Three hundred and sixty five days. One journey of the Earth around the sun. At whatever time,
on whatever day you’re watching this right now,
you know that the same time and date will come to pass next year, and the year after that,
and the one after that, and so on. But what if, actually, that wasn’t the case? What
would happen if humankind learnt that this really was the endtimes for our planet?
This is Unveiled, and today we’re answering the extraordinary question;
what if the world was ending in one year?
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Picture the scene. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you become aware of sirens blaring
out; of breaking news bulletins interrupting TV and the radio; of a sudden onrush of social
media notifications, each more panicked than the last; of people rushing to the streets outside,
a frenzy of screams and tears, and confused and frightened faces everywhere you turn. The truth
has just been revealed; the apocalypse really is upon us; the world will end in one years’ time.
Exactly how such a scenario would ever come to pass is unknown. There are a few possibilities,
though. In one, an unstoppable asteroid or rogue planet is spotted racing through the solar system
towards us, with enough power to break our little world into tiny fragments. In another,
an alien civilization first reveals itself to us and, then, bizarrely issues us with one year’s
notice before they destroy everything we’ve ever known. In another, some kind of supremely bad
human being gains control over the entire planet’s nuclear arsenal, and sets them all to explode in
fifty-two weeks exactly, for no apparent reason other than the neatness of the plan. We could,
then, be imagining some kind of genuinely possible, natural and scientific setup… or
something more akin to a science-fiction fantasy. But, nevertheless, what would happen next? What
would happen if the global population knew that it’s time on Earth really was running out?
In a purely practical sense, the economy collapses first of all. Far fewer people
are going to turn up for work in a world that’s as good as dead. And no one is going to be that
interested in buying stuff, especially not for the long term when the long term isn’t
even going to happen. If you knew there was only a year left until genuine armageddon,
would you bother making the Monday morning commute? Would you diligently continue to pay
your rent on time? Not likely! Instead, we - the helpless human beings - would probably switch from
doing the things we should do… to doing what we want to do. So what does that look like?
For many, the shock and fear over our impending doom would really rob them of the freedom to
choose how they feel. All stages of grief would set in, and on a global scale. The collective
panic would rise and rise as the few remaining weeks ticked by. Which could turn some of us
into angry and selfish versions of ourselves… while others might change in the opposite way,
becoming more grateful and kind. It's often predicted that in the face of disaster,
humans would turn to looting, violence and chaos… and, in some ways, predicted
with good reason. Desperate times can lead to people acting out of character. But, actually,
there’s evidence to suggest that humanity wouldn’t turn ugly. In January 2018, a false
alarm was issued across Hawaii, incorrectly warning residents to seek immediate shelter
due to an incoming ballistic missile threat. In reality, there was no incoming weapon,
and everyone was safe. But, and although the error was righted within just a few minutes,
in the short time that people really did think their lives were at risk, there were
no reported instances of unsavory behavior. In fact, there were only accounts of people trying
to help one another. Based on that case study, it turns out humanity isn’t so bad, after all!
But, of course, today’s question is a whole other ball game. Here, we’re not talking about just a
few minutes of terrifying uncertainty… we’re imagining day after day along a certain road
to death. How do you fill that time? Although the global economy will have quickly broken,
whole industries could still pop up seeking to make the best of the moments that are left.
Try before you die goods and services; non-stop pleasure cruises; life after Earth contingency
plans. Clearly, the opportunity for scams would be unprecedented, given that there’d be no time or
particular desire for policing… but, on the other hand, without money in the traditional sense,
what could a scammer hope to gain? Perhaps we’d more likely see the emergence of close
knit communities, built around like-minded people who all want the same (or similar) things out of
their final days alive. There might be a group of storytellers traveling across North America,
for example. Or a band of divers, congregated at the Great Barrier Reef. A troupe of musicians
somewhere, spending their final year playing all their favorite pieces. Or a setup of athletes,
organizing one final Olympic Games. Any and all would be surrounded by animals roaming free,
released from farms and zoos… as nature returns to the wild as much as we revert to our instincts.
Perhaps no-one would feel the need to join together more, however, than the scientists,
engineers and technologists… because they, more than anyone, might believe that the end
of the world can be stopped. For this reason, some version of the internet might remain;
some forms of communication might still work. The need to coordinate efforts would drive some to try
to preserve the connections between us. Because, in whatever form the apocalypse were to take,
knowing that it is exactly one year away would work like the ultimate deadline.
A before and after moment beyond anything else. Could science and technology deliver
a solution before that deadline came to pass? It’s a sure bet that many would try.
While some turned to nature and physics, however, others would turn to God. The world’s religions
will have encountered perhaps their most trying time in history. Those dedicated preachers who
remain loyal to their cause would now be tasked with navigating their followers through the
world’s end. Armageddon wouldn’t only be a looming threat on the horizon anymore;
it would be here, happening, in front of everyone’s eyes. Would faith in the Rapture
be enough to see them through? Would the image of Heaven remain strong? Would tensions break
out between those who believe and those who don’t? Or between those who believe one thing,
and those who believe another? This would be religion’s ultimate test.
More broadly, how does the picture change as we move into the final month? If it were an asteroid
strike that was coming, then that fatal rock might now be visible in the sky; if it were some kind of
alien attack, perhaps the ship is hovering over us. By now, Earth and human civilization could be
a very different place. Ruin will have already started to set in, given all of the upheaval
of the eleven months before. If there are people still frantically working to try to stop what’s
to come, then their numbers will likely have dwindled. Their scope will likely have narrowed,
and whatever communications links might’ve remained between them will probably have failed.
Likewise, all over the map, it could be as though the world were shutting down. Eeking out its final
pangs of energy before the screen goes blank. Now is the time to tell people you love them;
to rebuild bridges with friends you regret losing; and to finally cut yourself some slack, too.
Given the immense hardships that will have unfolded since our date with destiny was signed,
the unfortunate reality is that the global population will have already dropped. By
this point, food would be low, clean water would be scarce, energy and warmth would be
difficult to come by. Homes and shelter would still stand, but as hollowed out husks of what
they once were. Other buildings - like offices, train stations, museums and schools - would be
abandoned. Or else will have been fortified in one last, desperate bid to kick against
the inevitable. What do you think you’d be doing with one month left to go? How about one week?
On the final day, there’s really no telling what Earth would look or feel like. But what remains
of humankind would be united under this single, monumental and inescapable event. Families might
gather together as one; friends might spend their last moments having one final catchup;
or the end of all things might actually be an entirely lonely place, with only your own thoughts
for company. You will have made it to the final showdown, and so you look to the sky and wait.
And that’s what would happen if the world were ending in one year.
What do you think? Is there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments, check out these other
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