The 'Etch-a-Sketch' End of the Dominant Species (Edited)

[Firoth]

You are approached by a being, maybe it's God, maybe it's a god, or maybe it's an alien. He has a job offer, of sorts, for you: Humanity is going to die out over the next 5 years from a sickness. There is nothing that humans or he can do to stop it. But, if you so choose, he will save you, and any person directly connected to you (family, spouse, friends[not friends of friends]) and destroy all traces of them (buildings, roads, trash, pollution, cars, etc). Your "job" will be to see how the Earth changes with humans no longer present. Not as a physical being to influence or even be part of these changes, but, as a watcher. Would you be willing to do this? You and everyone else on Earth will die if you say "no."

Think about it as if you were using Google Earth. You can scroll and zoom anywhere on Earth, the deepest depths of the ocean (and won't have to worry about light), even to a cellular level. You can walk around on the surface, see anything from any angle you want. You never get hungry or tired or aroused, and will never yearn for taste or touch(example: Man, I know I'm not hungry, but, I SO miss pizza!). You can slow, speed up and pause time, but, never rewind it. Also, you will "live" forever. You can even set bookmarks for places and animals that you can access by thought. You can tag places or animals with names (handy for when new species start to emerge).

Think of all the things you could learn about the Earth with that ability. Personally, the first thing I would do is check out the depths of the oceans and look for sea monsters. And haven't you ever wondered what would be the next species to rise to power, and if they would look at all like us? Would they eventually make computers like we have? Would they be even smarter? Would they be super hot cat girls?! (Not that it would matter since you can't interact with anything physically )

I'd have a very hard time saying no to that. I guess it would depend on if I saw myself being in a relationship soon when the question were posed to me.

 

[Chamale]

I would like the job, but I wouldn't want to kill everyone on Earth to do it. If this alien could somehow safely teleport everyone else to an identical copy of the planet, I would absolutely love this job.

 

[Delock]

Ah, the old equivalent of "If you could be immortal but only a watcher" question... only now with a further morality twist.

My answer: No on several levels

First, I wouldn't kill every human on Earth. That would end most of my importance, as it is my interactions with others that changes what happens in their lives and how they change the lives of others that creates a web making up society. In addition, I'd forever have the guilt of killing everyone I know on my mind, no matter what.

Second, I get bored without things to do after a little bit, and I can barely make it a day without music or gum (both of which I'd be denied in this scenario). Eternity would be hell, no matter how interesting it gets if I cannot interact with anything, and even worse if I was constrained only to Earth.

Third, even if something happens after humans (and if the carbon cycle really does interact with the global temperature like it's predicted, it will), how can I be certain to see it? And if I see it, what's the point? I can't tell anyone, nor interact with it, nor do anything more than add to a vastly growing collection of knowledge that I cannot use.

Fourth, I would see the end of man and beyond. I'd see all the accomplishments fade away, and even if they were rediscovered, I'd have my race described most likely the same way we describe extinct animals. There will be countless errors and guesswork made in front of me that I will want to correct but can't.

Lastly, given all these other points, I will likely go insane, which is a fate I feel is worse than death, given that you are alive but who you were before is gone.

 

[Firoth]

Well, that's what gives this choice it's conflict. And they aren't really dieing...They're just...unbeing. >_>

 

[Head Chef Dom]

Well no. Just watching a world on your own? How rubbish is that? Who am I supposed to discuss the latest Top Gear or games or the weekends football with then? and I bet the pay would suck too

 

[Firoth]

First
Second
Third
Fourth
Lastly

I suppose I may have put in a bit too much downside for most people. >_<

 

[temporalcrux]

Can I point out that primates aren't our predecessors?

 

[Firoth]

Who am I supposed to discuss the latest Top Gear or games or the weekends football with then?

There is none of that in this hypothetical scenario. All of humanity that ever is or was has ceased to be.

 

[Firoth]

Can I point out that primates aren't our predecessors?

I'm assuming the theory of evolution is true here.

 

[Delock]

First
Second
Third
Fourth
Lastly

I suppose I may have put in a bit too much downside for most people. >_<

See, if you had kept the interaction aspect, but kept it to a minimum (you cannot create life, but you can guide it, or you are able to direct certain actions the world will take) or if you had done something that set up the scenario with less of the downsides (like creating an alternate timeline that you could enter where those rules are in effect, but you are forced to stay for a large amount of time each visit rather than forever being trapped there) or given some larger incentive (you are in a floating castle above were any need you want is met so long as you regularly watch over this new world but do not interact), more people might go for it.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

I dunno man, after a while, such an omnipotent view of the world would grow to become very small. Sure yeah the first eons would be pretty cool, but then it'd start to feel like a prison.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Sounds like a pretty boring existence, unless there is a fast forward button...I'll pass.

It is an interesting thing to ponder, though. Something would need to develop hands for technology to really take off, and given that the resources would be the same...they would more than likely be dependant on fossil fuels too.

Makes you wonder if it would be all that different...

 

[Firoth]

See, if you had kept the interaction aspect, but kept it to a minimum (you cannot create life, but you can guide it, or you are able to direct certain actions the world will take) or if you had done something that set up the scenario with less of the downsides (like creating an alternate timeline that you could enter where those rules are in effect, but you are forced to stay for a large amount of time each visit rather than forever being trapped there) or given some larger incentive (you are in a floating castle above were any need you want is met so long as you regularly watch over this new world but do not interact), more people might go for it.

What about if humanity was going to die anyways (plague or whatever that only effects things with the genetic make-up of monkeys and higher), and the being was offering to save you and someone(s) else? All other rules apply, except you can interact with those other people.

 

[Luke5515]

That seems like it would be so much fun. Just the knowledge you would find would astound and amuse for all eternity! And if a human like society does come back, you can watch people in their homes. That'd be good creepy fun.

 

[Delock]

See, if you had kept the interaction aspect, but kept it to a minimum (you cannot create life, but you can guide it, or you are able to direct certain actions the world will take) or if you had done something that set up the scenario with less of the downsides (like creating an alternate timeline that you could enter where those rules are in effect, but you are forced to stay for a large amount of time each visit rather than forever being trapped there) or given some larger incentive (you are in a floating castle above were any need you want is met so long as you regularly watch over this new world but do not interact), more people might go for it.

What about if humanity was going to die anyways (plague or whatever that only effects things with the genetic make-up of monkeys and higher), and the being was offering to save you and someone(s) else? All other rules apply, except you can interact with those other people.

Possibly... However, if you really want to look at a situation similar to this, might I suggest you read the Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (though it does add a bit more fantasy and other variables to the mix). Not only does it look at the idea of "re-writing" the world due to desperation, but it also deals with what happens afterwards and how effective things were.

 

[Melon Hunter]

So...what do you do in 5 billion years time when the Sun expands to a red giant and most likely wipes out all remaining life on Earth? Are you allowed to travel to another life-supporting planet? I think I would pass on this, simply as it seems rather callous to destroy every human to watch new life evolve, and also surely you would get tired of observing and never interacting after a while.

 

[Firoth]

So...what do you do in 5 billion years time when the Sun expands to a red giant and most likely wipes out all remaining life on Earth? Are you allowed to travel to another life-supporting planet? I think I would pass on this, simply as it seems rather callous to destroy every human to watch new life evolve, and also surely you would get tired of observing and never interacting after a while.

You be quiet with your eventuals! This is my hypothetical, the Sun is eternal now! >

 

[Head Chef Dom]

Who am I supposed to discuss the latest Top Gear or games or the weekends football with then?

There is none of that in this hypothetical scenario. All of humanity that ever is or was has ceased to be.

No Top Gear? This scenario just sounds worse and worse. I think I would probably be saying 'no' to this god/alien/being

 

[Firoth]

Who am I supposed to discuss the latest Top Gear or games or the weekends football with then?

There is none of that in this hypothetical scenario. All of humanity that ever is or was has ceased to be.

No Top Gear? This scenario just sounds worse and worse. I think I would probably be saying 'no' to this god/alien/being

I changed the scenario now, re-read the first paragraph and make your choice.