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| Extinction | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 29 2012, 11:44 AM (617 Views) | |
| Jolly | Apr 29 2012, 11:44 AM Post #1 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/were-underestimating-the-risk-of-human-extinction/253821/ |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 04:11 PM Post #2 |
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Senior Carp
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Personally, I'm "hoping" for a major epidemic, which leaves at least 1/3 or so pop. left (indiscriminate re susceptible population). That would allow the remnant to get their act together in the basis of what we've "learned". But these thoughts are hardly new. Note this book reviewed in the NYTIMES (heading "It was fun while it lasted"), author Martin Rees (below). No wonder he had trouble finding a publisher!
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/18/books/it-was-fun-while-it-lasted.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| George K | Apr 29 2012, 04:15 PM Post #3 |
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Finally
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What??? You're "hoping" that an epidemic kills off two thirds of humans on the planet? Is that really what you're saying? Edited by George K, Apr 29 2012, 04:16 PM.
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 04:18 PM Post #4 |
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Senior Carp
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In the sense of, a choice of Evils, only. That would leave humans in existence - and with a chance to rebuild. Naturally I'd prefer that those already in existence muddle along with technological (and moral/ethical) improvements making it possible to make needed adjustments for climate change, population growth, etc. It just seems the odds are against it. Edited by Amanda, Apr 29 2012, 04:19 PM.
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 29 2012, 04:26 PM Post #5 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Evidently it is. One has to wonder what makes her think she will be spared. It also leaves one shaking their head bout the environmental consequences of two thirds of the world's population dying in a relatively short period of time. There will not be enough living to dispose of the dead, to monitor nuclear power plants or anything else, to produce food or energy or anything else it takes to support the two billion remaining humans. But that's OK. In pretty short order there won't be enough left of civilization to fill a thimble. Good luck rebuilding under those circumstances. Edited by Mikhailoh, Apr 29 2012, 04:30 PM.
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 04:34 PM Post #6 |
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Senior Carp
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I don't! This is hypothetical only. Hey, I have two kids! I'm speaking strictly from the standpoint of the survival of the species, which catastrophe would do the least harm. Let me add while I'm engaging in such morbid druthering, that I would also wish the plague were entirely painless. Note some that were NOT: http://www.oddee.com/item_90608.aspx |
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 29 2012, 04:37 PM Post #7 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Words fail. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 04:39 PM Post #8 |
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Senior Carp
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Mikhailoh, this is a thought exercise, not voodoo. Re-read my second post. How can we blithely assume that things will just "be alright"? I'm not WILLING it to happen. The quotation marks were supposed to indicate the premise. |
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| John D'Oh | Apr 29 2012, 04:46 PM Post #9 |
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MAMIL
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People have been saying we're on the verge of extinction for the last 2000 years, and probably long before that. The only difference with this guy is the miserable f*cker has got a PhD rather than billboards attached to himself proclaiming 'The End is Nigh'. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Apr 29 2012, 04:59 PM Post #10 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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I would very much enjoy seeing the Zombie Apocalypse come ino fruition. I make no assumptions about having some sort of speical odds for survivial, I'm fully aware that for the first month or so it will be almost entirely luck of the draw what happens to whom. But I'm okay with that. I'd still like to be around to see it. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 29 2012, 05:23 PM Post #11 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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OK, I can buy that. So hypothetically, what do you think happens once two thirds of the world's population dies? How does civilization collect itself and rebuild? |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Copper | Apr 29 2012, 05:31 PM Post #12 |
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Shortstop
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You do like they did in the 2012 movie, you just let the most civilized survive. How do you decide who are the most civilized? Death squads? No, money, cash money. You want to live? Pay up. You get the right guys and civilization won't miss a beat. |
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The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 05:47 PM Post #13 |
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Senior Carp
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There are plenty of "Science Fiction " books and movies dealing with that scenario. I guess once the mass graves have been dug, it's not "that" hard. The hardest part might be communication. A lot easier, IMO, are worst case scenarios involving over-crowding and other ways of human beings cannibalizing each other - slowly . Note experiments on rat over-crowding. Just to mention a single alternative. Another is rising seas, devastating coastal areas along with monster storms (destroying crops and whole species while leading to "simple" epidemics of typhus, cholera, etc.) .It's no accident that "Science Fiction" has been called the last bastion of what used to be called "Philosophy". Where else does the unthinkable get talked about seriously? Some might say the "slow" disaster is already happening. Do you think the richest and most powerful aren't already engaging in protecting their families against these scenarios? As they amass wealth, they aren't just buying influence. But why should they talk about it? Among other things, it would trash the market! How many powerful people, are willing to just let a calamity occur without pre-planning? Anything with such a high probability (approaching 1 within the century) simply MUST be considered. (There are plenty of popular books out there which aim at helping the less powerful to protect themselves and their families too, but then we're looking at a pitchforks and ammo situation instead of a nice, unapproachable mountain bunker...) Edited by Amanda, Apr 29 2012, 06:03 PM.
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| John D'Oh | Apr 29 2012, 06:01 PM Post #14 |
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MAMIL
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I think the first thing would be to cash in my 401K and Apple shares, and then to buy a ton of food and guns with the proceeds. Not forgetting bullets, obviously. I can just imagine buying a load of guns, and then realising I'd completely forgotton about bullets. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 06:04 PM Post #15 |
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Senior Carp
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Not to mention forgetting one hasn't a clue how to use them!
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| John D'Oh | Apr 29 2012, 06:05 PM Post #16 |
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MAMIL
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Sometimes I think it already has. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Apr 29 2012, 06:06 PM Post #17 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Therein lies the secret! |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 06:15 PM Post #18 |
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Senior Carp
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Manual can openers. That's the main thing to put on ones must-have list! And toilet paper. Hand crank batteries. Scary masks? |
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 29 2012, 06:20 PM Post #19 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Sure.
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Amanda | Apr 29 2012, 06:33 PM Post #20 |
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Senior Carp
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[size=5] We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.[/size] "Daily Telegraph", London July 27 2005 | |
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| ivorythumper | Jun 11 2012, 10:08 AM Post #21 |
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
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| The dogma lives loudly within me. | |
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| Mikhailoh | Jun 11 2012, 10:24 AM Post #22 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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U forgot the Morale Team.
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| John D'Oh | Jun 11 2012, 10:33 AM Post #23 |
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MAMIL
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You want Kathy Griffin to survive the apocalypse just so she can have sex with you, and presumably give you manicure advice? Man, you're freaking sick. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| George K | Jun 11 2012, 10:39 AM Post #24 |
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Finally
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No, that was misguided. This is sick: Spoiler: click to toggle
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| John D'Oh | Jun 11 2012, 10:48 AM Post #25 |
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MAMIL
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Lindsey Lohan's really overdone the plastic surgery this time. |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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Just to mention a single alternative. Another is rising seas, devastating coastal areas along with monster storms (destroying crops and whole species while leading to "simple" epidemics of typhus, cholera, etc.) .

6:32 AM Jul 11