That's how long it would take before Earth, or any inhabitants thereof, would know that the sun burned out and died. Eight Minutes. I thought how good a title that would make for one of those "disaster films," or a story - - perhaps there already is one.
But imagine a movie or story where everyone has eight minutes to say good bye. Eight minutes. Eight Minutes before the earth and everything on it will plunge into extinction.
The universe and sun and planets and the edge of the universe program facinated on the Discovery Channel's show about The Edge of the Universe. Had me thinking about those 8 minutes.
So, what would you do with your Eight Minutes? Before everything begins to fall apart. Eight Minutes. Then, the sky would grow dark, and cold, and . . .
What would your Eight Minutes be like?
PS: In theory, if there is only 8 minutes, those of us who want to "be with our families" may be out of luck - if the sun dying is a surprise . . . so then what?
(PPS -- the sun isn't ready to die, yet - it's still in maybe it's middle ages, and has a loooonnnnng time to go - maybe millions of more years . . .)
16 comments:
I would treat myself to smoking a cigarette in the house while listening to Radiohead's song Exit Music, and grind some coffee beans. Though I probably wouldn't have time to actually make and drink the coffee!
The people I love know already, so I wouldn't have to rush around trying to tell them.
I think for most people there would be a lot of cryin and a lot of prayin' :O) Good reminder to consider.
Interesting. My first thought would be that I would want to reach out and connect with my children - but lines of communication would be overloaded and unreliable. If I could not connect with them - I would go to a spot outside that I love and breathe in the love of the universe as I know it and breathe out love to all my precious ones.
And you?
It would all be spent with my family. I don't even want to think about it, though.
I don't know Kat. Maybe a really good cup of coffee would be nice.
My husband absorbs shows like that. They freak.me.out.
Panic would set in for me. And as much as I'd want to call various friends and family, I'd hunker down with my husband and daughters. Hunker down. And pray. Would there be any other option, for eight minutes?
I would hold and comfort (and be held and comforted by) whoever I happened to be with. Hopefully that person would be my baby daughter, or my husband, or both.
I imagine I would also feel a sense of peace. I always feel that way when I realize things are "out of my hands." And the 8-minute scenario would definitely qualify!
Come to think of it, it might be the happiest eight minutes of my life.
I'd like to think that I'd do something profound here, but whenever I'm on the clock and preparing to "go out" - I acquire a nervous urge to pee every 2 minutes... odds are pretty good that I wouldn't go out in a dignified fashion. :D
A combination of prayer (to pave my way to the next level of life) and serious drinking (so as not to suffer when the eight minutes is up.)
I would sit in the vineyards with a few bottles of good village wine. Toast my children and sit in the comfort of DH's arms.
Hold close to my family and faith. Or if fam was all apart, try to get on conference phone call, but if we didn't know, then how.........oh well...
Wow this may seem a little off topic but maybe not. A former coworker I used to share a train ride with a lot died this week. When I got the news I thought what I always do when I find out someone I know has died. Did I share my faith with her? We hadn't talked in over a year. I wondered did I tell Kim how much God loves her. I remembered our talks and I did share. So I hope my last eight minutes would be free of fear and thoughts of "Is this gonna hurt" because I would think that. I hope instead I would telling whomever is around how much God loves them and this is only the beginning not the end.
Ok so very very late last night I was watching this movie called Sunshine that came on the SYFY channel. I was a 3 star movie about this group of scientist in 2057 I think who have to go to the sun to renergize it because the earth has become winter. The visuals reminded me of your post...and the awesome power of the sun. I just thought it was pretty cool.
You're right, it would be a great title. I think I would start walking, with my sweetie if possible, and walk right into the end.
This wouldn't happen during "Dancing with the Stars," would it? That would change everything.
And here's another question: it wouldn't go back on in like 9 minutes, would it, so that we could be held legally liable for the wild and crazy thing we did during minutes 6 & 7? That could get embarassing.
Nice thought provoking post! I would dance to my favorite Cajun song and have a farewell shot of Bourbon. lol Guess there would be no time for a shrimp poboy! Cheers, cher!
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