What if we KNEW that the world was ending in 100 years?

Mark Dill · 08-04-2005, 02:10 PM

I was reading the global warming thread and my wind wandered onto this interesting tangent. What would happen to the world if we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that in 100 years all life on Earth would be destroyed? For instance, the sun is going to explode or something - so moving society to the moon or a space station is not an option.

Imagine the ramifications! What would governments do? What would corporations do? What would wealthy individuals do? Perhaps having children would be outlawed worldwide. Forced vascectomies for all!

Maybe in the short term, things would actually get better? After all, there's no need to stockpile wealth since there will be no one to pass it on to. So it seems a lot more wealth would be spread to the third world nations and the have-nots of society. But at what point would the social order collapse? How would you live your life differently? How long until the economy collapses and people stop working? People still need to eat, so I imagine they still need to work, except for the wealthy who have enough to last until they die.

So many interesting possibilities, I'd love to hear your speculations. Also, is there a movie/book with this premise? Seems like it could be a good scifi story.

Ted Lee · 08-04-2005, 02:13 PM

yeah, could you imagine?

i'd spend as much time as i could with my family and friends. i'd tell them all the awful truths that i was hiding.

i'm pretty sure i'd become much more tolerant of people that drive me crazy.

i'd spend all my money, but then, i'd probably have no job since the company would probably want to go out of business for the same reasons.

i'd buy my porsche on credit, then spend the rest of the time evading the repo guys since i have no money (see above point).

and ... oh yeah ... i'd stop wasting my time in front of a stupid computer ... that's for damn sure!

Mark Dill · 08-04-2005, 02:18 PM

Don't forget - you are still going to live a full and normal life. The only difference is that soon after you are gone, the whole world will be too. How does it change things?

Holadem · 08-04-2005, 02:44 PM

Very interesting question.

You still have all your life a head of you , but no "posterity". Makes one wonder how much of of that enters in the way we live our existence.

Methinks I would be free from the desire to "make the world a better place" 'cause it ain't gonna be around for much longer.

Assuming most people believe the end of the world in a 100 years to be a fact (which is not at all a given):

Basically anything work being done to improve the human condition in general (pretty much any kind of research) will grind to a halt.

Enviremental issues will become vastly irrelevent.

Pursuit of wealth will still exist - no one wants to be poor.

And of course the inevitable dramatic rise in religious fundamentalism.

Just off the top of my head.

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H

Mort Corey · 08-04-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

i'd tell them all the awful truths that i was hiding.

Ted....the world is ending....what's the scoop

Mort (what always likes a good juicy story)

**HTF Ads**

08-04-2005, 03:02 PM

I do not think I would change my behavior at all.

MarkHastings · 08-04-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

The only difference is that soon after you are gone, the whole world will be too. How does it change things?

True, but the big difference (as was already stated) would be about your family. Obviously children would be out of the question...well, maybe you could get away with it right now, but that would depend on what "the end" entailed...if life were to be "normal" up until that last year, then having kids should be ok for the next few years, but if we knew that the last 10-20 years were to be horrid, then maybe I'd think twice.

Other than that, only small things would affect my life. Yes, I'd no longer worry about recycling or global issues...kind of like my old Chevy Chevette (when it was on it's last leg) - "Ride it into the ground!"

BUT! What WOULD change my life, would be all the wackos who would end up doing radical things because of the news. I'm sure the world would get even worse because everyone would probably have a "F** it!" attitude...that would definitely have a big impact on our lives.

Ted Lee · 08-04-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

And of course the inevitable dramatic rise in religious fundamentalism.

good point ... we'll leave it at that.

Quote:

Ted....the world is ending....what's the scoop

as soon as i get scientific validation mort ... you'll be the first to know.

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oh yeah, and don't forget that the r.e.m. song would get played INTO THE GROUND!!!

MarkHastings · 08-04-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

oh yeah, and don't forget that the r.e.m. song would get played INTO THE GROUND!!!

Damn it! You just reminded me of New Years '99 and that damn Prince song "1999".

Ted Lee · 08-04-2005, 03:50 PM

my work here is done ...