Pompeii

Or, should I say, Vesuvius. 79 AD, pyroclastic superheated air, hot ash molds of victims. It’s fascinated everyone since its discovery in the 1500s. The climate doom prophets claim we are living on the slopes of a pyroclastic-possible Earth at this very moment.

But _ well _ hard to tell. The climate is warming, and the cause is humanity, but the results are uncertain. Surely we must lose what we are used to, and all kinds of disasters will occur, but the Earth has been hotter (and colder) in the past. We are not about to be incinerated one fine morning with molds around us for little green men to pour plaster of Paris into when they finally discover our planet. 

The Vesuvius scenario is only one of many apocalyptic ones. A long list, from nuclear war or plague to AI domination or nano goo. It helps people cope _ not unlike predestination, since the burden of results from each our own actions will soon be obliterated anyway. And _ hey _ it all fits with Christian scripture!

Suppose you were living in Pompeii, AD 77. Even if you knew the volcano might blow, would you move? You’d assume you would have warnings and time. You’d enjoy the fertile fields and lovely views _ it wasn’t a resort town for no reason. And, by all normal logic, you would be right to do so. (In fact, many people did leave after the first earthquake a day or so before.)

An apocalyptic mindset is inevitably nihilistic. It’s no way to live a decent life _ even the wonderful moments you could enjoy are tainted with an existential dread.

Up until that tragic moment, should it ever happen, you should strive to be happily ignorant of the future.