Alternate apocalypses

[headquarters]

It has happened from time to time you know.

Mediterranean civilizations exploding in volcanic fireblasts that creat tidal waves that drown everything after ,setting things back to a nigh on neolithic level

Plagues born by bugs that live on common rodenst that wipe out something liejk 50-90% of the population in a short time span -and the mass hysteria and ill adviced decision that spawns-the European plagues..

Resources dwindling/crops failing and states warring with eachother because of the harsh times -the South American civilizations -from astrology and towering ziggurats to being swallowed by the jungle and going back to substenance farming for hundreds of years

Upheaval and war ,internal /domestic dissarray causing massive migrations that press the borders of a major power until it collapses- the Western Roman Empire..

The lure of an empires wealth lead to border wars that burn out the tenacity and drain the power of a major power until it is overrun -the Chinese Han dynasties conquered by the Mongols

I am sure there have been random tidal waves and volcanic eruptions and asteroid strikes that have ended a few too .( like the destruction of Lisboa in the 1700s -although that didnt end the Portoguese outright).

What will end ours is hard to say - but at some point it will crash like the others have imho .

(Please note - I do not qualify what constitutes civilization here -I just state examples that ended some of the recognized ones-just thought I would add this caveat as there seems to be a little political simmering going on in this thread)

[pmulcahy11b]

I seems that some of the scenarios listed are either not survivable or only very-limited survivable (gamma ray bursters, X-Ray stars and a couple of others).

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

I seems that some of the scenarios listed are either not survivable or only very-limited survivable (gamma ray bursters, X-Ray stars and a couple of others).

That is why they are called NIGHTMARES!!!

"To sleep, perhaps to dream"

[MajorPo]

What about a descent into Idiocracy (check out the 2006 movie). I swear I can see it slowly happening all around me!

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by MajorPo

What about a descent into Idiocracy (check out the 2006 movie). I swear I can see it slowly happening all around me!

The inmates are running the asylum...

Are you sure you meant to say "slowly?"

[Targan]

Originally Posted by mikeo80

That is why they are called NIGHTMARES!!!

"To sleep, perhaps to dream"

I believe the quote you have in mind is "To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub". Its from Shakespeare's Hamlet.

[pmulcahy11b]

How many people actually know Hamhock...er, Hamlet? I couldn't remember the exact quote.

The quote I always remember (though I can't remember who said it) is the one that people always butcher as "History repeats itself." It's really, according to what I was taught in college, "Those who do not remember the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them." It also comes in many variations on that.

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by Targan

I believe the quote you have in mind is "To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub". Its from Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Very true, Targan. English lit was never my strong suit.

[Graebarde]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

How many people actually know Hamhock...er, Hamlet? I couldn't remember the exact quote.

The quote I always remember (though I can't remember who said it) is the one that people always butcher as "History repeats itself." It's really, according to what I was taught in college, "Those who do not remember the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them." It also comes in many variations on that.

And the damn fools keep rewriting history all the time to suit their agendas, so what really ARE the mistakes of history?

[jester]

Watching a program on Volcanic Erupotions specificaly Krakatoa.

It gives info that, floods will result, tsunami's, earthquakes, nuclear winters, acid rain, floods and poison gas clouds and head waves and blast waves.

And all of those would result in:

1.) Death in so many levels which means bodies which will not be burried which means disease of so many levels which will turn into plagues.

Plague, cholera, typhoid and a host of other nastiness.


2.) Destroyed Infrastructure: we are talking communications, some will have an EMP effect, others will just make the com networks to disapear, and others well without power or maintenance they will stop.

Roads will be destroyed, bridges, ports, air travel, water pumps, stations and networks and purification plants. Damns which provide water, power and controlling water so we do not have floods and can navigate water routes gone!

Transport networks via road, rail, sea and air bringing in food, water and medical supplies gone and severely diminished!

Areas where oil is pumped and fuel is produced gone! Or severely diminished. If the oil is not produced inland and the refineries in similiar places it no longer exists! And the pumps at sea and coastal areas that will have flooded or at sea will continue to have oil flow <like in the Gulf of Mexico right now> And thus, a coat of oil or tar will cover large areas of our coastal regions, making it impossible for birds, fish or vegetation to live in those areas as well.

3.) Famine, nuclear winter, tidal waves polutted water, destroyed fishing grounds. A disruption in the natural cycle to include the seasonal patterns, wind and current patterns. Coupled with acid rain, pollutants of all maner from our factories and cities further poisoning region arround cities, factories, oil production and transport and storage networks.



4.) Cooling of the earth! A dramatic change in weather of the earth! Again the dying of plants, which means no food for the plant eating animals.

5.) Poison Gas and acid rains, polutting water sources, soil and other areas wherever the wind may carry them.

Those are some pretty stark events.


And then of course the regular damage the natural things will cause. Floods, Tidal Waves, Heavy Rains <as a result of the cooling, which will lead to ice storms and snowing>

All of this damage will cause a shortage of people to do work. It will also lead to war over remaining resources and farmland that is still workable, as well as potable water supplies.

All of the above is good material for using as material for a wicked campaign.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Graebarde

And the damn fools keep rewriting history all the time to suit their agendas, so what really ARE the mistakes of history?

One thing I've learned, first in getting a BA in history, and then in my lifelong interest in history, is that nothing in history happened the way I was taught when I was a kid or the way most people today think it happened, or the way our kids are being taught these days that it happened. Kids these days need to understand that learning for them will be a constant struggle against ignorance and those who would keep them ignorant (whether by design or because their teachers are just as ignorant).

As for what really happened in history -- you just have to find as may facts as you can and make a judgment based on them. And be ready to constantly revise your beliefs.

[weswood]

Here's one that may not be very PC- our peace loving Islamic brethren inflict enough terrorist acts and demands on governments throughout the world that your average citizen of said countries go on a rampage against any Muslims, real or suspected.

Or a racial war. Minorities band together to attack "rich whitey".