If you were the last person on Earth

[MetalWounds]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).

[DeepPurple]

I wouldn't want to be the last person on earth. I think I would go nuts. I may be an introvert but I need some socialization every once in a while. I can't talk to myself. I wouldn't mind one other person showing up.

Your question would be so much more interesting if we were the only living human on the planet. Everbody else could be zombies, vampires, aliens or something. Then we could put on some cool threads, load up on weapons and see how long we could survive. Now that sounds like something I could do.

[Pinkie]

I wouldn't mind having one other person showing up. Either I'd get on with them okay, in which case there wouldn't be a problem, or I'd hate them, in which case hatred would keep me sane. As long as they kept out of my way for eighteen hours out of twenty-four, I'm sure we'd be fine.

[MetalWounds]

Interesting...hmm zombies do sound pretty cool, but vampires sound even cooler...

[INTroJect]

I 2nd pinkie. As long as the other person would be out of my way when desired I would be willing to share my planet.

[Tarrick]

Well, it depends really on whether or not you are willing to let the human race end with you essentially. I mean, if I was the last human alive...then that was it. I could do whatever, but there would be no real reason to do anything. Without interaction between people, anything you do is ultimately worthless. It may have worth to you, but if you have no one to share it with, or to pass it on to, then what purpose does it really serve?

Now, as for being a new "Adam"...that's an interesting scenario to think about. Right off you would have to forget about several social taboos, including incest if you were to try and propagate the planet again. I'm not sure that any two humans are genetically capable of salvaging to human race, but again, if you don't try then there is no real point but to dig a grave and wait until you too expire.

[INTroJect]

Without interaction between people, anything you do is ultimately worthless.

Sounds like a blissful idea. Def worth a try. You could make yarndolls, play solitare, set off a nuclear bomb on the other side of the planet for fun. Sit on the roof of the whitehouse and smoke pot. Knock the International Space station out of orbit and watch it come crashing down to earch. Make vinegar and baking soda volcanoes. etc etc


Now, as for being a new "Adam"...that's an interesting scenario to think about. Right off you would have to forget about several social taboos, including incest if you were to try and propagate the planet again. I'm not sure that any two humans are genetically capable of salvaging to human race, but again, if you don't try then there is no real point but to dig a grave and wait until you too expire.

If that were the case, I wonder how long it would take. Esp if all the Earth's infrastructure was just sitting there waiting to be used again.

[MetalWounds]

Sounds like a blissful idea. Def worth a try. You could make yarndolls, play solitare, set off a nuclear bomb on the other side of the planet for fun. Sit on the roof of the whitehouse and smoke pot. Knock the International Space station out of orbit and watch it come crashing down to earch. Make vinegar and baking soda volcanoes. etc etc




If that were the case, I wonder how long it would take. Esp if all the Earth's infrastructure was just sitting there waiting to be used again.

This is exactly what I was thinking. You would have ultimate control, and everything in this would be, unquestionably, at your disposal. As for Llfe being pointless without interaction, I don't belive in that for a minute. Ultimatly you live your entire life in your own head, where no one else can "be". So the "interactions" and "socializations" that we have are no more signifigant than a fleeting thought. I belive that other types mingle and soicialize because they have..."lesser" minds, that seek to coexist for a sense of "completion" that they don't naturally feel.

[INTroJect]

This is exactly what I was thinking. You would have ultimate control, and everything in this would be, unquestionably, at your disposal. As for Llfe being pointless without interaction, I don't belive in that for a minute. Ultimatly you live your entire life in your own head, where no one else can "be". So the "interactions" and "socializations" that we have are no more signifigant than a fleeting thought. I belive that other types mingle and soicialize because they have..."lesser" minds, that seek to coexist for a sense of "completion" that they don't naturally feel.

Id hate to think that those who have a different type are lesser in any way. We were both INTJs and they are born whatever they are and we have no way to compare which is better except through our own perception?

[Nomad]

INTJ. System builders. What are you building a system for? There is no one else. There is nothing to organize, no stimulation except for survival.

Yeah, another person. Preferably Natalie Portman. That'd be good, my odds go way up. ;)

Nomad

[INTroJect]

You know, as I am thinking about this I am leaning on thinking that I would not enjoy having the planet completely to myself. There should be someone else, or atleast a small tribe where I can be the Chieftain. I would be good at that.

[PortInStorm]

You have to think that you'd be living in intense suffering for at least part of your life, an early death likely. Seeing as our civilization makes us so specialized, we wouldn't be able to maintain everything and things would start to go bad very, very fast. Nuclear power plants would start to contaminate the planet, you'd start to get nutrient deficiency, not enough time to learn all you'd need to in order to survive, never mind thrive in the same 1st world luxery most of us are used to. Yikes! At least with one other person you'd have their knowledge too, maybe a hand to hold at the end. Sorry, I've thought about this, how I could possibly keep everything going with how complicated everything is. Just being realistic.

[INTroJect]

You have to think that you'd be living in intense suffering for at least part of your life, an early death likely. Seeing as our civilization makes us so specialized, we wouldn't be able to maintain everything and things would start to go bad very, very fast. Nuclear power plants would start to contaminate the planet, you'd start to get nutrient deficiency, not enough time to learn all you'd need to in order to survive, never mind thrive in the same 1st world luxery most of us are used to. Yikes! At least with one other person you'd have their knowledge too, maybe a hand to hold at the end. Sorry, I've thought about this, how I could possibly keep everything going with how complicated everything is. Just being realistic.

Sounds like a strong reason to urgently re-propagate as quickly as possible. But would it contaminate that fast if humans fell off the face of the planet? All of our regular contamination as a result of our existence would go away and be replaced by another due to lack of upkeep but i'm thinking that the new form of contamination would be less.

[OneBadMother]

Hmm, it sounds risky. If I were guaranteed to get along with that person, sure. Otherwise maybe not.

It would suck to no longer have electricity and other maintenance-related services, though. I would be restricted to my continent and have to walk for days to get to anything. Maybe I'd make the second person someone who was good at building, so that I could come up with ideas and they'd help make them possible.

[MetalWounds]

It would be true that without upkeep most of our facilities would fall into disrepair, however, if you were resourceful enough you would likely be able to survive quite easy. Being in Washington state, the first thing that I would do would be to transport myself to a place in the U.S. that never gets cold in the winter. I'm thinking southern California; close enough where I can get there quickly, and suitable to survive without heating. As far as the transportation, I'd be surrounded by cars...hotwiring time...There would still be electricity for at least a short period of time, and as soon as I arived at my destination, I would begin to stockpile gasonline (and bottles of gas stabilizer as gasonline will go bad eventually). The next logistical problem would most likely be food/water. In any givin city I would assume that there would be enough bottled water/canned food that I wouldn't need to begin hunting for food for quite a while. (see gun and ammunition stores) Housing would be a no brainer as there are houses everywhere. As for electricity and running water, those things haven't been around forver and we seemed to have survived quite well. Once everthing was set up life would just be an issue of maintaining survival. As for the need to be a system builder, wouldn't you be building the perfect system for survival? Well thats all that I can really think of right now (untill someone kindly brings to light all the critical things I overlooked)

...Oh yeah, and you can always get a vollyball, name it "Wilson" and incessently ramble your thoughs to it.

[logos]

In my opinion, any reasonable person with self-preservation instincts still in tact will be hoping to run into anyone and everyone they can, preferably at least one someone of the opposite gender regardless of sexual preference.

[Raven Queen]

Yes, I would need someone with me, even if I don't get along with the person. Being completely alone would be great at first, but only for a short while - I would want human company one day. I don't think I'll be able to look towards the future and see myself being alone in the world for decades to come, and still remain sane. Also, it would be quite a meaningless existence if I simply looked after my survival and amused myself all day. I'd get bored and want to do something constructive which would affect others.

[Zilal]

It's a recurring fantasy of mine to wake up one day and find that everyone else on the planet has just vanished. I plan out how I would spend my days eating canned goods and how I would travel around the country.

But if it were for real, I suppose I would want a second person. I do like being alone and I suppose I'd handle it better than many people, but I love exploring, and every person is like another universe to explore.

[Hdier]

Hummm, I would want someone who I could interact with, as I do not handle total isolation well, but I would have contradictory wants if I could choose gender. I would want a male to come, us to fall in love, etc. However, I would feel that it would be my duty to choose for a female to come, as we could then restart the human race. If incest and petaphillia didn't violate my moral code (as well as utterly sicken me), then I would almost definately pick female.

[INTroJect]

See, you made a great point there of what we sexual deviants have to put up with. In that situation, in order to save ALL of humanity...take one for the team.

Totally underappreciated.

[PortInStorm]

Very resourceful! I don't think I'd have a problem surviving for food and water, but every day tonnes of dangerous chemicals are transported around, managed, utilized. If we don't know how to do these things, what prevents explosions, environmental contamination (think of all the oil rigs and barges still out in the ocean!), etc.? Plus you may be able to live on the fruits and vegetables within walking distance for a while, but then what? Unless you know how to can for a lifetime, or how to grow fruits, vegetables and grains etc, you'll start to lose vitality or at least longevity. Or I guess you could continuously migrate, using essential calories. This is assuming no need for surgery, no eminent disease, and no childbirth (greater chance of death here).

[Paul V]

I don't care as long as they're not a clingy "OMG THE WORLD ENDED PLEASE PROTECT ME AND FIX IT!" type. INXX are good, ISXX are fine, ENXX are tolerated and ESXX are loathed.

[INTroJect]

I don't care as long as they're not a clingy "OMG THE WORLD ENDED PLEASE PROTECT ME AND FIX IT!" type. INXX are good, ISXX are fine, ENXX are tolerated and ESXX are loathed.

Thats, right, We INXXs got this thing covered. Probably just start dealing with it once it happened...maybe get a little bothered after it all kicked in. But def calm like a hindu cow.

[Cuivienen]

@OP

I`d almost definately pick the second person to share the planet with, if we don`t get along the planet is big enough that the two of us could just arrange it so that we don`t ever have to meet.

Also, if the other person is smart he/she would be probably interesting to talk to sometimes and realize that he/she should stay out of my way when I don`t want him/her.
If he/she isn`t, well, I know this sounds "heartless", but he/she would most likely not survive long in a world with no one to do the thinking for him/her, anyway, which would solve my problem.

So either way, I`d be better off choosing the second person to "appear" together with me :devilish:

[OmegaPsi]

Id want to have a second person on the planet with me or else how could I relay my ideas to test for gaps that my critisisem [I have a tough time with that word..] had missed :thumbsup:

[Tarrick]

@OP
So either way, I`d be better off choosing the second person to "appear" together with me :devilish:

Agreed. Having one random person (1 / 6x10^9 ish) is kinda bad odds IMO.

[Firelie]

I'd have to have another person. I may be an introvert, but I enjoy the company of other human beings as long as they know when to back off...though I suppose if all of the animals were left and I was the only human, I could probably fashion a sort of family with household pets...Hmmmmmm....

[quentin]

The problem with trying to repopulate the human race using only two people should be obvious: inbreeding. Any kids you two have will have no choice but to breed with their brothers and sisters.

Civilization is not going to reconstructed by generation upon generation of inbred retards.

[rwyatt365]

Much as I hate to admit it, I’d probably want to have at least one other person around. Preferably female, preferably Inxx; for conversation, problem solving, mutual defense, procreation…all that kinda stuff.
Yeah, another person. Preferably Natalie Portman. That'd be good, my odds go way up.
…my choice would be Halle Berry, or that cute girl at the Chinese takeout downtown :thinking: :thumbsup:
The problem with trying to repopulate the human race using only two people should be obvious: inbreeding. Any kids you two have will have no choice but to breed with their brothers and sisters.
…that’s why I said “at least” above. I recognize the need for a larger gene pool.

BTW – for you zombie aficionados, there is a whole thread (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) about zombie survival.

[Seven]

As much as I value my alone time and go to great lengths to travel to unpopulated and remote places on holidays, I cannot imagine living out my life completely and utterly alone. Perhaps for a few years, it might be novel and seem like paradise but eventually I think I would long for some human contact. Human are social animals, we are genetically programmed as such to ensure our survival. I would definitely need at least another person around to keep me sane, even if s/he were chatty and clingy. If I had a choice who that person would be...I'll be practical...I'll pick a hunter-gatherer tribes(wo)man - this person could at least teach me survival skills which will come in handy when the luxuries of human civilization have deteriorated away.

…my choice would be Halle Berry, or that cute girl at the Chinese takeout downtown :thinking: :thumbsup:

Hey rwyatt...what does your wife have to say about that??

[Calliope]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).

Ideally, I would want one more person to show up; however, I could do without.

Being the ruler of a dead place has no appeal to me - what's the point of ruling over inanimate objects? They are not ruled by you, they are just there; they can't fight back, so you didn't win any battles - you just exist on the spot and the time fate decided for you (using the word "fate" very, very loosely).

I don't care about preserving the human race though. Ultimately, humans going extinct would be a good thing in the big picture. However, I care about my own quality of life, and though I can do with less, I'd rather have more.

Good part would be, so many things to explore and learn; bad part would be, no one there to share knowledge with/nothing to apply knowledge on/no reason to preserve knowledge and discoveries (what you learn or achieve dies with you).

Most importantly, nothing to hope for. Why the hell would you want to go on living if you have nothing to expect in the future? In a "shipwrecked on a desert island" scenario, there would be a point in self-preserving, because you'd have reasonable hope that you might, one day, resume your life. In this scenario, I'd probably jump off a high cliff - not for sentimental reasons, but for purely logical ones; I have nothing to expect, it is pointless to learn or do anything, leaving my mark for future generations, because there won't be any; I will die eventually, and the planet will be left empty; so, better sooner than later. What I would do, is try to ensure that records of this civilisation was preserved (don't ask me how, you can use your imagination for this one ;)), in case evolution took another turn and ever produced logical beings again / aliens exist / I was wrong about being the last remaining human being on the planet.

[The Rose]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).That would only be good until you died. Then there would be no more human race.

Being the last person would not be that much fun. It would be hard work. There would be no one around to run the power plants. I don't know how long you'd have electricity for. There'd be nothing to watch on tv or listen to on the radio.

I guess I would want someone of the opposite sex around so we could make babies, but then again, I would probably die in childbirth, so whatever.

[MetalWounds]

Having another person around would be nice, however, you would have to listen to EVERYTHING they ever thought. Secondly, who's to say that they wouldn't use your resourcefulness to their advantage and then kill you off? Personally, I don't know of anyone in this world (even if they were your "soulmate") that I could deal with putting up with for the rest of my life. Being alone for your entire life would not be "pleasurable" but being with someone that at some point you wont be able to stand being with would be worse, no?

[chocky]

I spent most of my childhood wanting the human race to disappear. I get all wistful imagining how beautiful the Earth could be.

My entire life is lived inside my head, and all the reflections I care for come from nature. I'll pass on the random human companion offer. I have plenty of company in the elements of nature. Gee, the only thing I'd have to lose is the constant depression, anxiety and anger caused by attempting to integrate with human beings. I couldn't possibly feel any more isolated and alone than I do now.

[Maverick]

I would want another person *if* it was a woman that I loved and that loved me.

[quentin]

Reminds me of that conversation in Before Sunrise:

Jesse: Alright, alright, alright. But maybe, maybe there's some biological things at work here. I mean, if you had an island, right, and there were ninety-nine women on the island, and only one man, in a year, you'd have the possibility of ninety-nine babies. But if you have an island with ninety-nine men, and only one woman, in a year, you'd have the possibility of only one baby. So...

Céline: So. You know what?

Jesse: What?

Céline: On this island, you know, I think that there will only be, like maybe forty-three men left. Because they would kill each other, trying to fuck this poor woman, you know what I mean? And on the other island, there would be ninety-nine women, ninety-nine babies, and no more man, because they would have all gotten together, and eaten him alive.

[yam]

I hate to think about it...
Really, I like to be alone...
But, to be the only person on the world??
No, thank you...

I think I would want another person who is capable to do anything that I can't do.
at least, we can be a great team

[rwyatt365]

Hey rwyatt...what does your wife have to say about that??
LOL - I would never make it to that "last person" status! :scared:

[Rei]

I don't think I'd care.

It would just mean that there is no longer competition. No longer a need to get a degree, a job, earn money.

Time to sit around and read random interesting crap that would normally be a waste of time. You are free to do anything that you've ever wanted to do but lacked the resources to do. *gasp* YEY! FREEDOM!!!! :)

One thing to keep in mind is to not get any major injuries/anything else that requires surgery... or you're screwed... what a god awful way to die =/

[deicruxified]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).
wow... the synchronisity of all synchronisities...

last week when i was in a camping trip, my travelling companion asked me if i'd like to live in a place as remote as the tribal village we spent the night on. my answer will always be yes. i have always wanted solace for my old age life - the type of solitude which i am away from people. going back to your case, i'd say yes but it depends:

1. if i remain single for the rest of my life then i'd definitely say yes.
2. if i'm with someone without kids, i'd say no
3. if i'm with someone with kids, i'd say yes. why? you said only one so it's all or nothing for this.

in/extroversion does not always equate to being alone all the time but it's how you rejuvenate yourself for the next activities or endeavors ahead. so, if ever i'd be with one person i'd like to spend time with most, that's be someone that really matter after countless evaluations and tests, etc.

[elsdfr]

I hate to think about it...
Really, I like to be alone...
But, to be the only person on the world??
No, thank you...

I think I would want another person who is capable to do anything that I can't do.
at least, we can be a great team

I agree and found it easy to fall into myself all the time. OH GOD NOT ANOTHER PERSON.

Learn how to counter it and it seems just as easy.

"If you were the last person on Earth"

I'd probably try to figure out what the F went wrong :)

Edit: would I exist if no one was around?

[Antares]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).

Um. Yes. It's good to be alone sometimes, but I'd go nuts if I have to face solitude 24/7 for the rest of my life.

[quentin]

Time to sit around and read random interesting crap that would normally be a waste of time. You are free to do anything that you've ever wanted to do but lacked the resources to do. *gasp* YEY! FREEDOM!!!! :)


There was a Twilight Zone episode about this scenario. The twist is that as the bookworm is about to sit down and crack open a book, he breaks his glasses.

[xhaan]

This is exactly what I was thinking. You would have ultimate control, and everything in this would be, unquestionably, at your disposal. As for Llfe being pointless without interaction, I don't belive in that for a minute. Ultimatly you live your entire life in your own head, where no one else can "be".
Agree here, but:


So the "interactions" and "socializations" that we have are no more signifigant than a fleeting thought.
This is where you lose me. They normally are significant, to the majority of people, and this does not make them less... it is simply the way they work. Just as many animals are social, and become anxious when separated, yet some are solitary and only come together to mate, and in fact cant stand to be around eachother otherwise and will fight if forced together.

[Rei]

There was a Twilight Zone episode about this scenario. The twist is that as the bookworm is about to sit down and crack open a book, he breaks his glasses.

Then find another pair that works alright...
I've kept all my old pairs, so they should be sufficient for reading... it can't be horribly hard to read without my glasses. A tad more tiring, but not impossible.

Infinite resources built up through years and years, and one person to use it... imagine that. No worry about the future, as you have no future; just living each day however you like.

[xhaan]

Then find another pair that works alright...
I've kept all my old pairs, so they should be sufficient for reading... it can't be horribly hard to read without my glasses. A tad more tiring, but not impossible.

Infinite resources built up through years and years, and one person to use it... imagine that. No worry about the future, as you have no future; just living each day however you like.

I can read a bit without my glasses, but knowing how my vision works, I can relate to the possibility of not being able to find another pair... not likely to find any that work besides my own, as I'm left eye dominant yet my right eye sees more clearly, yet both are blurry. :p

[Rei]

I can read a bit without my glasses, but knowing how my vision works, I can relate to the possibility of not being able to find another pair... not likely to find any that work besides my own, as I'm left eye dominant yet my right eye sees more clearly, yet both are blurry. :p

Learn how to make a new pair :thumbsup:

[xhaan]

Learn how to make a new pair :thumbsup:

Yeah, that would be awesome if i could do that.. even with other people around. It would save me the hundreds of dollars of having them made. :thumbsup:

[Rei]

Yeah, that would be awesome if i could do that.. even with other people around. It would save me the hundreds of dollars of having them made. :thumbsup:

Actually... with other people around, I'd rather spend the money than spend ALL that time on learning and then making them (when I could be spending that time earning a whole lot more than that "hundreds of dollars").

[xhaan]

Actually... with other people around, I'd rather spend the money than spend ALL that time on learning and then making them (when I could be spending that time earning a whole lot more than that "hundreds of dollars").

Hmm good point. Time is money, I even forget that at times.

[INTJoe]

I'd definitely want another person.

Preferably one of the following: Jessica Biel, Josie Maran, the 1989 version of Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, a hottie dressed as a European Beergirl (equipped with beer, too, of course), or my girlfriend of course.

[ssfanatic]

I wont say id love it just bec i dont want you to think im cold hearted for the people who all died, so ill just say i would supremely enjoy it. Go, live , eat, sleep, do whatever whenever wherever. I like to be left alone. Now i would like a pet and no constant threat like in I am Legend, but other than that, it would be awesome.

[xhaan]

I wont say id love it just bec i dont want you to think im cold hearted for the people who all died, so ill just say i would supremely enjoy it. Go, live , eat, sleep, do whatever whenever wherever. I like to be left alone. Now i would like a pet and no constant threat like in I am Legend, but other than that, it would be awesome.

There would be constant threat though, because even without.. what was in that movie, there would be nobody but you to keep back the wild, unless you domesticate animals to help protect you.

[Rei]

There would be constant threat though, because even without.. what was in that movie, there would be nobody but you to keep back the wild, unless you domesticate animals to help protect you.

...
why must the wild be "kept back"?
I doubt animals would come and attack you if you weren't any threat to them.

[jdc127]

I think I would just meditate and meditate. Unless I were a pregnant woman. Than I would learn how to give birth.

[xhaan]

...
why must the wild be "kept back"?
I doubt animals would come and attack you if you weren't any threat to them.

They wouldn't 'come and attack', no, but if they see you wandering, and are no longer used to humans, they certainly could see you as food.

[Rei]

They wouldn't 'come and attack', no, but if they see you wandering, and are no longer used to humans, they certainly could see you as food.

In other words coming and attacking you for food...
I don't think animals would resort to humans unless they were starved... Being used to humans or not has nothing to do with them wanting to eat humans or not. Humans are just not part of that food chain...

Besides... think about all the livestock you can use as a living meat shield.

[xhaan]

In other words coming and attacking you for food...
I don't think animals would resort to humans unless they were starved... Being used to humans or not has nothing to do with them wanting to eat humans or not. Humans are just not part of that food chain...

Besides... think about all the livestock you can use as a living meat shield.

Heh, true.

[notoppings]

I think it would suck a big one to be the last person on earth, I would welcome any other person to carry the burden. I love my time alone and rarely get lonely but thats because I give myself some human contact. We could survive better together than alone. If I needed alone time, it would be easy because now I wouldn't have to be anything but honest with this other person, no need for deceit.

[azelismia]

I think it would suck a big one to be the last person on earth, I would welcome any other person to carry the burden. I love my time alone and rarely get lonely but thats because I give myself some human contact. We could survive better together than alone. If I needed alone time, it would be easy because now I wouldn't have to be anything but honest with this other person, no need for deceit.


being the last person on earth would drive you mad. I used to think I wanted to be a hermit, but then I lived in AK for five years spending the winters almost entirely alone. (other then checkout clerks at teh grocery stores and the occasional dinners out with a mad old bitter woman.) I had SOME human contact at least, but it wasn't a pretty sight. I would not want to be the last person or earth or even the second to last person on earth. too many people are a downer but no people at all is maddening. that's one of the reasons why I always have pets in pairs. I can't imagine living with a strange species, without like company

[mkay]

Okay guys, got a hypothetical one for you. So, here's the scenario; For some unkown reason (you can use your imagination on this one) everyone else on Earth immediatly ceased to exist, However everything (buildings, houses, animals, ect) remained unchanged. Now, more to the point of my post, would you or would you not want 1 (one) person (whom you have never met before, gender doesn't matter) to "mysteriously" appear. Thus far, for logical reasons, every Extroverted type has said yes, And I would be interested to see how the Introverts respond, and, since I am currently surrounded by Extroverts this is probably the best place to find out. Personally I take great delight into knowing that there is no other human beings on the planet (of which I would technically be the ruler). I think that most Introverts, and furthermore, INTJs, would probably have a similar outlook. So let me know what you think, and feel free to expand on it (but I didn't have to tell you that anyway).

I don't care if humanity dies with me. Wanting the one person depends. If it's somebody like Charles Manson, no thanks. If it's someone not likely to do me in, even if he/she were an ass, there's no reason we couldn't go our separate ways.

[AgentofGaming]

Whoa... if humans were gone and the animals still remained...
Wouldn't a pack of wolves try to hunt me, or the supermarkets end up rat and cockroach infested eventually? and then I'd also have to grow my food and generate my own electricity, run my own sewage and water system, perhaps that's where the second person comes in handy...

Banding together is survival... in tribal days exile likely meant death. Even if the infrastructure survived, it'd eventually deteriorate. After a week it would end up as a survival nightmare, instead of daily leisure.

[gogurtdynasty]

i think i would want the one person... i mean if i hated them i could just say "leave me alone"

I think i would be plenty entertained by the animals <3

[rewhu]

I think I would just meditate and meditate. Unless I were a pregnant woman. Than I would learn how to give birth.

HA! Very funny!


Ok, I think I'd go through a couple of stages: one of depression, then anger, then I'd go utterly mad and contemplate suicide, then I'd mellow out and realize how peaceful life is without a bunch of people around mucking things up, then I suppose I'd have to learn how to hunt. That is the point where'd I wish for a companion because hunting for survival seems like it'd be much more efficient with two people instead of just one.

Having conveniently remembered episodes from Star Trek the Next Generation (When the Bough Breaks & Up the Long Ladder) I wouldn't concern myself with the problems of trying to repopulate the plant, because without a plucky interstellar crew to help out it just wouldn't be possible.

[Beery Swine]

My gut reaction is to say "yes," but then I start thinking about what the average person might be like in that situation and how they may decrease my life expectancy. I think it would be very likely that they'd slip slowly into violent madness. They might just up and kill themselves out of depression shortly after appearing.

Even in the best of circumstances I think two people who only had each other for company would eventually grow to resent every little aspect of the other that they didn't like. Things that were once amusing would become unbearably annoying. The same old one-liners the other makes were funny, for the first 4 months, after that every time you hear one it's just another reminder of how much you've grown to hate them.

Maybe a vacation from each other would be in order. A couple months go by in the blink of an eye, and when you return, not a damn thing's changed. Maybe a few years apart would make you appreciate the other all the more, but no. After a few more weeks together, following your extended hiatus, all your hatred comes rushing back to you, intensified all the more your inability to understand how they could not have changed in the slightest during your protracted interim.

Eventually only one thought, one sound, one voice can be heard in your head: kill. You try and fight it for awhile, but the voice has a tenacity unrivaled by any prior mental imperative you've experienced. You cannot control it. You cannot control yourself. One day, you simply wake to a view of pure and shining crimson, you're covered in it. What has that other human done for you? Made you the last murderer.

[Seppuku Savant]

that's one of the reasons why I always have pets in pairs. I can't imagine living with a strange species, without like company

That's interesting. I've never heard of anyone else doing that before, regarding the pets. Er, with the exception of the fictional story, Noah's Ark.

Before thinking about it too much, I'd say I'd like to be alone. I would definitely go insane after a year or two. Maybe if there were 100 people of all personality types, on every continent. That would be o.k. Only one other person wouldn't work though. What if you didn't get along with them at all? Or they died?

[SiMey]

If there was no one else on the planet, who would I (have non-consensual sex with)?

I had to stop before I submitted this. I couldn't use the (one four letter word) I started with. I might gross you out.

Even I am cringing at the response that came to mind. Please, please forgive me for a very horrible dark sense of humour - if it can be called that. I'm a sad person. It's a coping mechanism born out of too much time spent working in a very dark industry where I deal with such issues.

Humour is for pushing boundaries - I hope.

Sane answer - even this Introvert needs some company at times.

[Rishki]

I agee in that I would want to be the ruler of that world, it's just what besides animals would I rule over? So I guess I would want a mysterious person to appear so I could rule over them...strictly business

[seoa]

i can't imagine living with just one other person... we would drive each other crazy :) i reckon 20 is about the minimum i could live with long term....

It would be true that without upkeep most of our facilities would fall into disrepair, however, if you were resourceful enough you would likely be able to survive quite easy....

I would begin to stockpile gasoline... food/water (see gun and ammunition stores)... Housing... Once everthing was set up life would just be an issue of maintaining survival.
nice to see someone who's thought it through already... i pick you for my other person :)

i'm going shooting in a couple of weeks, specifically to learn how to defend myself in this kind of scenario (well, assuming not quite everyone gets killed off at the end of the world)... too much apocalyptic sci-fi when i was younger, was re-reading one of those books recently & realised i wouldn't know which end of a gun to shoot if it happened. so i'm gonna learn, just in case - i know this is crazy, and i don't care :laugh:

[Deadgod]

It would suck to be the only one. No one's going to generate the electricity so I can't go around having fun with the latest technology. As a matter of fact, since there won't be any engineers and electricians, the nuclear power plant will be experiencing severe problems causing nuclear eruption and since these nuclear plants are in more than one location obviously, part of the earth would be engulfed in Nuclear Holocaust. I will die and if I don't by the explosions then by the radiation.
It's sad to be just the only one. This leads to me to a question about the afterlife. At times I wonder: if conscious thought does exist after death, then isn't that the equivalent of experiencing being alone in the world with no one?
If such is the case that both cases do occur simultaneously, then that is just hellish torment but does that not insight creation? Place someone completely by themselves and watch them create beings?
I love people despite the fact that I don't like to be around them so much as of now. I like the fact that I can engage with others and not feel like I'm alone. But if I am alone in my thoughts after my death, I must cope with this or eventually I will cope. But being completely alone lends itself to Promethean creationism.
This thread was way too important to be posted here IMO. It should've been posted on the Philosophy and Spirituality section.

[bricklayer]

Last person on earth? Sounds charming. Maybe the only person on the moon is a more likey possibility. I think I'll start building my spaceship.

[Liason]

I wouldn't like it. if there were 20 people maybe. Half female and half male. I would make them the beginning of my evil empire and rule over them. Mra ha ha ha ha!