By James Zheng
Doomsday always sounds like it will never happen. However, it is reasonable to speculate what aftermath doomsday could bring and be prepared to face it. But in this post, the main focus is not giving some “science-fiction” ways we could use. You might have heard things like time-travel, someone’s random superpower, or even like some confidential files that determine human fate. These are unrealistic! So, in this post, I am only going to point out some realistic methods that could possibly save human civilization (or not).
Nuclear Fission. Nuclear fission, also known as nuclear division, is the change of one nucleus splitting into several nuclei. Only some very large nuclei such as uranium, thorium and plutonium can work with the fission. After absorbing a neutron, the nuclei of these atoms will split into two or more nuclei with smaller mass. At the same time, they will release two or three neutrons and an immense amount of energy, which can make other nuclei undergo nuclear fission. This process is called chain-reaction (like trigger-to-trigger). When nuclear fission occurs, the nucleus releases huge amounts of nuclear energy. To give you a concept of how much energy is released, the energy produced by one kilogram of uranium could keep a nuclear power plant running for one thousand hours. Why should nuclear fission be mentioned here? Well, if we think about what has forged the human civilization of technology today, once the doomsday comes, nuclear fission could support humans to rebuild everything. If humans master use of nuclear fission, it is infinite energy. Without energy, it will be infinite regression.
Space Colonization? Kepler-452b is a wonderful astronomical discovery achieved by NASA in 2015. It is considered to be the only planet that contains 83% similarity to Earth’s structure. It is located in a constellation called Cygnus, fourteen thousand light years from the Earth. This seeming “habitable” planet, which revolves around the sun like a star and is about the size of Earth, may have a similar atmosphere and flowing water resource. Although many people misunderstand this planet as a second Earth, it has never been officially claimed that by NASA. However, it is a possible hope for planet migration.
The Man-Made Sun. Or International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, now that is us as humans playing God. This project was actually started in 2003. It involves a cooperation program that puts many countries in the same spot. It is estimated to cost five billion dollars and will take ten years approximately to complete. The Man-Made Sun is related to nuclear fission by way of the same aspect of learning to manipulate nuclear power. When doomsday comes, to maintain or rebuild ecological systems and to have the positive effects from the sun as usual, man-made sun may be indispensable.
So, there you have it. Now your question might be: does it mean that reading this post could possibly save my life? Well, unfortunately, probably not, because I do not think there is a doomsday, at least not yet. And plus, it depends on what form doomsday would take. But, I do keep an optimistic view towards the future. There better not be a real doomsday. Still, I hope you learned something . . . just in case there is.
In times of calamity, we always have new solutions, just like the three examples I give you. Especially during this harsh time, I hope you stay safe, and trust each other.
Doomsday Editor: Doreen Yuan