Question of the Day: We Asked New Zealanders How the World Will Actually End

(Top image via Flickr)

Five years since the supposed end of times, as predicted by the Mayans, we're still hanging in here, but we find ourselves coming to terms with some pretty freaky realities; climate change, cyber warfare and perhaps most concerning of all; President-elect Donald Trump. So, on the eve of his inauguration I hit the streets of Auckland to find out what people think could really finish off our existence.

What do you think will bring about the end of the world?
Civil wars, in each country. People will get scared and buy lots of supplies.

Where do you think would be the best place to be if that happened?
I think it will be the same in each country. I'm from France and there has been a lot of trouble like terrorists and things like that but those things don't happen here.

You're not too worried about Trump being inaugurated tomorrow then? 
No, I absolutely don't care. In my opinion; it won't change anything. Every President from every country is always talking but never acting.

If the world was to end, how do you think it would happen?
Hardik Sood: Well if you've seen the 2012 movie, we might have a clear picture, hahaha. Maybe a meteor crash?

Will climate change play a part, do you think?
Naman: I think maybe World War III.
Hardik Sood: According to me, if the world starts with a big bang I think it will end with a big bang. We don't really stand a chance.

If something like that was to happen, do you think New Zealand is a good place to be or it won't matter anyway?
Hardik Sood: Well, New Zealand is a small island, I think we might have a better chance back home in India. It's not really about surviving; if the world was going to end I would want to be with my family.

What do you think will bring an end to planet earth: climate change or world war?
Geetika: Yeah I think it could be World War III.

Do you think you'd fight for your country if another world war broke out?
Purnima: I wouldn't want to fight but I would like to help.

How would you help?
Geetika? Maybe help the needy people.

Like the sick and the wounded people? 
Purnima: Yeah we can do that. 
Geetika: Instead of trying to fight the other country, I would just like to help the people who need it, like a kind of social work.

If we're to see the end of the world, how do you think it'll go down?
The skies are getting so dirty all over, all the cities are seeing it now.

Pollution? You think too much pollution is gonna kill us all?
Yeah, I think the pollution will end the world.

Do you think NZ is a good place to be in that case?
In my opinion, yeah. But of course, it will catch up with all of us eventually. If the world ends, everything is destroyed, there will be no countries left.

What do you think has potential to end the world?
Nuclear warfare.

Jeepers, who do you think will kick that off?
Russia.

You think we're in a pretty good spot in New Zealand then or are we gonna wiped out too?
Yeah nah, I think we're pretty safe. Safer than other places.

You're not too worried then? You don't think we're gonna the end of the world anytime soon?
It's so weird you say that, I had a dream the world ended last night. It just blew up eh. I googled it today and apparently it means I'm worried about something ending.

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