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.
To read the rest of this story, check out the Mad Scientist Journal: Spring 2013 collection.
Lady Dr. Morag MacChruim has lead a long and highly successful career in the scientific and cryptographic departments of the British Secret Services, all of which is now subject to the Official Secrets Act, save for one incident in India in the 1950s involving a horde of mechanical elephants. Upon the death of her father, Dr. MacChruim inherited the Lairdship of the Middle Hebrides and later retired to the family estate on the island of Hiersay, where she continues her research into large scale disasters and rare sheep breeds.
Zoe McAuley is a resident of northern England and approaching her late twenties at a frightening rate. Lacking any other means of gainful employment, she has taken to putting Lady Dr. MacChruim’s notes into a format intelligible to the rest of the human population. She enjoys Live Action Roleplaying and getting lost in caverns in Minecraft.
Dawn Vogel has been published as a short fiction author and an editor of both fiction and non-fiction. Although art is not her strongest suit, she’s happy to contribute occasional art to Mad Scientist Journal. By day, she edits reports for historians and archaeologists. In her alleged spare time, she runs a craft business and tries to find time for writing. She lives in Seattle with her awesome husband (and fellow author), Jeremy Zimmerman, and their herd of cats. For more of Dawn’s work visit http://historythatneverwas.com/
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