Comment Humans vs. nature (Score 1) 509
I intuitively voted for Asteroid. Then I worked out why, coming to some interesting conclusions along the way.
Asteroid - Assuming a significant portion of humanity survived, this might go a long way towards uniting humanity and further our plage-like infestation of the galaxy beyond 'the cradle'.
Nuclear War - Would require a total failure of government(s), which represents a failure in humanity. Ew. Also, fallout = ew.
Anything from Star Wars - Dude... wait, what? So, like, a war of sorts? See above.
Google Takeover - Even the most hostile and evil takeover I could imagine would be closer to an evolution than an apocalypse. This is not a comment on Google 'doing no evil' - I would reasonably say the same thing about Microsoft. I conclude this option doesn't belong in this poll.
Nanites - would require a total failure of scientists/engineers, which represents a failure in humanity. Again, ew.
Zombies - This was the second contender. Could have massive death counts, global civil chaos and all those other fun things, but wouldn't really do much to infrastructure. So in terms of special effects it's a bit meh.
Bored Deity - Apart from the obligatory "I'm an atheist you insensitive clod", this option does not define anything about the nature of the apocalypse. It's a catch all for any number of naturally occurring events.
Bored Cowboy Neal - This option can be ignored since there are clearly some worthy options.
The apocalypse will be either man made (nuclear war, nanites, possibly zombies) or naturally* occurring (as in asteroids or bored deity). I would rather see humanity throw its creative talents up against the challenges of the natural universe than against ourselves.
*or caused by the Deity(s) of your choice
Asteroid - Assuming a significant portion of humanity survived, this might go a long way towards uniting humanity and further our plage-like infestation of the galaxy beyond 'the cradle'.
Nuclear War - Would require a total failure of government(s), which represents a failure in humanity. Ew. Also, fallout = ew.
Anything from Star Wars - Dude... wait, what? So, like, a war of sorts? See above.
Google Takeover - Even the most hostile and evil takeover I could imagine would be closer to an evolution than an apocalypse. This is not a comment on Google 'doing no evil' - I would reasonably say the same thing about Microsoft. I conclude this option doesn't belong in this poll.
Nanites - would require a total failure of scientists/engineers, which represents a failure in humanity. Again, ew.
Zombies - This was the second contender. Could have massive death counts, global civil chaos and all those other fun things, but wouldn't really do much to infrastructure. So in terms of special effects it's a bit meh.
Bored Deity - Apart from the obligatory "I'm an atheist you insensitive clod", this option does not define anything about the nature of the apocalypse. It's a catch all for any number of naturally occurring events.
Bored Cowboy Neal - This option can be ignored since there are clearly some worthy options.
The apocalypse will be either man made (nuclear war, nanites, possibly zombies) or naturally* occurring (as in asteroids or bored deity). I would rather see humanity throw its creative talents up against the challenges of the natural universe than against ourselves.
*or caused by the Deity(s) of your choice
