MetaChat is an informal place for MeFites to touch base and post, discuss and
chatter about topics that may not belong on MetaFilter. Questions? Check the FAQ. Please note: This is important.
28 December 2005
The world is ending in some strange, prescribed way. You can only have one of the following for the rest of your life: The company of people; the company of animals; music.
People. I have this weird vision where I join my wife and in-laws in rural Maine after civilization breaks down. They have a way of making it seem like it's all going to work out.
I've got lots of music stored in my head, and there are about three people in the real world I can tolerate, so it's the animals by a landslide. (Though maybe I could dress Science Girl up in a dog suit...)
Animals, 'cause not only are they made of tasty meat, but the cute furry ones make good slippers too! Also, humans are out, because I'm not sure that long pig makes good bacon. And life without bacon just ain't worth it.
My first choice would be music, because even though I love animals, they're not all nice and fuzzy-wuzzy and some can kill you. But then I thought, if there are no people around, there's no one to make new music, so I'd be listening to the same old shit for the rest of my life, so maybe animals would be the way to go, just for the variety. Then I thought, there's a fuckload of music in the world already that I haven't even been exposed to yet, probably enough to keep it interesting until I die of old, sexless age.
You know, it's funny. When I first read this question my immediate response was "animals". I often say that I like animals more than most people and the thought of living the rest of my life without them pains me. A lot. But when I really thought about it I had to admit that I do need people around me. Someone to talk to. Someone who will be there with me when this strange apocalypse actually happens. So I'm going to have to go with people.
Although if this hypothetical situation were to occur before my dog passes away I might have to answer animals after all, loneliness be damned, 'cause there's no way I'm getting rid of my foofy fluffy butt.
But then, hell, there's always masturbation, isn't there? It's not the same, but it satisfies in its own way nonetheless.
People, by and large, are dangerous and stupid, and without them, I'd get to do anything I want. Except for killing people, which isn't actually something I want to do.
I guess, in the end, I'm going to have to go with people. It'd be pretty pointless drawing or writing without anyone else around.
I'd miss my cat and my banjo and Jimi Hendrix, though.
mudpuppie, I agree. My cats are sitting on the back of the couch looking at me with half closed eyes and purring gently. If they don't love us back it's a good facsimile.
People. No question. I can make music, and although I really love animals, I've got to have discussions and love and the fascination that is another's mind.
Of course, I'm assuming that I'd be with people like you guys: smart, funny, good lookin'...
"Books." But I'll take music, if you won't let me have my books. There aren't that many real world people I could tolerate surviving the apocalypse with, and I've never been much of an animal person.
photo by splunge
photo by TheophileEscargot
photo by Kronos_to_Earth
photo by ethylene
