The Random Comic Strip

The Random Comic Strip

Words to live by...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."

[Spanish Proverb]

Ius luxuriae publice datum est

(The right to looseness has been officially given)

"Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders," wrote Ludwig von Mises, "no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interest, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle."

Apparently, the crossword puzzle that disappeared from the blog, came back.


Saturday, July 25, 2009

What if?


As some of you know, I am a lover of science fiction. Not a fanatic about it (or anything else) but I enjoy it more than most other genres. I have watched as many cheesy Sci-Fi movies as have been made in the last 60 years. I grew up on them. I have watched Sci-Fi series on TV since Captain Video. In fact, on that last, I used to get visions of the players in the dentist's chair while under the influence of the nitrous oxide that was used in the 50s. I loved the old Flash Gordon serials with Buster Crabbe.

Of all the various genres, Sci-Fi captures my attention the most. In the 70s, I ran across a British TV series called "UFO" that hooked me on the British form of Sci-Fi. Oh, Dr. Who was around already but I didn't like it. Maybe it was a bit too cheesy (though I have come to believe that isn't possible with Sci-Fi), I don't know. I just couldn't get into it. Then. Now, of course, I am hooked on the new version that was revived in 2005 and plays on BBC America.

Along with the updated Dr. Who, a new Sci-Fi has drawn my attention. It's called Torchwood. It is a companion series, inter-connected, to Dr. Who. And, at first, was as mindless an entertainment as its companion series.

Until now.

The series has, apparently, run its course. So, in a final blowout, a 5 part mini-series was presented over the last 5 days. The premise for the presentation was simple:

An alien species, very powerful, made a deal with the British government in 1965 where they would provide an antidote to a virus they had unleashed upon the world in exchange for 12 children. The children (orphans who would not be missed) were provided and the aliens provided the antidote. A horrible concept, to be sure, but a fair trade because the virus would have killed 25 million people.

And the aliens have now returned. And this time they want 10% of the world's children or they will annihilate our entire species.


But this is not a review of the mini-series. It is a review of the show's premise. Well, more of a question based on the show's premise.


What would you do, if you were the leader of a government, if faced with prospect of giving up 10% of the children in order to avoid the annihilation of the human race?

What do you think our current leaders would do?


[1562/1563/1432]

6 comments:

HektikLyfe said...

Our world leaders would never come to an agreement and ultimately end up warring with each other decimating the entire planet. We would show those aliens, coming back to a destroyed, radioactive planet.

That show sounds interesting, I'll try to find it on Netflix.

HektikLyfe said...

Oh have you ever seen "The Returner"?

Douglas said...

Hektik - You are probably right. They'd all be blaming each other. I hadn't heard of The Returner but the description I found of it sounds good, I'll have to look for it.

The Jules said...

Bloody hell, thsoe first 12 kids must've made a good impression.

The Jules said...

Bloody hell, thsoe first 12 kids must've made a good impression.

HektikLyfe said...

Oh have you ever seen "The Returner"?