is the world ending? Some have drastically changed their lifestyles based on this fear, while others lived cautiously, haunted by this possibility.

The "world is ending" message is as old as the first people on the planet.

• Year 1000: Many Europeans believed the world would end, causing widespread panic.
• Y2K Survival Kit Surge: In 2000, survival kit sales surged over 70% due to Y2K fears.
• Year 1666: The Great Fire of London fueled apocalyptic fears.
• Economic Impact: Billions have been spent on doomsday preparations, with the survival gear market projected to reach $4 billion by 2025.

Multi-Level Marketing

The recent surge in political and apocalyptic fears reminds me of the fervor of a multi-level marketer. Both play on deep-seated anxieties and promise some sort of salvation as a remedy. The ulterior motives driving these messages are crucial to understanding their origin and potential impact.

I fell for a MLM pitch as a high school freshman. My best friend's older brother introduced me to a prepaid long-distance calling card. Despite my dad's warnings, I invested my money, hoping to get rich. While I earned a few dollars, it was nothing compared to the time I wasted.

Brands like Amway, Avon, Advocare, and Young Living urge people to unintentionally exploit personal relationships in exchange for financial gain. I recall these waves hitting the local church I led. An elder became furious when I refused to let him pitch his opportunity to the congregation, leading to multiple threats from his "downstream." How could I prevent God's kingdom from expanding? Within weeks, the promised potential collapsed, and those who followed him were left with more (+) disappointment and less (-) credibility.

The phenomenon parallels the "end of the world" narrative promoted by news channels, doomsday preppers, and even some religious institutions. Both use fear and ideas about the future to manipulate people for personal gain. The ulterior motives behind these messages are clear: profit, control, and influence.

The odds of those wasting their lives in fear of the world ending versus those embracing uncertainty and inspiring change in themselves are staggering.

Instead of succumbing to fear, let’s channel our energy into creating something new and beautiful.