Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night, wondering if a jar of marbles could destroy the world? While this might seem like a completely absurd idle thought, it may surprise you to learn that it is actually a legitimate scientific question that has recently been answered with a resounding “no”!

International researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted an experiment to see whether or not a jar of marbles could cause enough of a disturbance on a large scale to make the world implode. The results? Absolutely not!

While the experiment tested the plausibility of a theoretical disaster on a physically large scale, computer modeling of the experiment showed that even if the jar of marbles were large enough to create a great disturbance to the environment, it would still not be enough to cause any world-wide disruption.

So what does this mean for our species? Thankfully, it means that we can rest assured knowing that a jar of marbles is not capable of destroying us. It also means that we can focus our energy on the real things that drive us as a species, such as our emotions, relationships, and scientific progress.

So, the next time you find yourself sleeplessly re-imagining a nightmarish scenario sparked by a jar of marbles, be sure to rest your head knowing that—while they can certainly cause a great deal of trouble—it is highly unlikely they will drive us all to extinction.