plague

[opheliaesque]

If there was an incurable plague which was sure to wipe out the entire planet's population within weeks, would you reveal this information to the world, or keep it a secret until it is inevitably revealed when people start dying? Let's assume the plague was dormant inside everybody, and you've known for a while. Let's also assume there is no cure.

Apologies if this has been asked before/implausible/redundant etc etc.

New to the forum. Nice to meet you folks.

 

[The Gopher]

Welcome, to be honest I am not sure. I probably would say because of the slight chance of a cure (Jut in-case)

 

[Cavallier]

I'd book tickets to Siberia. I hear it's breathtaking this time of year.

I wouldn't tell anybody (even if there was a chance that everybody would actually believe me). Mostly, I suspect there would be widespread panic. If I don't tell everybody some people might actually enjoy their last few days to live regardless of whether or not they know it's their last.

Edit: Welcome. Ophelia...esque. So, you haven't decided to drown yourself just yet? You just feel sort of unstable and vaguely suicidal or am I picking up on the wrong reference here?

 

[Solitaire U.]

On principle of free and unrestricted access to and exchange of information, I'd sing it out to the world.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I'm split between using this knowledge for "fun" and widespread revelation.

 

[Lobstrich]

On principle of free and unrestricted access to and exchange of information, I'd sing it out to the world.

Why don't we have a 'thumbs up' emoticon? An applaus doesn't really fit here, I just want to give a thumbs up in agreement.

 

[Cavallier]

This makes me wonder if I've leaped to a western assumption to quickly. I assumed that if the everyone on the planet was made aware that they'd be dying soon there would be mass panic. I figured lots of looting and general asshattery would ensue.

However, the way the Japanese people dealt with their recent tragedy has made me reconsider my assumption.

Would the social conventions of society fail and would the planet turn into a roiling self-centered free for all? I cant' be sure anymore but I'll still be getting those tickets to Siberia.

 

[opheliaesque]

@ Cavallier
You've got the reference right, bub. However, aside from feeling depressed at the lack of recent productivity, I've no suicidal tendencies at all.

On a more relevant note, I honestly have no idea how this world would react. Yes the Japanese dealt with the disasters very well, but in face of a world wide (and incurable plague), it's a whole different situation entirely. Thinking up scenarios is fun, but ultimately, I don't think anybody knows how it would happen unless it does.

 

[Legion]

I would tell everyone so that I could laugh in their faces. Imagine the chaos, the panic, the desperate hope to which everyone would falsely cling. And in the middle of the extinction I would be laughing my *** off and calmly observing humanity's fall. Why you ask? Because ever since I was a child I was aware of the futility of life, and the arrogance of man to assume he was somehow unique. I am utterly at peace not only with my own demise, but with the destruction of the entire human species.

 

[pjoa09]

I would tell it to the least gullible people.

Or a mute.

 

[hitode-kun]

I definitely wouldn't tell anyone, even if they'd believe me. I would sit there and watch this disgustingly corrupted world fall apart. I would watch humanity shred itself in a futile attempt to survive, clinging onto strands of false hope, and then falling into the hellish pit of despair before being dragged down myself, for I am unfortunately also an iniquitous, hypocritical example of humanity. I agree with your point, Legion, but I don't really see the point in wasting time and effort telling everyone about it. They're going to succumb to their pitiful selfish nature anyway. But then again, might as well constructively use your last moments to fuel this pathetic race to its destruction and entertain yourself in and/or with the chaos.

 

[Oedipus]

Realistically I couldn't keep that to myself, so I'd probably tell people.

 

[Trebuchet]

I would tell the CDC, at least. They seem to have a plan in place for a zombie apocalypse, so I expect they have thought of this one, too.

You'd want someone trying to ameliorate the symptoms, at least, and they have lots of experts on quarantine, diagnosis, and how to disclose things. How would I know it is incurable, or universal?

Siberia sounds good.

 

[digital angel]

I'd tell someone...telling the CDC sound like a good idea.

 

[Howitzer]

If I could make the world believe me I would. It would be fairly interesting living in a societal breakdown for a few days running wild, assuming I can quickly come to terms with my demise. Perhaps we could make some kind of legacy for Earth. Or freeze a bunch of people and store our knowledge of the plague etc for another race to one day discover.

 

[blarg]

I'm not telling anyone. Nobody should know if my evil plan comes to fruition.

 

[ZombieAtomico]

Going on the assumption the plague is incurable and will inevitably eradicate all of us (as outlined by the OP), I'd keep it all quiet. People would figure it out soon enough, so there'd be no real advantage in telling anyone. Leave well enough alone, I suppose. Plus, it's doubtful that any kind of warning from little ol' me would even be taken seriously.