An essay by Lady Dr. Morag MacChruim, as provided by Zoe McAuley
Photo by Dawn Vogel
This treatise is intended to define a field of study which has long been the focus of my life: Experimental Eschatology. The term is my own and I define it as the study and analysis of potential means of ending the world. The world in question is somewhat cluttered with demented supervillains, rogue states, and states which do not consider themselves rogue but do like to throw their weight about in a rather uncouth manner. In times like these, Experimental Eschatology is vital, not to assist in the destruction of this poor planet, but to predict disasters and thereby be prepared to take countermeasures. The desire for such precautions is the primary motivation for my research, despite what certain small-minded elements of MI5 might think.
However, before we can properly explore the various potential apocali which might befall us, there must be an accurate and robust terminology in place to describe these threats. The modern media throw the term “End of The World” around with sloppy abandon, likewise “Collapse of Civilisation” and “Global Disaster.” Such confused language is beneath a true science such as Experimental Eschatology. Thus I will begin by dividing possible threats into a scale of disaster. I will also categorise these threats by source, for it is necessary to approach an alien invasion in a very different manner to a mega-volcanic eruption.
Thus, I present to you the MacChruim Armageddon Scale.
