From warren_ellis' site

[wolven7]

Apocalypse Scale.

Don't get me wrong, this scale is pure fucking genius, but is there any functional difference between levels 5 and X?

If there is no real chance for the re-emergence of life, then it would seem that it doesn't matter if that's because of planetoid collision, or being harvested for parts.

Enjoy.

Comments

[raoin.livejournal.com]

i know there's probably no real difference (in a logical way) between planetoid collision and being harvested for parts... but i think what it really gets at is the human desire to know that something would be left over.

thus, it could, to someone, emotionally or psychologically at least, make a difference if the earth remains or not. after all, if we get our planet harvested for parts, then no one will ever find our really cool time capsules... :(

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Well. They'd probably find it in the parts. Chunk of New Mexico, here, piece of North Carolina, there.

Then you have too ask: if there is some kind of magical resonance to the planet, ley lines, or whatever, do the parts retain the essence?

Hm.

[raoin.livejournal.com]

exactly, and if you believe that your essence follows those lines, is reassumed into them, or that by their destruction your inherent selfness is also destroyed, then the total dissolution of the planet means more to you than just knowing that it will sit there in the void "without any actual biological life on it" but still there.

[wolven.livejournal.com]

I'd be willing to say that it'd matter about the same, to me. If I know that my essence is tied to the planet, and that the planet retains pieces of itself, even when scavenged (like an evil hand trying to kill the new recipient, or some such), then i'd be pretty okay with that.

[fmephisto.livejournal.com]

Maybe it is functionally different because only one planet per universe can be designated to support life, and so, a sterile earth must be destroyed to allow a new designation to be made.

Because that's the rules.

[wolven.livejournal.com]

So, even if it's wiped clean, it still needs to be completely erradicated, before new things can start? Hm. Interesting idea.