If you became the last person on Earth, what would you do? Realistically. | Hacker News Reader

If you became the last person on Earth, what would you do? Realistically.

reddit.com

17 pointskareemm23 comments

I think realistically I would be operating under the hope that I was not the last human alive and I would focus on finding another survivor. That hope, realistic or not would probably keep me moving forward.

What you mustn't do is set a fire, shoot off flares, try to attract attention to yourself. If there are any humans out there they may be predators, and you don't want to give away your position without knowing theirs. Think defensively! You'll necessarily search in stealth mode. Of course, the others (presuming they exist) are likely doing the same thing, deliberately being hard to find. You'll only find someone if one of you becomes careless or complacent.

From _Tunnel in the Sky_: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_in_the_Sky

"Send up a smoke signal."

"We've discussed that We don't want just anybody and we don't want to advertise where we live. We want people who will strengthen the team."

"That is what the engineers call a self-defeating criterion. The superior woodsman you want is just the laddy you will never find by hunting for him. He may find you, as you go tramping noisily through the brush, kicking rocks and stepping on twigs and scaring the birds. He may shadow you to see what you are up to. But you won't find him."

I would set off flares, I just wouldn't be standing next to them. If you create a signal, you get to define the playing field and observe from the perimeter as other people approach to investigate.

I had recently seen an Amazing Documentary called "Life After People", I would recommend it to anyone interested in knowing what would happen to Earth without humans. http://www.history.com/shows/life-after-people

Can someone please do an analysis on how long the internet would stay up? That'd be the difference between surviving comfortably and discovering my inner-Hobo.

If anyone likes this topic, you should read Earth Abides (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Abides). From Wikipedia: It tells the story of the fall of civilization from deadly disease and its rebirth. Beginning in the United States in the 1940s, it deals with Isherwood (Ish) Williams, Emma, and the community they founded. The survivors live off the remains of the old world, while learning to adapt to the new. Along the way they are forced to make tough decisions and choose what kind of civilization they will rebuild.

second. earth abides is in contention for greatest post-apocalyptic ever.

I'd do lots of exploring, maybe hike back and forth across the country the way early explorers did 150-200 years ago, but realistically? There would be nobody to talk to, nobody to share your thoughts and experiences with. It sounds like an absolutely terrible existence. Then there is the problem of no doctors or dentists... a broken bone, or a bad tooth, and you would be in agony. It would not be a fun world to grow old in. Realistically, I think I'd soldier on, but after a few years, I'd probably say goodbye, and take my own life.

I had this dream once and I was spending all my time buying important books on kindle while Amazon was still live.

When they set up a webserver on the moon, accessible via radio, you'll be able to browse the Library of Congress after civilisation collapses, and charge your Kindle from a bicycle.

I'm not sure why bacon is so important. We're not going to run out of pigs, boars, smoke, or salt; among the applications of pig meat, bacon is one of the easier and more useful (it's pre-preserved).

It's a common meme on reddit.

No one has yet brought up the idea on reddit that humans are not the only mehtod of companionship. Consider pets. Even nowadays, there are loners and hermits that live happily surrounded by cats or dogs, with no need nor desire of human contact. I think I could do just fine amassing a family of lovable dogs to travel with as well as offer me protection from other dangerous animals.

I wonder how much longer frozen food would last if you could plunder some of the -60 freezers common in bio labs.

I'm often amused that the one good university cafeteria in smack in the middle of one of the biology building, and the corridor is lined with freezers alternating between -60 microbial storage and "Food Freezer. Do not use for sample storage!"

Just a heads up, we don't all go to the same university as you do. What in the world are you talking about?

I'd go try to find my family. Then to Vegas, b/c supposedly the Hover dam will continue operating for several years automatically. The Southwest is also not prone to any natural disasters or harsh winters or large predators. The major problem would be finding shelter from the heat, but if I'm the last person around there should be plenty of bottled water.

Find a generator, some beer, and some snacks and finally try to get through all those video games I don't have time for now. Oh, and get a shotgun just in case the rest of you come back as zombies.

This is a quick fun read ttp://www.worldwithoutus.com/did_you_know.html

I think, realistically, suicide would be the most likely result.

Not that I believe in it.

How does one believe or not believe in Suicide? It's a quite steady fact that it is possible, and somewhat prevalent. Do you mean that you don't personally agree with the concept of suicide?

Err... "realistically" ?! Fly to a new planet and become a superhero there.

Finally reply to all the comments. And I would have the last word. Ha.

Try to build as many long-lasting monuments as possible to inform the future starfish-based civilization of our achievements.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com