- #1
Zantra
- 793
- 3
I know this is a dark subject, but it's germane to the current times, and Ivan's post about war got me thinking. So let's say the unthinkable happened, and say you somehow were one of the few million who survived. What would you do? would you want to survive? If you knew nuclear war was eminent would you take steps to survive if you knew how?
Sadly enough I had enough interest in this subject to read a few books on the subject some time back, and the scenarios were not pretty, and at that, they were based on much lower yields than are currently in existence. A 5 Megaton Nuke placed accurately could essentially wipe out Los Angeles and 90 percent of it's approx 10 million inhabitants within day between the initial blast and resulting fallout. And I'm being conservative with that estimate. 70 percent within a 100 mile radius of ground zero dead within a week. It just gets worse from there. And that's just one.
For me I would be torn between staying and going. If I had sufficient warning(not likely) I know of some islands in the pacific where I might go and radiation would be minimal, assuming a full nuclear exchange wasn't executed. I most certainly wouldn't want to live in the post nuclear areas, where I would be exposed to millions of rads and no doubt develop cancern, or pass traits onto any children I might bear. But I supposed if circumstances were right, I might escape to such an island)preferrably with some livable companionship) and live out the rest of my days there. Obviously there would be nothing left on the mainland to go back to.
I know there are those of you out there who are familiar with these types of scenarios, and with at least the scientific aspects of it. So knowing the gruesome future, would you choose to live? For me I know it's a decision I couldn't make until ultimately faced with it.
There was a movie some years back called "the day after" which presented this scenario. It was gruesome. And let me tell you, it all revolves around this guy trying to get back to his home. He of course ultimately makes it back, only to discover the only thing left is the chimney stack and some guy sitting near a fire where his house once stood. Very depressing.
Sadly enough I had enough interest in this subject to read a few books on the subject some time back, and the scenarios were not pretty, and at that, they were based on much lower yields than are currently in existence. A 5 Megaton Nuke placed accurately could essentially wipe out Los Angeles and 90 percent of it's approx 10 million inhabitants within day between the initial blast and resulting fallout. And I'm being conservative with that estimate. 70 percent within a 100 mile radius of ground zero dead within a week. It just gets worse from there. And that's just one.
For me I would be torn between staying and going. If I had sufficient warning(not likely) I know of some islands in the pacific where I might go and radiation would be minimal, assuming a full nuclear exchange wasn't executed. I most certainly wouldn't want to live in the post nuclear areas, where I would be exposed to millions of rads and no doubt develop cancern, or pass traits onto any children I might bear. But I supposed if circumstances were right, I might escape to such an island)preferrably with some livable companionship) and live out the rest of my days there. Obviously there would be nothing left on the mainland to go back to.
I know there are those of you out there who are familiar with these types of scenarios, and with at least the scientific aspects of it. So knowing the gruesome future, would you choose to live? For me I know it's a decision I couldn't make until ultimately faced with it.
There was a movie some years back called "the day after" which presented this scenario. It was gruesome. And let me tell you, it all revolves around this guy trying to get back to his home. He of course ultimately makes it back, only to discover the only thing left is the chimney stack and some guy sitting near a fire where his house once stood. Very depressing.
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