History Channel special that might be of interest

Deb862 · #1 01/18/08, 08:02 PM

Hi everyone. I just happened to see the trailer for this upcoming special on the History Channel. It's called Life After People and looks very interesting. It airs Monday, Jan.21st at 9pm/8c. Here's the link to the trailer:

http://www.history.com/minisites/life_after_people

Ken Scharabok · #2 01/19/08, 03:51 AM

I've had a note taped to my TV for a couple of weeks now. I've something wondered the same thing - what would the Earth be like if humans suddenly disappeared.

Hard though to image even a Super Duper Bug or such which would kill 100%. Even in the worst epidemics, such as The Black Death, there have been a significant number of survivors.

I don't want to give the plot line away, but see if your local library can get you a loaner copy of The Return by Richard Maynard.

Deb862 · #3 01/19/08, 09:01 AM

From the other trailers that are at the same link down on the left hand side, they are going to go into several "scenarios" of how it could happen. In one of the trailers they do talk about the Black Death and how 60% of people at that time died. While that might not be 100%, that's a pretty significant number! There are about 8 or so more trailers on the show down on the left on that above link. They all play one after the other. Very interesting!

TedH71 · #4 01/19/08, 09:11 AM

I've also heard that humans were almost wiped out twice creating a genetic bottle neck. Maybe less than a few individuals. Not sure where I heard that.

Beltane · #5 01/19/08, 06:13 PM

Thanks for a great reminder ~ I am also planning on watching that.

YounGrey · #6 01/19/08, 07:11 PM

Thanks for the heads up!

whinnyninny · #7 01/19/08, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH71

I've also heard that humans were almost wiped out twice creating a genetic bottle neck. Maybe less than a few individuals. Not sure where I heard that.

Noah's Ark?

Terrabus · #8 01/20/08, 02:20 AM

Ever notice that when we talk of such things, we always assume it'll be us alive to deal with it? Call me half-empty kinda guy, but I'll prolly go the way of the rest of the 99% when the bad things happen.

steff bugielski · #9 01/20/08, 05:15 AM

I imagine once humans are gone the planet will go on with everything happening in perfect harmony, as it did before we screwed it all up.

hillsidedigger · #10 01/20/08, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedH71

I've also heard that humans were almost wiped out twice creating a genetic bottle neck. Maybe less than a few individuals. Not sure where I heard that.

As I recall, they say the eruption of a supervolcano about 80,000 years ago caused the early human population to drop to a mere few.

Ken Scharabok · #11 01/20/08, 07:30 AM

This is likely what you are thinking of. Speculation is it reduced human population to tens of thousands - no where near a total wipeout. I doubt human evolution could have created the very diverse races in that time. Had to have been widespread pockets of minimal effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Toba

By the way, Yellowstone is a potential super-volcano site.

hillsidedigger · #12 01/21/08, 05:59 AM

I sometimes wonder what the world will be like when it is no longer covered by 50 times too many people.

Lawbag · #13 01/21/08, 07:41 AM

I saw it advertised on PBS and I'd love to see it. But I don't have cable (not available) or satellite (got fed by with Dish), so who is gonna burn it to DVD for me?

michiganfarmer · #14 01/21/08, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrabus

Ever notice that when we talk of such things, we always assume it'll be us alive to deal with it? Call me half-empty kinda guy, but I'll prolly go the way of the rest of the 99% when the bad things happen.

that is a pretty interesting observation

hillsidedigger · #15 01/21/08, 07:42 PM

T - minus 5 minutes if you care to and have the channel to see it.

Helena · #16 01/21/08, 08:13 PM

There is a book by Alan Weisman called..Life on Earth Withou Us..(hope that's the correct title)..I just returned it to the library and it is a good and interesting read. Actually went to the movies over the holidays and saw the movie..Legend..It also was on the same idea..the only person alive in NYC etc. Makes you wonder though. But after reading the book I'm sure Mother Earth will do just fine without us here to upset her plans for this planet.

Ken Scharabok · #17 01/22/08, 05:47 AM

Very disappointed. Turned it off after about 40 minutes. Just starts with mankind being gone. I guess I would have liked to have heard some of their scenerios in which every human on earth can die within apparently one day before going into the aftermath.

Nice special effects, but really nothing I couldn't imagine on my own - such as the Space Needle eventually falling.

I doubt zoo animals will escape. More likely those from tourist places.

Tater Farm · #18 01/22/08, 06:41 AM

Our words exactly, Ken! DH & I were so looking forward to this one --- I kept falling asleep!

hillsidedigger · #19 01/22/08, 07:08 AM

I watched the first hour and the fact they really overlooked is that 6.5 billion human bodies would have been laying around somewhere. The dogs would have had a field day or month.

Gailann Schrader · #20 01/22/08, 09:58 AM

Science Fiction writers have been writing/talking about this for ever.

Yeah, initially lots of bodies to eat for the scavengers. With no-one to release them? Zoo animals would probably die where they've been caged. Even if they DID escape? Most wouldn't survive. Not enough "training" to self-promote themselves.

in 400+ years? Just ruins left - like Macchu Picchu or other civilizations that have fallen. Ankor Wat, etc.

Read Science Fiction. They've already discussed it. Nothing surprising here...