When the World Ends, Who will Survive?

Imagine a world where the end has come, but without the dramatic scenarios we often envision. No massive meteorites crashing down, no zombie invasions. Instead, people have developed interstellar travel and left Earth out of sheer boredom. However, some folks stayed behind, and unfortunately, they overslept the departure of the last spaceship. Several million individuals found themselves stranded on Earth with no infrastructure, electricity, economy, or internet. What would they do? How would they cope, behave, and survive in this solitary world? To grasp their potential actions, we can draw insights from video games.

Think of it like this: a gaming company tested a new game and told players that the server would be shut down in 11 weeks. These players controlled characters in a world destined to vanish. Surprisingly, there was no chaos in the virtual realm. Players kept playing, but achievements lost their meaning as the end neared. Developers studied the gameplay to understand how players would behave under similar circumstances in the real world. The player's approach shifted as the game's conclusion drew nearer.

It turns out that chaos didn't reign in the virtual world. Instead, players treated each other respectfully, and the game continued but without the urgency of levelling up. This experiment offers insights into human behaviour during emergencies or global crises. Let's apply this concept to the folks who slept through the spaceship's departure.

Suppose you're one of these individuals. Upon realising the situation, your first instinct is to rush to the supermarket for food. But you're not the only one with this idea. You meet other survivors and stock up on food for the immediate future. However, the real challenge begins after those initial supplies run out.

The survival of the fittest notion isn't entirely accurate. Survival doesn't solely depend on strength, nor is it about intelligence alone. Adaptability plays a crucial role. Remember Darwin's theory about those who quickly adapt? This is key. Someone skilled in karate or flying planes won't necessarily thrive. Those who can find ways to build shelter, hide from danger, or adapt to the environment are more likely to succeed.

Leaving the big city becomes a necessity. Farming becomes crucial for a steady food source. Books on gardening and growing vegetables are your new companions. If you consume meat, livestock is essential. But watch out, when humans left, farm animals were released, and they're now roaming the wild.

Your journey won't be easy. You'll need to be in good physical shape. Strengthen your body and endurance; you don't need to become a bodybuilder, but regular running to improve your fitness is a wise choice. It's better to travel with a group. Building a new society is more manageable with more people. Bicycles become valuable assets, helping you travel far from the city.

Water becomes a concern. Tablets that purify water are essential. You can also boil water over a bonfire. For food, you don't necessarily need to hunt. Berries, mushrooms, and edible plants are abundant in forests. But be cautious, not everything you encounter is safe to eat. Books with instructions on edible plants can be a lifesaver.

Always be vigilant. Dangerous animals lurk in the wilderness. Make noise to scare them off when necessary. Strength alone won't suffice. Building a new civilisation requires laws, rules, and cooperation. Writing down guidelines for the new world is essential.

With time, different communities form. You exchange goods and even create a new currency. Challenges arise, but mutual assistance, kindness, and cooperation allow the last remnants of humanity to build a new society. Human nature might tempt some to cause chaos, but they're usually in the minority.

In summary, survival in the aftermath of an uneventful apocalypse hinges on adaptability, cooperation, and resourcefulness. While video games can give us insights, the path to rebuilding society requires hard work, knowledge, and a commitment to working together. It's a journey of endurance, learning, and ultimately, hope for a better future.