# If the world was ending, what is the very first thing you'd do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2006, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682 "2006-11-09T06:07:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/21 "2006-11-09T13:25:49Z")
Since it would take me more that 24 hours to reach my wife, I’d just ring her up and start talking to her. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/22 "2006-11-09T14:05:37Z")
I would make phone calls to all those I love, e mail all my internet friends, and post goodbyes on all my regular message boards. Then I would get a 5th of tequila, put on my favorite CDs, and snuggle with my dogs & cats till the time came, talking to God to set things right. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/23 "2006-11-09T14:43:29Z")
I’m one of the sentimental fools who would rush home or wherever to tell loved ones that they’re loved. I do like what some characters did in Greg Bear’s end-of-the-world novel _Forge of God_. This is a very rough paraphrase: One of the main characters took a trip into the Rocky Montains to see the world end. The Earth was literally ripped apart and everything on the surface was jolted violently upwards. Our character had an incredible view of the mountains, whole mountains from the peaks to their deep hidden roots, jostling amongst each other in mid-air like a handful of chipped flint tossed into the air. A hippie floated by, eyes closed and contemplating hippie thoughts, while the shaking of the earth produced a moan that filled the senses. And then, after a very short moment of awe and so forth, everything crashes into everything and our character meets a squishy end. Yeah, so I can’t do it justice. I thought it was a well-written scene and it touched me in places that are embarassing to discuss. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/24 "2006-11-09T15:04:38Z")
Well, sitting here at my desk at work, I can confidently say the FIRST thing I’d do is leave work. If the trains were running, I’d catch a train home. If not, I’d probably buy a bike and cycle the 25 miles. Not a bad way to spend a couple of my last hours. When home, I’d get the kids out of school, and spend the remaining time with my family. Would probably do our best to cook everybody’s favorite meals - depending on what we had in the house and whether we were able conveniently hit a nearby store. Personally, I’d consider heading out to a forest preserve or some place to be close to nature for as long as it lasts. But since that would probably not be my kids’ first choice, I’d probably spend the final time with my family at home. That is, if they wanted to spend the time with me. Stopped drinking a couple of years ago. While I would not resume right away and spend my last day drunk, I could imagine tossing down a couple of stiff gins in - say - hours 23-24. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/25 "2006-11-09T15:10:43Z")
Count me in the drinking club. I’d probably go find my buddy’s fire engine company - that is, if they weren’t out dousing the flames. NYC firemen have been known to take over a bar for a weekend and drink it dry. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/26 "2006-11-09T15:13:41Z")
I’m too far to make it home to my friends and family and nachos, so I guess I’d go to Maroua and try to get some pizza and a beer. I really hope this doesn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/27 "2006-11-09T15:15:34Z")
Drive back to St. Louis and spend the last day with my family and friends. Probably drink a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/28 "2006-11-09T15:18:29Z")
[QUOTE=zoogirl] I’d go down the street, totally nail the guy I’ve wanted desparately for the last year then go home and do the same to my old man. [/QUOTE] How come your old man gets sloppy seconds? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/29 "2006-11-09T15:22:28Z")
The very first thing I’d do is go check out the leftover Halloween candy in the bucket across the aisle. Then I’d check with my supervisor to see what we’re supposed to bill the end of the world to, the standard number, Minneapolis Community, or PTO. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/30 "2006-11-09T15:24:47Z")
That’s okay; he won’t care for long 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/31 "2006-11-09T15:29:56Z")
Well, ok let’s fit it all in: On the way home to hug the Wife, Kid and cats, I’d stop at the haircut place, and spend an hour or so completely ravishing, and being ravished in return by that hippie chick there that’s always calling me “honey” and rubbing my neck. And I don’t care if she is 23 years younger than me. Then - home to rub cats, hug family and such. ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/32 "2006-11-09T16:17:44Z")
The very first thing I’d do? Cry. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/33 "2006-11-09T16:30:37Z")
[QUOTE=monavis] Since no one knows for sure if this will be their last day or not,why not just live it the best you can? Every one’s world ends sometime. I personally would just do as I do every day for at my age who knows how many tomorrows there are left to live? monavis [/QUOTE] The only problem with this is dealing with the consequences when the world doesn’t, in fact, end. That being said, I’d tie up some loose ends that I’d never get to otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/34 "2006-11-09T16:46:36Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] Well, ok let’s fit it all in: On the way home to hug the Wife, Kid and cats, I’d stop at the haircut place, and spend an hour or so completely ravishing, and being ravished in return by that hippie chick there that’s always calling me “honey” and rubbing my neck. And I don’t care if she is 23 years younger than me. [/QUOTE] Yes. we can dream, can’t we. However, she’s probably heard that the world is going to end, too, and is on her way to her really cute boyfriend (or whatever else takes a hippie chick’s fancy). ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/35 "2006-11-09T16:53:33Z")
I’d feel fine. ---
**Author:** ![M.Meursault](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@M.Meursault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/M.Meursault)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/36 "2006-11-09T16:53:46Z")
Rob a pharmacy and go out in bleary-eyed style. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/37 "2006-11-09T17:11:17Z")
I would plant my apple trees. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/38 "2006-11-09T17:20:37Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] How come your old man gets sloppy seconds? [/QUOTE] Geography. His place is between work and home and anyway once I get home, I’m staying there! Come to think of it, the timeline goes “Leave work, see older kid, nail hottie, go home and hug younger kid, grab shower, nail old man.” Better? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/39 "2006-11-09T17:31:11Z")
Run down the hall and beat to death the senior manager who has been making life hell for me and my team the last couple of months. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682/40 "2006-11-09T17:39:34Z")
Post on the “The worlds ending: what are you gonna do?” thread. Then probably rant a bit on the “I don’t want the gobsmacking world to fvcking end!!” thread that will be in the Pit. Then write about my favorite apocalyptic stories in the Cafe Society thread “You’re favorite end of the world stories”, then get into it with some conspiracy-monger in GD about “Is the end of the world yet another Karl Rove trick, like 9/11??!?” :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-world-was-ending-what-is-the-very-first-thing-youd-do/379682.md?page=3)