People have been predicting the end of the world forever. They’ve always been wrong. Maybe we’re wrong today, too.

So, we’re looking back at three past dooms predicted in the 20th century, none of which arrived as advertised. Why not? What can we learn? Does it mean that the current biggest end-of-the-world fears may be overblown, misunderstood, or — with effort — preventable? Along the way: failed utopias, dystopias, and the animal Ben fears most: the mini-hippo.

Guest: Matt Novak, journalist at Gizmodo and long-time author of the Paleofuture blog.

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