‘Deep Impact’ was a science fiction film released in 1998. The plot is a pretty well trod story about the imminent impact of a comet onto the earth and the resulting devastation. Cue special effects of scenes of catastrophic destruction – always a good night’s entertainment!
Of course this is a potential reality in that we know that there have several mass extinctions of life on earth which probably have been caused by the impact of large astronomical bodies with the earth. Some scientists estimate that there have been up to twenty mass extinctions within the last 500 million years. It is sobering to think that over 99% of all the life that has ever existed on the earth is now extinct!
There is no reason to think that we are somehow immune to this phenomenon and that it was just something in the past. I haven’t actually seen the film which apparently got good reviews but didn’t do well at the box office, but it is clear that the impact of a reasonable sized comet on the earth would be truly devastated and would certainly wipe out the human race. However in good Hollywood theatrical style in the Deep Impact film, humanity is somehow saved from total annihilation!
What would happen if the government suddenly announced that a comet was on the way to earth and would impact sometime in the next five years and destroy all life? Well, if we were a film director we would arrange scenes of mass panic and perhaps panic would be the first reaction. But you can only panic for so long. When the reality sets in, how then would people react?
The truth is they would probably react in all sorts of different ways. Some might become suicidal and depressive but others might well prioritise their remaining life and undertake good works. Some might say “what’s the point” and give up and others might say “let’s make the best of what’s left”.
Well, welcome to the world of the cancer sufferer because that is exactly what it’s like. You’ve got a life threatening disease that is going to kill you but you don’t know when. What do you do? Run around in a panic like a headless chicken? Become morbid and depressed and don’t get invited to any more parties? Or try to enjoy whatever time is left?
