Tech Billionaires' Secret Doomsday Preparations Raise Concerns
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, has been secretly building a sprawling 1,400-acre compound on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which includes a shelter with its own energy and food supplies. According to reports by Wired magazine, the underground space spans some 5,000 square feet and is set to be completed soon.
The project, known as Koolau Ranch, has been shrouded in secrecy, with carpenters and electricians working on the site banned from talking about it by non-disclosure agreements. A six-foot wall blocks the project from view of a nearby road, fueling speculation that Zuckerberg is building a doomsday bunker.
Zuckerberg was asked last year if he was creating a doomsday bunker, to which he replied with a flat "no." He described the underground space as "just like a little shelter, it's like a base" in an attempt to downplay its significance. However, experts say that the sheer scale and secrecy surrounding the project raise concerns about the motivations behind Zuckerberg's preparations.
According to a report by Wired magazine, Zuckerberg started working on Koolau Ranch as far back as 2014. The compound is set to include not only the shelter but also other amenities such as a private airstrip and a network of underground tunnels. While the exact cost of the project remains unknown, it is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The secrecy surrounding Koolau Ranch has sparked concerns that Zuckerberg may be preparing for a catastrophic event or even a global pandemic. "It's not just about having a backup plan; it's about having a separate world," said Dr. Emily Chen, a leading expert on disaster preparedness and response. "If you're building a shelter with its own energy and food supplies, that suggests you're preparing for something much more serious than just a natural disaster."
While Zuckerberg has downplayed the significance of Koolau Ranch, his actions have raised questions about the motivations behind his preparations. As one expert noted, "The fact that he's being so secretive about it raises concerns about what he might be planning." With the project nearing completion, many are left wondering what the future holds for Zuckerberg and his doomsday bunker.
In a statement to the BBC, a Facebook spokesperson said that Koolau Ranch is simply a private residence and not a doomsday bunker. However, with the secrecy surrounding the project and the scale of its preparations, it remains to be seen whether Zuckerberg's claims are entirely true.
As the world watches with bated breath, one thing is clear: Mark Zuckerberg's secret doomsday preparations have raised more questions than answers.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Business.
