welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten
counting down our picks for the top ten historical predictions that turned out
historical predictions that turned out
historical predictions that turned out to be false for this list we’re looking
to be false for this list we’re looking
to be false for this list we’re looking at prophecies guesses or projections
at prophecies guesses or projections
at prophecies guesses or projections that were made in history that turned
that were made in history that turned
that were made in history that turned out to be painfully painfully false
out to be painfully painfully false
out to be painfully painfully false these include some of the worst future
these include some of the worst future
these include some of the worst future forecasts by notable individuals
forecasts by notable individuals
forecasts by notable individuals regarding significant historic events be
regarding significant historic events be
regarding significant historic events be at the end of the world medicine science
at the end of the world medicine science
at the end of the world medicine science war or politics we’re also taking into
war or politics we’re also taking into
war or politics we’re also taking into account who supposedly made the
account who supposedly made the
account who supposedly made the prediction because if it’s someone who
prediction because if it’s someone who
prediction because if it’s someone who should have known better
should have known better
should have known better it makes the fail that much worse it’s
it makes the fail that much worse it’s
it makes the fail that much worse it’s very difficult to fall see what may
very difficult to fall see what may
very difficult to fall see what may happen many many years ahead number 10
happen many many years ahead number 10
happen many many years ahead number 10 this book shouldn’t shock anyone’s
this book shouldn’t shock anyone’s
this book shouldn’t shock anyone’s religious sensibilities Charles Darwin
religious sensibilities Charles Darwin
religious sensibilities Charles Darwin on on the Origin of Species Darwin was
on on the Origin of Species Darwin was
on on the Origin of Species Darwin was unleashing a new vision of nature less
unleashing a new vision of nature less
unleashing a new vision of nature less species evolved independently from the
species evolved independently from the
species evolved independently from the guiding hand of a creator
guiding hand of a creator
guiding hand of a creator science versus religion evolution versus
science versus religion evolution versus
science versus religion evolution versus creationism it’s an ongoing debate that
creationism it’s an ongoing debate that
creationism it’s an ongoing debate that may never truly be settled but Charles
may never truly be settled but Charles
may never truly be settled but Charles Darwin really rocked the boat shouldn’t
Darwin really rocked the boat shouldn’t
Darwin really rocked the boat shouldn’t men of science be free to investigate
men of science be free to investigate
men of science be free to investigate each and every means by which new
each and every means by which new
each and every means by which new species come into being if by that you
species come into being if by that you
species come into being if by that you mean wild accusations about man’s
mean wild accusations about man’s
mean wild accusations about man’s ancestry the answer is no to destroy
ancestry the answer is no to destroy
ancestry the answer is no to destroy man’s unique status is to open the
man’s unique status is to open the
man’s unique status is to open the floodgates to anarchy this
floodgates to anarchy this
floodgates to anarchy this groundbreaking book suggested all beings
groundbreaking book suggested all beings
groundbreaking book suggested all beings were descended from the same ancestors
were descended from the same ancestors
were descended from the same ancestors scientifically describing the theory of
scientifically describing the theory of
scientifically describing the theory of evolution to say he saw no good reason
evolution to say he saw no good reason
evolution to say he saw no good reason why the views given in this volume
why the views given in this volume
why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities
should shock the religious sensibilities
should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone was a pipe dream Darwin
of anyone was a pipe dream Darwin
of anyone was a pipe dream Darwin certainly didn’t think that evolution
certainly didn’t think that evolution
certainly didn’t think that evolution spoke either for or against the
spoke either for or against the
spoke either for or against the unprovable existence of God or a form of
unprovable existence of God or a form of
unprovable existence of God or a form of God Darwin’s On the Origin of Species
God Darwin’s On the Origin of Species
God Darwin’s On the Origin of Species not only presented mankind with another
not only presented mankind with another
not only presented mankind with another point of view on life and existence it
point of view on life and existence it
point of view on life and existence it also challenged religious beliefs
also challenged religious beliefs
also challenged religious beliefs shocking
shocking
shocking in Italy that’s a very great assumption
in Italy that’s a very great assumption
in Italy that’s a very great assumption Charles well if I’m wrong about that I’m
Charles well if I’m wrong about that I’m
Charles well if I’m wrong about that I’m wrong about everything number 9 I have
wrong about everything number 9 I have
wrong about everything number 9 I have no faith in aerial navigation other than
no faith in aerial navigation other than
no faith in aerial navigation other than ballooning William Thompson the Lord
ballooning William Thompson the Lord
ballooning William Thompson the Lord Kelvin Civil Aviation is in the news as
Kelvin Civil Aviation is in the news as
Kelvin Civil Aviation is in the news as one of the new empire flying boat zooms
one of the new empire flying boat zooms
one of the new empire flying boat zooms over the fairy airfield it gives a
over the fairy airfield it gives a
over the fairy airfield it gives a rolling send-off to this year’s Royal
rolling send-off to this year’s Royal
rolling send-off to this year’s Royal Aeronautical Society’s garden party in
Aeronautical Society’s garden party in
Aeronautical Society’s garden party in which Amy Johnson demonstrates a new
which Amy Johnson demonstrates a new
which Amy Johnson demonstrates a new glider air travel has received plenty of
glider air travel has received plenty of
glider air travel has received plenty of scrutiny over the years but one of the
scrutiny over the years but one of the
scrutiny over the years but one of the most famous cynics was the late
most famous cynics was the late
most famous cynics was the late mathematical physicist the Lord Kelvin
mathematical physicist the Lord Kelvin
mathematical physicist the Lord Kelvin he actually replied to an invitation
he actually replied to an invitation
he actually replied to an invitation from the Royal Aeronautical Society to
from the Royal Aeronautical Society to
from the Royal Aeronautical Society to join their ranks by saying I have not
join their ranks by saying I have not
join their ranks by saying I have not the smallest molecule of faith in aerial
the smallest molecule of faith in aerial
the smallest molecule of faith in aerial navigation other than ballooning or of
navigation other than ballooning or of
navigation other than ballooning or of expectation of good results from any of
expectation of good results from any of
expectation of good results from any of the trials we hear of as we all know
the trials we hear of as we all know
the trials we hear of as we all know aircraft have become incredibly
aircraft have become incredibly
aircraft have become incredibly important to world travel so this one
important to world travel so this one
important to world travel so this one was proven most definitely false I
was proven most definitely false I
was proven most definitely false I believe that over time we will all move
believe that over time we will all move
believe that over time we will all move around the planet in a very different
around the planet in a very different
around the planet in a very different way
selling planes to rich people is more
selling planes to rich people is more fun than rock and roll this is buck and
fun than rock and roll this is buck and
fun than rock and roll this is buck and well for grown arms number eight there
well for grown arms number eight there
well for grown arms number eight there is no likelihood man can ever tap the
is no likelihood man can ever tap the
is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom Robert Millikan winner
power of the atom Robert Millikan winner
power of the atom Robert Millikan winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics when
of the Nobel Prize for Physics when
of the Nobel Prize for Physics when things break apart they tend to release
things break apart they tend to release
things break apart they tend to release the energy stored in whatever was
the energy stored in whatever was
the energy stored in whatever was holding them together
holding them together
holding them together now it doesn’t matter whether that’s an
now it doesn’t matter whether that’s an
now it doesn’t matter whether that’s an atom or a stretched elastic band
atom or a stretched elastic band
atom or a stretched elastic band although the atom was split back in 1917
although the atom was split back in 1917
although the atom was split back in 1917 harnessing its energy was a different
harnessing its energy was a different
harnessing its energy was a different thing altogether with many brain boxes
thing altogether with many brain boxes
thing altogether with many brain boxes working on the ins and outs of it one
working on the ins and outs of it one
working on the ins and outs of it one physicist Robert Millikan claimed that
physicist Robert Millikan claimed that
physicist Robert Millikan claimed that man would never fully harness its power
man would never fully harness its power
man would never fully harness its power well it may have been a scattered time
well it may have been a scattered time
well it may have been a scattered time line of progression with the first
line of progression with the first
line of progression with the first nuclear bomb test in 1945 and the first
nuclear bomb test in 1945 and the first
nuclear bomb test in 1945 and the first nuclear power station in 1954 but it was
nuclear power station in 1954 but it was
nuclear power station in 1954 but it was finally accomplished and voila
finally accomplished and voila
finally accomplished and voila electricity on demand and Nobel Prize
electricity on demand and Nobel Prize
electricity on demand and Nobel Prize winner taken down a peg and why I end up
winner taken down a peg and why I end up
winner taken down a peg and why I end up with is two smaller high-energy elements
with is two smaller high-energy elements
with is two smaller high-energy elements flying off in opposite directions now
flying off in opposite directions now
flying off in opposite directions now when that’s an atom those two smash into
when that’s an atom those two smash into
when that’s an atom those two smash into their surroundings warming things up
their surroundings warming things up
their surroundings warming things up number seven I do not foresee spaceships
number seven I do not foresee spaceships
number seven I do not foresee spaceships to the Moon or Mars
to the Moon or Mars
to the Moon or Mars dr. lee deforest an American inventor
dr. lee deforest an American inventor
dr. lee deforest an American inventor space exploration a subject packed with
space exploration a subject packed with
space exploration a subject packed with interesting foreshadowing the way the
interesting foreshadowing the way the
interesting foreshadowing the way the situation is like that in Europe the
situation is like that in Europe the
situation is like that in Europe the core 1492 the general consensus in the
core 1492 the general consensus in the
core 1492 the general consensus in the early 20th century was that man might
early 20th century was that man might
early 20th century was that man might never reach the moon but DeForest took
never reach the moon but DeForest took
never reach the moon but DeForest took that thought further saying that to
that thought further saying that to
that thought further saying that to place a man in a multi-stage rocket and
place a man in a multi-stage rocket and
place a man in a multi-stage rocket and project him into the controlling
project him into the controlling
project him into the controlling gravitational field of the Moon all that
gravitational field of the Moon all that
gravitational field of the Moon all that constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules
constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules
constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules Verne I am bold enough to say that such
Verne I am bold enough to say that such
Verne I am bold enough to say that such a man made voyage will never occur
a man made voyage will never occur
a man made voyage will never occur regardless of all future advances this
regardless of all future advances this
regardless of all future advances this theory was of course smashed to
theory was of course smashed to
theory was of course smashed to smithereens following the space race and
smithereens following the space race and
smithereens following the space race and a subsequent moon landing in 1969 upon
a subsequent moon landing in 1969 upon
a subsequent moon landing in 1969 upon all fair plan
on biathlete number six stock prices
on biathlete number six stock prices have reached a permanently high plateau
have reached a permanently high plateau
have reached a permanently high plateau Irving Fisher and American economist the
Irving Fisher and American economist the
Irving Fisher and American economist the stock market is unpredictable so the
stock market is unpredictable so the
stock market is unpredictable so the last thing you want to do is bet your
last thing you want to do is bet your
last thing you want to do is bet your reputation on whether it’s going to
reputation on whether it’s going to
reputation on whether it’s going to thrive or plummet stocks have fallen in
thrive or plummet stocks have fallen in
thrive or plummet stocks have fallen in a weak 30% and a week ago they had
a weak 30% and a week ago they had
a weak 30% and a week ago they had fallen some 10% from the previous high
fallen some 10% from the previous high
fallen some 10% from the previous high of this year unfortunately that’s
of this year unfortunately that’s
of this year unfortunately that’s exactly what economist Irving Fisher did
exactly what economist Irving Fisher did
exactly what economist Irving Fisher did in October 1929 October 24th 1929 Black
in October 1929 October 24th 1929 Black
in October 1929 October 24th 1929 Black Thursday is often considered to be the
Thursday is often considered to be the
Thursday is often considered to be the beginning of the crash he claimed the
beginning of the crash he claimed the
beginning of the crash he claimed the market had reached what looked like a
market had reached what looked like a
market had reached what looked like a permanently high plateau three days
permanently high plateau three days
permanently high plateau three days later the stock market famously crashed
later the stock market famously crashed
later the stock market famously crashed leading to the Great Depression it was a
leading to the Great Depression it was a
leading to the Great Depression it was a while before people listened to fishers
while before people listened to fishers
while before people listened to fishers to sense again and it was also a while
to sense again and it was also a while
to sense again and it was also a while before he had to sense again as he lost
before he had to sense again as he lost
before he had to sense again as he lost his fortune in the crash possibly in the
his fortune in the crash possibly in the
his fortune in the crash possibly in the end this experience to some people may
end this experience to some people may
end this experience to some people may be a blessing in disguise number five
be a blessing in disguise number five
be a blessing in disguise number five there will not be a woman prime minister
there will not be a woman prime minister
there will not be a woman prime minister in my time Margaret Thatcher the UK’s
in my time Margaret Thatcher the UK’s
in my time Margaret Thatcher the UK’s first female prime minister and would
first female prime minister and would
first female prime minister and would you like to see a woman Prime Minister I
you like to see a woman Prime Minister I
you like to see a woman Prime Minister I think it depends upon who the person is
think it depends upon who the person is
think it depends upon who the person is I don’t think there will be a woman
I don’t think there will be a woman
I don’t think there will be a woman Prime Minister in my lifetime even in
Prime Minister in my lifetime even in
Prime Minister in my lifetime even in her political career Thatcher was tapped
her political career Thatcher was tapped
her political career Thatcher was tapped as a potential United Kingdom prime
as a potential United Kingdom prime
as a potential United Kingdom prime minister but not if you asked her famous
minister but not if you asked her famous
minister but not if you asked her famous for her ballsy attitude the Iron Lady
for her ballsy attitude the Iron Lady
for her ballsy attitude the Iron Lady was determined to make her views known
was determined to make her views known
was determined to make her views known on the topic saying there will not be a
on the topic saying there will not be a
on the topic saying there will not be a woman Prime Minister in my lifetime the
woman Prime Minister in my lifetime the
woman Prime Minister in my lifetime the male population is too prejudiced well
male population is too prejudiced well
male population is too prejudiced well this was proven wrong in 1979 when a
this was proven wrong in 1979 when a
this was proven wrong in 1979 when a woman finally took office and it was
woman finally took office and it was
woman finally took office and it was none other than that herself
none other than that herself
none other than that herself we bet she was happy to be wrong you see
we bet she was happy to be wrong you see
we bet she was happy to be wrong you see you might be in for one Parliament and
you might be in for one Parliament and
you might be in for one Parliament and out for the next now that’s why it’s
out for the next now that’s why it’s
out for the next now that’s why it’s important that you should also have
important that you should also have
important that you should also have another career to turn to so that when
another career to turn to so that when
another career to turn to so that when you’re thrown out you can earn your
you’re thrown out you can earn your
you’re thrown out you can earn your living straight away in some other way
living straight away in some other way
living straight away in some other way number four you will be home before the
number four you will be home before the
number four you will be home before the leaves for
leaves for
leaves for from the trees kaiser wilhelm ii two
from the trees kaiser wilhelm ii two
from the trees kaiser wilhelm ii two German soldiers in World War one
German soldiers in World War one
German soldiers in World War one rallying troops to boost morale is one
rallying troops to boost morale is one
rallying troops to boost morale is one thing but be careful of making promises
thing but be careful of making promises
thing but be careful of making promises someone should have told that to Kaiser
someone should have told that to Kaiser
someone should have told that to Kaiser Wilhelm the second before he spoke to
Wilhelm the second before he spoke to
Wilhelm the second before he spoke to his troops in 1914 suggesting that the
his troops in 1914 suggesting that the
his troops in 1914 suggesting that the first world war would be over before the
first world war would be over before the
first world war would be over before the end of the autumn months the German
end of the autumn months the German
end of the autumn months the German emperor must have had hopes high among
emperor must have had hopes high among
emperor must have had hopes high among his soldiers who could know the war
his soldiers who could know the war
his soldiers who could know the war would last another four years not the
would last another four years not the
would last another four years not the Kaiser that’s for sure please be God’s
Kaiser that’s for sure please be God’s
Kaiser that’s for sure please be God’s help you are winning a glorious victory
help you are winning a glorious victory
help you are winning a glorious victory for the fatherland number three it is
for the fatherland number three it is
for the fatherland number three it is time to close the book on infectious
time to close the book on infectious
time to close the book on infectious diseases William H Stewart the Surgeon
diseases William H Stewart the Surgeon
diseases William H Stewart the Surgeon General of the United States it’s with
General of the United States it’s with
General of the United States it’s with great dismay that we deny the truth of
great dismay that we deny the truth of
great dismay that we deny the truth of this quote credited to Surgeon General
this quote credited to Surgeon General
this quote credited to Surgeon General William H Stewart though he claims never
William H Stewart though he claims never
William H Stewart though he claims never to have said it the quote suggests that
to have said it the quote suggests that
to have said it the quote suggests that all infection had been eradicated from
all infection had been eradicated from
all infection had been eradicated from the US for good by the late 1960s of
the US for good by the late 1960s of
the US for good by the late 1960s of course that’s slightly more out there
course that’s slightly more out there
course that’s slightly more out there than professor Pierre Pasha’s 1872
than professor Pierre Pasha’s 1872
than professor Pierre Pasha’s 1872 speculation that Louis Pasteur’s theory
speculation that Louis Pasteur’s theory
speculation that Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous fiction not only
of germs is ridiculous fiction not only
of germs is ridiculous fiction not only are germs not endangered and resistant
are germs not endangered and resistant
are germs not endangered and resistant to antibiotics while many infections
to antibiotics while many infections
to antibiotics while many infections such as AIDS arose in the years since
such as AIDS arose in the years since
such as AIDS arose in the years since this hypothesis was made number 2
this hypothesis was made number 2
this hypothesis was made number 2 democracy will be dead by 1950 John
democracy will be dead by 1950 John
democracy will be dead by 1950 John Langdon Davies a British journalist this
Langdon Davies a British journalist this
Langdon Davies a British journalist this little ditty comes from British
little ditty comes from British
little ditty comes from British journalist and author John Langdon
journalist and author John Langdon
journalist and author John Langdon Davies a famed war correspondent Langdon
Davies a famed war correspondent Langdon
Davies a famed war correspondent Langdon Davies was prone to comment on fascism
Davies was prone to comment on fascism
Davies was prone to comment on fascism and war but his statement about the
and war but his statement about the
and war but his statement about the imminent death of democracy is one
imminent death of democracy is one
imminent death of democracy is one prophecy that really stands out in his
prophecy that really stands out in his
prophecy that really stands out in his 1936 book a short history of the future
1936 book a short history of the future
1936 book a short history of the future the author states that in a battle
the author states that in a battle
the author states that in a battle between dictatorships and democracies
between dictatorships and democracies
between dictatorships and democracies the totalitarian regimes are going to
the totalitarian regimes are going to
the totalitarian regimes are going to win plain and simple of course 1950 came
win plain and simple of course 1950 came
win plain and simple of course 1950 came and went and democracy was as strong as
and went and democracy was as strong as
and went and democracy was as strong as ever
ever
ever why are you guys so anti dictators
why are you guys so anti dictators
why are you guys so anti dictators imagine if America was a dictatorship
imagine if America was a dictatorship
imagine if America was a dictatorship you could let 1% of the people have all
you could let 1% of the people have all
you could let 1% of the people have all the nation’s wealth you could help your
the nation’s wealth you could help your
the nation’s wealth you could help your rich friends
rich friends
rich friends get richer by cutting their taxes and
get richer by cutting their taxes and
get richer by cutting their taxes and bailing them out when they gamble and
bailing them out when they gamble and
bailing them out when they gamble and lose before we reveal our number one
lose before we reveal our number one
lose before we reveal our number one prediction fail in history here are a
prediction fail in history here are a
prediction fail in history here are a few honorable mentions now let’s examine
few honorable mentions now let’s examine
few honorable mentions now let’s examine the dial itself for just a moment for
the dial itself for just a moment for
the dial itself for just a moment for convenience in dialing the letters go
convenience in dialing the letters go
convenience in dialing the letters go around the dial in alphabetical order
around the dial in alphabetical order
around the dial in alphabetical order and the numbers are in numerical order
and the numbers are in numerical order
and the numbers are in numerical order well you’re on today apparently a woman
well you’re on today apparently a woman
well you’re on today apparently a woman rang the BBC and said you heard that as
rang the BBC and said you heard that as
rang the BBC and said you heard that as a hurricane on the way well if you’re
a hurricane on the way well if you’re
a hurricane on the way well if you’re watching don’t worry there isn’t for the
watching don’t worry there isn’t for the
watching don’t worry there isn’t for the next few hours you see that purple line
next few hours you see that purple line
next few hours you see that purple line that’s our PI on its journey headed for
that’s our PI on its journey headed for
that’s our PI on its journey headed for Memphis Tennessee on March 1st of 2010
Memphis Tennessee on March 1st of 2010
Memphis Tennessee on March 1st of 2010 the Oxford Eagle made a very special
the Oxford Eagle made a very special
the Oxford Eagle made a very special delivery its new website which took five
delivery its new website which took five
delivery its new website which took five months and a professional website
months and a professional website
months and a professional website designer to develop as possible are
designer to develop as possible are
designer to develop as possible are sterling Camille I try to do my best to
sterling Camille I try to do my best to
sterling Camille I try to do my best to ensure the drilling is done in the most
ensure the drilling is done in the most
ensure the drilling is done in the most safe efficient and environmentally sound
safe efficient and environmentally sound
safe efficient and environmentally sound way drilling projects are more and more
way drilling projects are more and more
way drilling projects are more and more complex as the search for oil and gas
complex as the search for oil and gas
complex as the search for oil and gas and harsh environments become more
and harsh environments become more
and harsh environments become more common number one December 21st 2012
common number one December 21st 2012
common number one December 21st 2012 will mark the end of the world
will mark the end of the world
will mark the end of the world conspiracy theorists interpreting the
conspiracy theorists interpreting the
conspiracy theorists interpreting the Mayan calendar the Mayan calendars don’t
Mayan calendar the Mayan calendars don’t
Mayan calendar the Mayan calendars don’t end they reset we’re about to begin a
end they reset we’re about to begin a
end they reset we’re about to begin a whole new great cycle and it’s actually
whole new great cycle and it’s actually
whole new great cycle and it’s actually a period of celebration rebirth and good
a period of celebration rebirth and good
a period of celebration rebirth and good luck throughout history many people have
luck throughout history many people have
luck throughout history many people have prophesized the end of the world and
prophesized the end of the world and
prophesized the end of the world and when someone says the world will end on
when someone says the world will end on
when someone says the world will end on a specific date people listen especially
a specific date people listen especially
a specific date people listen especially if the source is a 5,000 year old
if the source is a 5,000 year old
if the source is a 5,000 year old Mesoamerican calendar said if Mayan Long
Mesoamerican calendar said if Mayan Long
Mesoamerican calendar said if Mayan Long Count calendar suggested that a big
Count calendar suggested that a big
Count calendar suggested that a big change would befall the earth on
change would befall the earth on
change would befall the earth on December 21st 2012 and while some
December 21st 2012 and while some
December 21st 2012 and while some interpreted that in a positive way glass
interpreted that in a positive way glass
interpreted that in a positive way glass half-empty folks thought it spelled the
half-empty folks thought it spelled the
half-empty folks thought it spelled the end of civilization as we know it with
end of civilization as we know it with
end of civilization as we know it with the date looming people in many
the date looming people in many
the date looming people in many Mesoamerican countries got together for
Mesoamerican countries got together for
Mesoamerican countries got together for festive commemorations the apocalypse
festive commemorations the apocalypse
festive commemorations the apocalypse was a no-show in this crazy was the
was a no-show in this crazy was the
was a no-show in this crazy was the culture when something go to the end is
culture when something go to the end is
culture when something go to the end is come negative predictions like the
come negative predictions like the
come negative predictions like the ancient in the destruction or many
ancient in the destruction or many
ancient in the destruction or many ladies but not in the Mayan culture do
ladies but not in the Mayan culture do
ladies but not in the Mayan culture do you agree with our list
you agree with our list
you agree with our list which historical forecasts do you think
which historical forecasts do you think
which historical forecasts do you think we’re way off the mark
we’re way off the mark
we’re way off the mark for more head scratching top 10s
for more head scratching top 10s
for more head scratching top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe
published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com well there may be
to watchmojo.com well there may be
to watchmojo.com well there may be primitive life in our region of the
primitive life in our region of the
primitive life in our region of the galaxy there don’t seem to be any
galaxy there don’t seem to be any
galaxy there don’t seem to be any advanced intelligent beings
”
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