If we all have an individual death, why are so many people focused on the world ending?

Darrell Roberts has asked the above question regarding death. Now although I am approaching retirement I have no children and so one may assume that I would not care one way or another, but I do. However it is not an easy question to answer.

THE WORLD

The World has many trials and tribulations but overall it is a fantastic place and a great concept. Whether it was created by the hand of an Almighty or simply is a scientific fact I have no idea. My opinion on this matter seems to change with time and whatever life is throwing at me at the time. I do not think that I will ever hold a firm belief either way. One thing is almost certain though I will find out after I die. Of course, if there is just nothing but death I won't really know, will I?

Still I transgress.

The issue about people's obsession with the world ending seems obvious to me. The world is our home. I use the word OUR as a means of referring to every person and creature who lives on this planet. If you have already reached a ripe old age you will no doubt have experienced love, hate, ill heath, fitness, happiness, sadness, fun, laughter, War, Peace, friends, family, music, Art, dance, beautiful sunsets, magnificent skies, sex, travel, beauty, evil, kindness, warmth, cold, the Seasons and basically the wonder of it all. If you are really lucky you will have experienced more of the good life than the bad.

Yes some of it will have been hard work but hopefully overall you will have come to the conclusion that the World is a magnificent place, warts and all. Would you want to deprive a young person of having this lifetime of experience.

NEXT GENERATIONS

Whether or not you have children should not matter. If you are a right minded person you should want this earth to survive. Apart from humans the earth supports many other living things be it wildlife, insects or plants and flowers. Trees have often been around for hundreds of years and will be here long after we are gone. Does it not matter what happens to all of those? Just because we know that we will die someday should we not care about what is left behind and the world of other inhabitants of the earth?.

I believe that man has an in built instinct of survival. That instinct which makes him procreate and want to leave a little of him or her self behind on earth after death.

Anyway who knows what the after life may involve. Perhaps as some religions believe we will all be resurrected or re born.Much use that will be if the Earth has gone.

What about the sea's of the world?. Much of the earth is covered in water and there is in effect a whole other world living there. Sea Turtles have been known to live hundreds of years.

The next generations of people and creatures to walk this earth deserve to inherit a planet that has been cared for and protected. These days we all like to consider ourselves civilised and brag that we have come a long way since we were living in primitive conditions.

Part of that education though means that we should be able to see the whole picture and take the long view. To think that it does not matter because one day we will die is very narrow minded. It is also selfish.

I guess in many ways this hub is just exploring a few of my thoughts which this question prompted. I think much of it boils down to the fact that although we all know we will die we:-

• Do not know when we will die.
• Deep down we hope for miracle cures that will extend our lives
• Never really believe that we will die.
• We are caring enough to want to look after the World.
• Our deaths are inevitable but the demise of the World is not. At least not for a very long time when the Sun burns out and leaves earth uninhabitable, as we know it.

We are all mindful of the world coming to an end as on a personal level it could shorten our lives. We also know that we could make a difference about the destruction of the World. Unlike or own eventual death the World could carry on, if we look after it.

Just think about the human race and those inventions that have been created over the years. Some may have been bad but aren't we resourceful. We have found cures for illnesses, ways to improve our life expectancy, means of travel even into outer space and now have so much.

Perhaps we should also give some thought to the whole expanse of space. If we let our world expire will this event have a detrimental effect on other planets and galaxies? Will we just be another star blinking into obscurity?

Many like to think that the Earth is special and the only planet supporting life as we know it. As such does the Earth not warrant extra special care and protection. In the same way that a unique antique becomes more valuable surely the Earth has.

We are citizen's of the World ,not just single entities running about like frightened rabbits and not caring about anything that sits a little outside of our normal routine. At least I hope we are not.

Finally, on a selfish note, who knows how painful the end of the world would be to all of us on an individual level. It might not just be BANG and you are no more. Think about that if you will.

I do hope my ramblings have answered the question but deep down I feel that I have asked raised more queries than answers.