The World Is Ending, No Biggie

Back in the 16th century, an eminent Italian philosopher and prophet said that the end of the world would be heralded by two consecutive days of snow in Salento, a region in the southernmost "boot" of Italy.

As the Daily Mail notes, Matteo Tafuri, who lived from 1492–1582 and has been dubbed the "Italian Nostradamus," wrote as follows, in nice poetic language: "Salento of palm trees and mild south wind, snowy Salento but never after the touch. Two days of snow, two flashes in the sky, I know the world ends, but I do not yearn." Basically, if it snows a bunch in Salento, Tafuri says it's game over. And, well, I hate to break it to you, but Salento experienced unprecedented snowfall over the weekend:

[instagram align='center' id='BPImtnABeG8']https://www.instagram.com/p/BPImtnABeG8" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" > [instagram align='center' id='BPHvRfghi_Q']https://www.instagram.com/p/BPHvRfghi_Q" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" > [instagram align='center' id='BPHt5YBBChz']https://www.instagram.com/p/BPHt5YBBChz" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" > [instagram align='center' id='BO_8_aRjNmX']https://www.instagram.com/p/BO_8_aRjNmX" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);" >

Yeah, given how things are going in the world, it's hard not to think that the apocalyptic prediction is legit ... however, it seems like every few years an ancient prophecy is dug up by some Debbie downer philosopher saying the world is going to end, and yet we're all still standing. Or at least lying on the couch with a large glass of wine in hand. So don't cancel your Netflix account just yet.