The top 10 alternative ways to repurpose the stuff you already own could be the line between thriving and merely surviving when the world goes sideways. The apocalypse can strike without warning, so having a handful of creative tricks up your sleeve—using toilet paper, safety pins, glass bottles, and more—means you’ll be ready to turn ordinary items into deadly weapons, handy medical supplies, or essential protective gear.

10 Toilet Paper

When factories grind to a halt and medical supplies become scarce, you’ll need to improvise a bandage. Toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue can all act as makeshift dressings in a pinch. They’re soft enough to cushion a wound yet absorbent enough to hold a little moisture.

But remember: paper disintegrates when it meets liquid and most of it isn’t sterile. Using it directly on an open cut could leave fibers behind and introduce infection. To mitigate these risks, soak the paper in a solution of clean water mixed with soap—soap is a basic compound that will neutralize many bacteria.

After the paper softens into a pulp, gently press it onto the abrasion without forcing it into the wound. Cover the pulp with a dry sheet of paper to hold it in place. If bleeding persists, discard the used material and start over with a fresh batch.

9 Safety Pins

Most people know that bobby pins can pick a lock, but safety pins actually make a superior set of tools. Their slimmer profile and greater flexibility give you better control, while the broad circular head serves as a comfortable grip for a tension wrench.

If you have tweezers, bend the two pins apart, being careful not to snap the safety head or the thin wire loop. Shape the sharp tip into an “L” to act as your tension wrench, and use the wider head as the pick. A slight “V” bend on the pick can make it easier to rake the tumblers inside the lock.

Without tweezers, the process takes longer, but you can still fashion a functional set. Grip each pin by its broad side, insert the narrow tip into the keyway, and apply gentle pressure with the makeshift tension wrench at the bottom. Rake the pick back and forth until the pins set and the lock yields.

8 Glass Bottles

Glass containers are normally prized for holding liquids, but in a chaotic world they can become lethal weapons. Shattered glass offers a quick, inexpensive way to arm yourself or set up defensive traps around your shelter.

To protect yourself while breaking glass, wear thick gloves or use a sturdy object to shield your hands. Once you have a pile of shards, you can spread them across the floor as a “glass carpet,” forcing intruders to wear protective footwear or risk serious cuts.

If you have the means, crush the shards into a fine dust and pack it into pouches—these dust bombs can cause asphyxiation if inhaled. Additionally, you can fashion projectiles or pole weapons by affixing larger shards to sticks, giving you a ranged option for repelling marauders.

7 Shower Curtains

When fallout rains down after a nuclear event, you’ll likely lack a proper radiation suit. A shower curtain made of polyester or nylon can be turned into a makeshift protective covering thanks to its waterproof, non‑organic fibers.

Gather any raincoats, windbreakers, or other waterproof garments that contain no cotton or wool. Layer them together, securing seams with duct tape or plastic twine to seal gaps. Any metal threads or absorbent fibers must be removed or covered, as they can trap radioactive particles.

If you don’t have a gas mask, improvise a simple filter by folding clean fabric over your nose and mouth. After venturing into contaminated zones, wash off any fallout that clings to the suit’s exterior before re‑entering your safe area.

6 Hair Conditioner

Believe it or not, hair conditioner can latch onto radioactive particles. Its chemical makeup binds to ionized fallout, making it a handy tool for both protection and offense.

If you manage to collect a batch of irradiated conditioner, you have two nasty options: slowly poison a foe by slipping the mixture into their food or coat their hair, allowing the radioactive isotopes to cling to each strand and cause long‑term damage.

On the defensive side, you can use conditioner as a sweeping agent. Apply a thin layer to a contaminated object; the conditioner will attract and hold fallout particles. Afterwards, scrub the item with water and a cleaning solution to remove the radioactive residue.

5 Sugar

“Kill them with sugar” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a practical tip. Table sugar (sucrose) can be combined with potassium nitrate, a common household salt, to create a potent solid rocket fuel.

When mixed in the right proportions, this sugary propellant burns hotter and brighter than many conventional fuels, making it ideal for rapid heat generation, bright signaling, or even forging metal on the fly.

One creative application is to attach small rocket‑fuel packets to arrows, turning them into mini‑propelled projectiles. With enough of these “rocket arrows” and a few strategic traps, you can defend a perimeter or hunt game without needing sophisticated weaponry.

4 Notebooks

Metal‑bound notebooks hide a trove of useful bits. The spiral spine is a thin, pliable wire that can be removed and repurposed as twine, a trip‑wire, or even tiny needles and makeshift nails.

If you unwind enough of the coil, you can craft a sturdy frame for a trip‑wire alarm. With a bit of patience you can also cut the wire into short lengths to fashion improvised sutures or tiny fasteners for repairing gear.

The cardboard covers are equally versatile. Their pre‑punched holes let you thread rope through to create shutters or simple pulley systems. Meanwhile, the paper inside can serve as fuel—crumple each page into a ball to increase oxygen flow, then ignite for a quick, controllable fire.

Extra paper balls can double as an acoustic alarm: scatter them across a hallway so any intruder’s footsteps rustle loudly, giving you an early warning of unwanted guests.

3 Lighters

Pocket lighters do more than spark a candle. By tweaking the flame‑adjustment lever, you can double the flame’s size, yielding a brighter, hotter blaze—though the fuel will burn out twice as fast.To achieve this, remove the tiny plastic brace on a cheap disposable lighter, locate the flame‑height lever, push it fully to the “high” position, then lift it off its track, reset it to “low,” and push back to “high.” The result is a flame roughly twice as large, perfect for cutting rope or igniting damp tinder.

For a quick distraction, you can create a flint‑spark flash. Empty lighters still contain a small flint bar; heat it and strike it against a hard surface to produce a bright, brief flash—useful for signaling or blinding an assailant momentarily.

2 Brooms Or Mops

The humble broom or mop handle can become a versatile pole arm. Strip off the brush or mop head, and you’ve got a sturdy staff—ideal for bashing, reaching into dangerous zones, or probing for hidden traps.

Sharpen one end and affix a makeshift spearhead for added lethality. Even without a spear, the pole works as a reliable hiking stick or a trap detector: slide it ahead of you to test the ground, sacrificing the staff rather than a hand.

If you have a stockpile of poles, sharpen each tip, drive them into the earth, and arrange them in rows to form a simple wooden palisade—an effective barrier against intruders.

1 Silverware

When civilization collapses, your cutlery can become more than a dining set. However, if the metal is true silver, avoid it in a radiological fallout—silver readily absorbs radioactive isotopes and becomes hazardous itself.

Forks, knives, and spoons each have unique uses. Knives can be mounted on poles to create spears, extending reach and turning a simple blade into a serious melee weapon. Forks double as makeshift stakes: drive the pronged end into the ground, then sharpen the handle for a painful trap.

Spoons can reinforce a pole arm. Melt three to five spoons together, bend their flattened ends into right angles, and bolt the fused mass onto the staff’s blunt side. Secure with twine or small nails for a sturdy, blunt reinforcement.

These everyday implements, when repurposed thoughtfully, can give you a fighting edge in a world where conventional weapons are scarce.

Top 10 Alternative Survival Hacks

From improvised bandages to makeshift radiation suits, this top 10 alternative guide shows how ordinary household items can be transformed into essential survival gear. Master these tricks now, and you’ll be ready for whatever the end of the world throws your way.

When we talk about the top 10 victims of the retail apocalypse, the list reads like a walk down memory lane of once‑mighty retailers that have vanished under the pressure of e‑commerce, shifting consumer habits, and the pandemic.

10 Department Stores

Department stores have traditionally been the backbone of shopping malls, occupying the largest footprints in suburban strip malls and downtown retail corridors. Yet they’re marching toward oblivion.

Marshall Field’s, a 19th‑century icon, and Hecht’s, founded in 1957, were both absorbed by Macy’s in 2005, which either rebranded or shuttered every location. A year later, Macy’s retired the Kaufmann’s name. Even Macy’s itself, established in 1929, is on shaky ground, planning to close 125 stores over the next three years.

The Bon‑Ton family—including Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder‑Beerman, Herberger’s, and Younkers—was liquidated in 2018, resulting in 256 closed doors. Filene’s, a Boston staple launched in 1881, went bankrupt in 2009, erasing all its brick‑and‑mortar presence. California’s Mervyn’s, founded in 1949 and once boasting nearly 200 locations, declared bankruptcy in 2008 and vanished entirely.

Two historic names, Sears and JCPenney, linger but are severely weakened. Sears (alongside K‑Mart) has shuttered more than 3,500 stores and slashed roughly 250,000 jobs over the past 15 years. After filing Chapter 11 in October 2018, it was bought by Transformco in February 2019, which announced fewer than 200 Sears and K‑Mart outlets would survive.

JCPenney, which peaked at over 1,100 stores in 2010, has been forced to close a large portion of its network due to declining sales. The retailer hasn’t posted a quarterly sales gain since the 2017 holiday season (2019 holiday same‑store sales fell 7.5%). Six locations closed in early 2020, and the coronavirus ultimately pushed the chain into bankruptcy.

9 Clothing Stores

Clothing retailers serve every demographic—from whole‑family chains to niche boutiques. Yet many have been swept away alongside the department giants.

Filene’s Basement, an off‑price offshoot of the original Filene’s department store, closed all 20 of its locations in 2011. The Limited abruptly shuttered its 250 stores in 2017. In January 2019, after 123 years of operation, Henri Bendel closed its 23‑store empire.

Charlotte Russe, a women’s fashion chain founded in the mid‑1970s, eliminated more than 500 stores in April 2019. Plus‑size retailer Avenue closed 222 stores in August 2019, and the same month saw San Antonio’s A’Gaci shut all 54 locations. Luxury flagship Barneys New York, established in 1923, ceased operations in February 2020. DressBarn announced the closure of its entire 650‑store network, citing unprofitable performance in today’s retail climate.

Teen‑focused brands also fell victim. Steve & Barry’s, known for cheap sportswear, vanished in 2009. Gadzooks, launched in 1983, filed for bankruptcy in 2005 and was later absorbed by Forever 21, which subsequently closed all its stores. Wet Seal, another teen apparel name, permanently closed in 2017 and now exists only online.

Gymboree, a children’s clothing chain, closed 400 stores under Chapter 11 protection in 2017. By January 2019, it filed again and shuttered over 800 Gymboree and Crazy 8 locations. The brand’s merchandise now lives on through The Children’s Place. Premium children’s label Peek Kids folded when parent Charlotte Russe went under; it is now sold by Mamiye Brothers Inc.

The retail apocalypse, combined with a historic low in birth rates (2018), forced Destination Maternity to file for bankruptcy in 2019, leaving only a handful of its 458 stores open. Remaining clothing chains that continue to trim locations include Forever 21, Gap, Chico’s, Victoria’s Secret, Christopher & Banks, Francesca’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and J. Crew.

8 Shoe Stores

Footwear‑focused brick‑and‑mortar shops are feeling the same squeeze as apparel retailers, battling online powerhouses like Zappos, Shoe.com, and Amazon.

Take Kinney Shoes, which opened its doors in 1894 and once boasted 467 locations. All of them vanished by 1998. In the 1960s, Thom McAn ran more than 1,400 stores before closing the chain in 1996; the name persists only through other retailers. In February 2019, Payless ShoeSource filed for bankruptcy and liquidated its entire 2,500‑store footprint, marking one of the largest retail closures in history.

7 Toy Stores

Imagine kids peering into a bright, colorful downtown toy shop. That nostalgic scene is fading fast as gaming and electronic entertainment dominate the younger generation’s preferences.

The iconic FAO Schwarz, once a Fifth Avenue landmark, closed its original location in 2015 but reopened three years later in a new Manhattan spot. Other toy retailers weren’t as lucky.

Imaginarium, an educational toy chain from the 1980s, began shuttering in the 1990s and was fully closed by its parent Toys R Us in 2003. Zany Brainy filed for bankruptcy in 2001. K·B Toys eliminated all 1,300 of its stores in 2009. The titan Toys R Us, the quintessential toy store, closed its doors in 2018.

6 Electronics and Computers

Even the tech‑savvy shoppers who love gadgets haven’t spared the brick‑and‑mortar outlets that sell them. Media Play, a big‑box spin‑off of Sam Goody, closed permanently in 2006. Tweeter, launched in 1972, shuttered all stores in 2008. Circuit City closed 567 locations in 2009, and CompUSA, founded in 1984, lost its final store by 2012.

Sharper Image now sells exclusively online, catalog, and through third‑party retailers, having abandoned its physical stores. Video‑game retail giant GameStop, with more than 5,700 locations across 14 countries, has seen steep sales declines, prompting the closure of nearly 200 stores in 2019. CFO James Bell warned of a “much larger tranche of closures” over the next 12‑24 months.

5 Music and Video Stores

Before streaming took over, music lovers and movie fans roamed aisles of physical stores. Younger generations now rarely experience that analog era.

Tower Records, a 1990s heavyweight, closed all U.S. stores in 2006. The original Sam Goody, opened in the 1940s, either vanished or morphed into FYE by 2010. Hastings Entertainment shuttered its 123 stores in 2017, and Virgin Megastores, the CD‑store king, closed all U.S. locations that same year.

Blockbuster, once the video‑rental behemoth with over 9,000 stores, filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Today, only a single Blockbuster remains in Bend, Oregon.

4 Furniture and Home Goods

Even with HGTV’s influence boosting home improvement interest, furniture and home‑goods retailers haven’t escaped the apocalypse.

Levitz Furniture, founded in 1910, closed all stores in 2008. Linens ’n Things, which boasted over 500 locations in 2006, vanished by 2008, persisting only online.

In October 2019, Hamilton Beach Brands announced the shutdown of all 160 Kitchen Collection stores, which sold small appliances and cooking tools. Craft‑store chain A.C. Moore closed all 145 of its locations, with parent Nicole Crafts converting roughly 40 sites into Michaels stores.

Bed, Bath & Beyond trimmed 60 stores in 2019, Pier 1 Imports announced the closure of 57 stores in 2020, and Z Gallerie planned to close 17 of its 76 stores as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring.

3 Book Stores

Chain bookstores have dented the market for independent shops, while e‑readers and audio apps have added pressure. Yet e‑book sales have leveled off, and physical books remain popular—just purchased online rather than in‑store.

In 1987, Barnes & Noble acquired B. Dalton Books, closing that outlet in January 2010. Though still the largest chain, Barnes & Noble has closed roughly 10 % of its stores since 2011.

Waldenbooks, founded in 1933, merged with Borders in 1994; both brands liquidated in 2011, erasing all locations. Family Christian Stores, with 240 outlets selling books and religious items, closed in 2017, while LifeWay Christian Stores shut down 170 stores across 30 states.

Book World, a 45‑store chain launched in 1976, announced liquidation in December 2017. Owner Bill Steur told the New York Times that mall sales were down 30‑60 %, stating, “The internet is killing retail. Bookstores are just the first to go.” Amazon now eclipses Book World as the fourth‑largest bookstore chain.

2 Sporting Goods

Even in the world of sports, competition is fierce, and many legacy retailers have been swept away.

Oshman’s Sporting Goods, founded in 1933, was acquired by Gart Sports in 2001 and rebranded as Sports Authority. The latter, with over 200 U.S. locations, filed for bankruptcy in 2016, closing all stores and selling its e‑commerce site to Dick’s Sporting Goods, which also acquired Galyan’s Trading Post (2004), Joe’s (2009), and Golfsmith (2016).

Sport Chalet, opened in 1959, abruptly closed all stores in 2016. MC Sports shuttered in 2017. In 2019, Advanced Sports Enterprises filed for bankruptcy, announcing the closure of 102 Performance Bicycle locations. JackRabbit purchased Olympia Sports and announced plans to close all 76 of its stores.

Modell’s Sporting Goods, the oldest chain founded in 1889, announced in March 2020 that it would close all 115 stores.

1 Discount Chains

Saving money never goes out of style, yet the methods shoppers use to snag bargains have evolved dramatically.

Ames Department Store, once boasting more than 700 locations, struggled with debt and dwindling sales before closing all stores in 2002. Dollar Tree converted 200 Family Dollar stores into its own brand and shuttered nearly 400 other Family Dollar sites.

In 2019, Fred’s discount chain closed 159 stores in May, 104 in June, and 49 in July, ultimately shutting down all 520 locations by year‑end.

Shopko, founded in 1962 and known for “quality service and low prices,” could not compete with Amazon’s convenience, leading to the closure of all 371 stores in 2019.

Why These Are the Top 10 Victims

Each of the retailers listed above illustrates how the convergence of digital disruption, changing consumer preferences, and economic shocks—most notably the COVID‑19 pandemic—have reshaped the retail landscape. Their stories serve as cautionary tales for any business navigating today’s fast‑paced market.

When most people think of weather they picture gentle rain or a sunny day, yet Earth occasionally unleashes spectacles that feel ripped straight from the final chapters of the Bible. Below are the 10 terrifying storms that have left witnesses staring at the heavens in utter disbelief.

10 Terrifying Storms That Defy Nature

10 Pillars Of Flame

During the 2018 California wildfires, residents fleeing Redding reported a scene that could have been lifted from Exodus. A massive column of fire, soaring roughly 5,500 meters into the sky, descended upon the town and razed everything in its wake.

What looks like divine wrath is actually a natural phenomenon known as a fire tornado or fire whirl. When scorching, dry air rises and begins to spin, it can entrain burning embers and debris, forming a vortex of flame that behaves much like a tornado.

These whirls are usually short‑lived and modest in size, but on occasion they can grow tall enough to breach cloud cover and persist for hours, traveling at tornado‑like speeds and spewing flames that can reach temperatures of up to 1,093 °C.

9 Hail Mingled With Fire

The first trumpet of the apocalypse is said to hurl a mixture of fire and hail to scorch the earth. A strikingly similar event unfolded in Canberra, Australia, in 2003 when an out‑of‑control bushfire spilled into suburban areas.

The sky turned into a nightmarish tableau: a fire pillar 10,000 meters high and 300 meters wide roared over the city, while blackened hailstones fell alongside the flames, creating a scene reminiscent of biblical prophecy.

Scientists explain the black coloration of the hail as ash and soot that became incorporated into the water droplets within the smoke plume. In Australia’s dry climate, such fire‑hail combos have recurred, serving as a grim reminder that nature can deliver apocalyptic‑type warnings.

8 Trumpets Sounding In The Sky

On August 11, 2011, a Ukrainian woman uploaded a YouTube clip capturing a deep, metallic groan that seemed to emanate from the heavens—like trumpets blaring from the sky.

Since that first upload, countless similar recordings have surfaced from every corner of the globe. While some are hoaxes, many are genuine, with entire towns reporting repeated, inexplicable booming sounds that no one can fully explain.

Theories range from tsunamis and meteor impacts to low‑frequency seismic activity that causes the Earth’s crust to vibrate. Whatever the source, hearing a sky‑borne “trumpet” is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, and for those experiencing it daily, it feels like living in a perpetual nightmare.

7 Blood Rain

In July 2018, the Siberian city of Norilsk was bathed in a scarlet downpour. The rain stained streets, vehicles, and clothing a vivid red, creating a scene that looked like a horror‑film set.

Despite its dramatic appearance, blood rain is one of the most common apocalyptic‑style phenomena. Red‑tinged storms have been recorded since ancient Greece, typically caused when desert sand—often rich in iron oxide—mixes with rain clouds, giving the precipitation a deep crimson hue.

In the United Kingdom, similar events occur several times each year, usually appearing brownish‑yellow. The Norilsk incident was traced to rust residue from a local factory, proving that while the rain looked like blood, it was chemically ordinary.

6 Plagues Of Frogs And Flesh

On August 4, 1921, Calgary residents found themselves caught in an unexpected deluge of frogs, a modern echo of the Biblical plague of amphibians.

While it sounds like folklore, frog rains have been documented worldwide—in Japan, Hungary, Uruguay, and elsewhere. Researchers believe that tornadoes passing over bodies of water can loft amphibians and other aquatic creatures, then hurl them far inland, depositing them like rain.

Similar events have showered towns with fish, jellyfish, octopuses, and even lizards. The phenomenon, though rare, demonstrates how atmospheric dynamics can turn ordinary wildlife into an unsettling precipitation.

5 Rivers Of Blood

Just as the plagues of frogs have resurfaced, rivers occasionally turn a vivid shade of red, reminiscent of the Egyptian Nile’s biblical transformation.

In December 2018, residents of Dedza, Malawi, panicked when the Linthipe River ran a shocking crimson. While locals initially believed the water was literally blood, geologists identified rust‑laden runoff from a nearby oxide mine as the culprit.

Red rivers are not unique to Malawi. Siberia’s Daldykan River has turned red on five separate occasions due to metallurgical plant emissions, and China’s massive Yangtze River displayed a similar hue in June 2018. The only documented case of actual blood in a river occurred in September 2017, when a blocked sewage pipe at a slaughterhouse in Jianxi released pig blood into the Lianxi River.

4 A Star Called Wormwood

The 2007 Carancas impact event in Peru fits the apocalyptic description of a “star called Wormwood” falling from heaven and poisoning water sources.

A meteor struck near Desaguadero, creating a 30‑meter‑wide, six‑meter‑deep crater that shattered windows at a nearby health center. Groundwater surged into the crater, turning the pool into a boiling, toxic brew that emitted gases causing severe nausea and vomiting among those who approached.

Scientists attribute the illness to methane‑rich groundwater that the meteor’s force exposed, proving that while the event felt otherworldly, it had a clear geological explanation.

3 Literal S—— Showers

In 2018, Canadians experienced a truly bizarre meteorological event: solid waste literally rained from the sky, prompting the tongue‑in‑cheek label “Literal S—— Showers.”

A family driving home had fecal matter slam through their open sunroof, covering both occupants’ faces. The mother reported her son vomiting, and both later developed pink‑eye infections.

Eighteen separate incidents of falling feces were recorded across Canada that year. While Transport Canada ruled out aircraft as the source, scientists have floated theories ranging from large bird colonies to unusual atmospheric transport of organic debris. Regardless of cause, the episode reminds us that sometimes nature literally poops on you.

2 Blood‑Splattered Snow

In May 1818, Arctic explorer Capt. John Ross and his crew discovered Greenland’s cliffs streaked with a deep, wine‑red hue, later dubbed “watermelon snow.”

The phenomenon is caused by an algae called Chlamydomonas nivalis, which blooms on snow during warm periods, turning it pink or red. This algal growth not only creates an eerie, blood‑like landscape but also accelerates melting, leaving behind crimson pools.

Besides its unsettling appearance, the algae can act as a laxative if ingested, a fact noted by early explorers who, despite the danger, still tasted the vivid snow out of curiosity.

1 Days Of Darkness

On the morning of May 19, 1780, the sun rose over New England and eastern Canada, only to reverse course and plunge the region into an eerie, midday night.

Puritan communities, well‑versed in biblical prophecy that foretold the sun would be blotted out for a third of a day, interpreted the sudden blackness as a sign of the world’s end. They gathered, confessed sins, and awaited the rapture.

Modern investigations have found no solar eclipse, volcanic eruption, or other obvious cause for the darkness. The most plausible explanation points to a massive, distant forest fire whose smoke blanket was dense enough to block sunlight, a scenario later replicated in Alberta in 1950.

That 1950 event produced a noon‑darkness so complete that observers described it as “midnight at noon.” While some still speculate about supernatural causes, the evidence leans heavily toward atmospheric smoke obscuration.

Whether divine wrath or a particularly stubborn plume of ash, the 1780 darkness remains one of history’s most unsettling weather mysteries.

Most of us assume that zombies belong strictly to the horror aisles of our favorite streaming platforms, but the notion may be a lot closer to reality than we typically imagine. In fact, a blend of scientific research, military contingency planning, and ancient folklore suggests that a genuine undead crisis isn’t as far‑fetched as Hollywood would have us believe.

Top 10 Reasons Overview

Below we break down the ten most compelling arguments that make a zombie apocalypse a plausible, if unsettling, scenario. From classified documents to parasitic fungi, each point adds a layer of credibility to the fear that the walking dead could someday walk among us.

10 The CONOP 8888 Files

Back in 2014, investigative reporter Gordon Lubold stumbled upon a set of classified U.S. military documents dated April 30, 2011. These papers, known as CONOP 8888, outlined a genuine contingency plan for dealing with a zombie outbreak. The language used throughout the files—phrases like “isolating the threat” and “evil magic zombies”—read like something straight out of a sci‑fi thriller.

When the leak forced the Pentagon to comment, officials insisted the term “zombies” was merely a placeholder, chosen to keep the plan flexible for any kind of unconventional threat. They argued that using a whimsical label would allow the strategy to be adapted quickly and would help avoid diplomatic fallout in case the plan ever became public knowledge.

While the military’s explanation sounds plausible from a diplomatic standpoint, many conspiracy enthusiasts remain unconvinced, suggesting the leak itself was intentional. In truth, the truth probably sits somewhere between the two extremes. As you read on, the other items on this list will help explain why a dedicated response plan might not be such a far‑fetched idea after all.

9 The Disturbing Claims of Peter Cummings

Peter Cummings, a researcher at Boston University, argues that several existing medical conditions already exhibit zombie‑like symptoms. He posits that an outbreak of these ailments—especially if they were to mutate rapidly—could give rise to a genuine zombie scenario.

Cummings zeroes in on the shutdown of the brain’s frontal lobe. When this region is compromised, a person’s higher reasoning drops away, leaving only primal survival instincts—a state that mirrors classic zombie behavior.

History offers chilling precedents. During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, a subset of patients developed encephalitis lethargica, a condition that drove them into a deep stupor and eventually a catatonic state. Any external stimulation seemed to trigger violent, uncontrolled reactions, which Cummings describes as “going berserk.”

Adding weight to his argument, Cummings serves on the advisory board of the Zombie Research Society—a group devoted to the scientific, cultural, and historical study of the undead.

These findings suggest that a blend of viral mutation and neurological disruption could, under the right circumstances, produce a real‑world zombie phenomenon.

8 A Virus Like Rabies Could Mutate and Create Zombies!

When most people picture zombies, they imagine corpses crawling out of graves. Samita Andreansky, a virologist at the University of Miami, challenges that imagery. In 2010, she warned that while the classic “rising dead” scenario is improbable, a virus similar to rabies could feasibly mutate into a zombie‑inducing pathogen.

Andreansky’s hypothesis hinges on the fact that rabies already forces infected hosts into aggressive, hyper‑aggressive behavior and an insatiable urge to bite. A mutation that amplified these traits could create a disease that mirrors the archetypal zombie: relentless, mindless, and contagious.

If such a strain were to take hold, it could spread faster than any known epidemic, potentially wiping out large swaths of humanity. The stakes, therefore, are frighteningly high.

Andreansky also raised a provocative “what‑if” scenario: what if a rogue individual or extremist group deliberately engineered a mutated rabies‑like virus under the guise of a twisted “greater good”? The mere possibility underscores the urgency of monitoring viral evolution.

7 Many Tribes Have Ancient Traditions of Zombies

The roots of zombie lore stretch deep into African indigenous cultures, where voodoo rituals first described the undead. These practices, originally considered divine gifts from the gods, were carried across the Atlantic during the slave trade.

Once transplanted, these traditions found fertile ground in the Americas, especially in the southern United States and the Caribbean. Louisiana, with its rich Creole heritage, became a hotbed for voodoo practices that blended African, French, and Spanish influences.

In contemporary Haiti, the notion of zombies remains a vivid part of popular consciousness. Locally, the phenomenon is often referred to as “hoodoo,” a term that captures the blend of spiritual belief and folklore that persists in Haitian culture today.

6 Wade Davis Claimed to Have ‘Unlocked the Secret’ of Creating Zombies

Harvard‑trained anthropologist Wade Davis stirred controversy in the early 1980s when he claimed to have uncovered the secret formula behind real‑life zombies. His fieldwork in Haiti led him to believe that certain criminal elements were being turned into walking corpses as a severe form of social control.

Davis argued that these “zombie” punishments served as a brutal deterrent, effectively sentencing offenders to a fate worse than death. He alleged that the process involved a cocktail of natural toxins, administered by hoodoo priests who had mastered the art of inducing a death‑like state.

According to Davis, the toxins temporarily halted vital functions, allowing the “victim” to be buried and later revived—albeit in a diminished, compliant state. This combination of pharmacology and ritual created what he described as a living, obedient husk.

While many scientists dismissed his claims as sensationalist, others speculated that such discoveries could pique the interest of covert military programs. To date, however, no concrete evidence links the U.S. defense establishment to Davis’s findings.

5 ‘People Have Been Called Back From the Dead’ in Haiti

Zora Neale Hurston, a pioneering anthropologist, devoted much of her career to studying Haitian voodoo practices. Decades before Wade Davis, she reported that individuals were literally “called back from the dead” through clandestine rituals.

Hurston recounted a particularly vivid episode in which she was granted rare access to a hoodoo priest’s inner circle. The priest allowed her to observe a ritual that purportedly revived a deceased woman named Felicia Felix‑Mentor.

According to Hurston’s 1938 book, Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica, the resurrected woman emerged with a blank stare and lifeless eyes—a sight Hurston described as “dreadful.” The account sparked widespread fascination and remains a cornerstone of zombie folklore.

4 Zombies of the Animal World

Nature offers a plethora of unsettling examples of zombified creatures, prompting many to wonder whether these mechanisms could ever be harnessed against humans. Parasites that commandeer an animal’s nervous system are especially concerning, as they effectively turn the host into a puppet.

One classic case involves parasites that infiltrate a host’s food chain, manipulating the host’s behavior to increase the chances of predation. Once the host is devoured, the parasite continues its life cycle inside the predator, effectively using the predator as a new vessel.

Fungi also play a macabre role. Certain species lure insects, infect them, and gradually seize control of their motor functions. For instance, a fungus targeting carpenter ants forces the insects to climb to elevated positions, where the fungal spores can disperse more efficiently. Penn State researcher David Hughes describes this as turning ants into “a fungus in ants’ clothing.”

3 A Zombie Virus Is Why Aliens Have Not Visited Earth

Astrophysicist Stephen Kane, an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, proposes a provocative explanation for humanity’s lack of extraterrestrial visitors. In 2014, he suggested that ancient space travelers may have unintentionally carried a deadly zombie‑inducing pathogen to distant worlds.

Using a “Zombie Drake Equation,” Kane examined historical plagues and extrapolated how microorganisms could survive interstellar voyages. He argued that any life‑forms that journeyed across the cosmos could have been infected by these microbes, turning entire alien populations into zombie‑like beings.

Kane’s hypothesis implies that our solar system should be teeming with life—yet the very same microbes that ravaged ancient explorers may have rendered those civilizations inert, explaining the eerie silence we observe.

If humanity eventually ventures beyond the Moon or Mars, we may risk bringing back a dormant, zombie‑causing virus that could devastate Earth’s biosphere. The prospect, while speculative, adds a chilling layer to the debate about interplanetary contamination.

2 If It Happened, It Would Happen Fast!

One certainty stands out: should a zombie‑type pathogen emerge, it would spread with alarming speed, infecting vast portions of the global population almost simultaneously. The rapidity of modern flu pandemics offers a sobering benchmark for how quickly such a virus could travel.

Imagine a “zombie bug” infiltrating the human population unnoticed. Scientists and medical professionals would be caught entirely off‑guard, scrambling to develop countermeasures while the disease surged unchecked.

If an extremist group deliberately released a engineered strain, the resulting chaos could push humanity to the brink of extinction. The sheer velocity of transmission would leave little time for coordinated response, making recovery exceedingly unlikely.

1 Zombie Drugs and Mind Control

Some researchers argue that intelligence agencies are quietly experimenting with drugs and mind‑control techniques designed to turn ordinary citizens into compliant, zombie‑like subjects. Skeptics often dismiss these claims as wild speculation, citing a lack of concrete evidence.

Nevertheless, the notion persists: clandestine programs could be covertly administering neuro‑active compounds that dull critical thinking, suppress free will, and induce a state of unquestioning obedience.

Proving such a conspiracy is inherently difficult, as any evidence would likely be tightly guarded. Those behind the alleged program would probably label dissenting voices as “crazy,” mirroring the treatment of UFO witnesses and other fringe claimants.

About The Author: Marcus Lowth contributes to Me Time For The Mind and maintains an active presence on Facebook and Twitter, where he shares his fascination with UFOs, ancient astronaut theories, the paranormal, and a variety of pop‑culture topics.

When the world goes gray and the dead start strolling, knowing the top 10 ways to survive a zombie apocalypse can mean the difference between becoming a snack or staying human.

“The zombies are invading the world!” – a line you’ve probably heard a thousand times on TV. While the walking dead haven’t yet breached our front doors, they’ve certainly taken over our screens, turning living rooms into makeshift apocalypse theaters. If the day ever arrives when the flesh‑eating horde really does rise, you’ll want a toolbox of skills to keep you breathing instead of becoming a midnight snack.

Top 10 Ways to Survive the Undead

10 Exercise Regularly

Maintain peak physical condition so you can outrun, outmaneuver, and outfight both the undead and any hostile survivors. A strong, agile body lets you sprint away from a sudden horde, climb fences faster, and wield weapons with precision. Treat your one and only vessel with respect; regular cardio, strength training, and flexibility work will extend your survivability when every step counts.

9 Make Knives and Weapons Your Favorite Collection

Stockpile a diverse arsenal of blades, spears, and improvised pointed tools. While firearms draw attention and rely on scarce ammunition, edged weapons are silent, reusable, and perfect for close‑quarters combat. Keep a rotating supply of knives, machetes, and sturdy poles—each ready to become a lethal extension of your arm when the dead come knocking.

8 Make Target Shooting Your Hobby

Turn spare moments into practice sessions. Hone your aim with thrown knives, makeshift darts, or any projectile you can fashion. Regular drills build muscle memory, so when a zombie lunges, you’ll instinctively strike true. Challenge yourself with moving targets to simulate a stumbling corpse—confidence and accuracy become your silent guardians.

7 Raise Animals Inside Your Property

Secure a reliable source of protein without scouring abandoned supermarkets. Chickens, goats, and rabbits thrive in confined spaces, offer meat, eggs, and milk, and emit far less odor than larger livestock. A modest herd inside your safe zone means you won’t have to risk a supply run for nutrition, keeping you stronger and less exposed to wandering hordes.

6 Know How to Use Medicinal Plants

Pharmaceuticals will run out, and expiration dates are unforgiving. Learn to recognize and harvest herbs that treat coughs, fevers, and infections—think sage, yarrow, and tea leaves. Cultivating a small garden of medicinal flora ensures you have natural remedies on hand, turning a simple leaf into a life‑saving tonic when modern medicine is a memory.

5 Learn To Use Renewable Energy

Electricity from the grid will vanish, but bio‑gas, solar panels, and wind turbines can keep lights on and batteries charged. Convert waste—human, animal, or plant—into usable fuel, then store it for emergencies. Mastering renewable sources gives you power for communication, refrigeration, and heating when the world goes dark.

4 Have Deep Water Well in the Property

An endless, underground aquifer beats rain barrels every time. Dig a deep well to tap clean water year‑round, then store surplus in large drums for drought periods. Boil any water—rain‑collected or well‑sourced—before drinking to avoid contamination and keep your crew hydrated when the dead thirst for blood, not water.

3 Know How to Build a Fire

Fire is your triad of cooking, warmth, and illumination. Master friction‑based methods—dry leaves, a microscope, or a simple bow drill—so you can spark a flame without matches or gasoline. Practice lighting coal, using candle wax, and tending embers; a reliable fire means cooked meals, sterilized water, and a beacon that keeps the night’s terror at bay.

2 Stay In a Well‑Vegetated Area with Plenty of Fruit‑Bearing Trees

Plant a garden of vegetables, corn, potatoes, and fruit‑bearing trees inside your sanctuary. Home‑grown food reduces risky foraging trips, gives you fresh nutrients, and provides a sustainable diet. A lush, self‑sufficient plot also offers natural camouflage and a calming oasis amid the chaos of the undead outside.

1 Build Tall and Sturdy Walls

Fortify your perimeter with thick, high walls—concrete, brick, or reinforced timber—equipped with barbed wire, spikes, or angled steel to deter claw‑filled intruders. Install a solid steel gate, preferably two, so if one is compromised you have an escape route. Regular patrols along the wall keep you aware of breaches before the dead can breach your safe zone.

Learn more about these tactics and additional survival strategies from reputable sources such as National Geographic.

Readers – the end is nigh. Any day of the week there always seems to be some terminal apocalypse just around the corner, poised to finally bring ruin to us all – and severe distress to the gullible. This is true not only in relation to the 2012 Mayan prediction, but regularly throughout human history – going right back to pre‑Roman times. Below we explore the top 10 reasons we can’t seem to shake our fascination with the apocalypse.

Top 10 Reasons Humans Can’t Stop Fixating On The Apocalypse

10 Inflated Sense Of Self‑Importance

Much stems from our difficulty in grasping the tiny walk‑on part we all have amid the sprawling enormity of deep time. The human brain just can’t compute the vastness of it. For many, the world doesn’t only revolve around us – it stops around us too. One in seven people worldwide believe it will all end during their lifetime.

9 It Provides A Sense Of Meaning

The idea of an apocalypse pushes all the right buttons at a psychological level because the notion that ‘there’s no meaning’ feels unsettling. It represents the fundamental struggle between order and chaos. Human societies have always tried to create some framework of meaning to give history and our own personal lives some kind of significance.

8 It’s About A Basic Human Need: Power

Apocalyptic predictions are a way for people to try to control the way their (and others’) world works. The one thing we can never predict is the time and manner of our own deaths. What you get during times of particular discontent – war, famine or general bad times – is a rise in apocalyptic preaching and ideas. And at those times we seem to lap it up like there’s no tomorrow.

7 It’s A Collective Death Wish

Immanuel Velikovsky, writer on ancient catastrophes, had an unsettling theory that mankind blocks its memory of the failure of civilizations of the past, while simultaneously desiring those catastrophes – much like a collective death wish. Considering war, global warming, financial collapse and other ways we might collectively destroy ourselves – this is a little worrying. But we need to distinguish between the end of our species (far more likely) and the end of the planet (highly unlikely).

6 A Welcome Escape From Monotony

Life can seem grindingly dull sometimes. Same job, groundhog day – yawn, as the hipsters say. Wouldn’t a little injection of chaos alleviate all that crap? After all, aren’t depictions of apocalyptic events from the movies downright sexy? We’re sure we’d have Milla Jovovich or Megan Fox running around in tight leather pants saving the world. Might spice up a dull Wednesday morning, non?

5 It’s Embedded In Every Religion

…by every single religion. Those in the West are probably most aware of Christian eschatology (religious theory about the end of the world). Until recently it was taken as a given by many believers that the Second Coming and the end of the world were imminent. It’s easier to control a population that clings to a terror of some looming destruction, after all.

4 Nuclear Threats And Cold‑War Fears

Robert Oppenheimer had a bet going with other members of the Manhattan Project as to whether the first atom bomb (that they were about to set off) would start a chain reaction that would destroy the earth’s atmosphere. Thank God the other guy didn’t win. When the Cold War was going on, the most likely culprit for the apocalypse was nuclear weapons – and they certainly came close. Right now it might be a catastrophic climate change scenario that leaves the planet more or less intact, minus humanity – or too much bad rap music causing mass insanity.

3 There Are No Consequences If There’s No Tomorrow

When you’re mortgaged up to your eyeballs, hideously in debt, overworked, underpaid, totally depressed about the global financial meltdown and climate change, a little apocalyptic event might seem like a breath of fresh air. The power to erase the past is a potent force indeed. After all, you didn’t really want to have to pay off those credit cards for the rest of your life did you?

2 It Makes Us Understand Ourselves Better

Look at any half‑decent apocalyptic sci‑fi movie. It’s an excellent opportunity to examine our species as a whole. Good fiction revolves around conflict on a personal level, and there aren’t many scenarios that allow the same style of broad speculation as a good old apocalyptic event. Bring on those zombies, mutants, aliens, because when the going gets tough… you know the rest.

1 It Puts Our Brief Existence Into Perspective

It’s easy to mock those who have tried to predict an apocalypse and failed, but thinking about the ways the world might end, or the timing of that end, may be fulfilling a basic human need. End‑of‑the‑world believers, whether religious or not, have one thing going for them: the world will, one day, end. The planet can’t last forever – astronomers predict the planet only has around another 7.5 billion years until it’s engulfed by our Sun. In the meantime: if we do have only the briefest cameo as a small species of carbon‑based bipeds in a seemingly interminable epic, shouldn’t we make the most of it in these brief moments we’re on stage?

Silicon Valley centillionaires and billionaires, the new feudal lords, are apparently big time preppers. It’s understandable. They enjoy the spoils of their deal with the work machine and want to save what they can of the high life. Of course, with all that clout they could save the whole world.

But no, here’s how they plan to leave us, and their dignity, to perish. 

10. Larry Page’s desert island hideout

One of many tech titans frightened of dying is Google co-founder Larry Page. His Calico Labs is hard at work on a quixotic fight against death. In the meantime, though, he still has to weather the storm. 

His survival plan, at least in the case of a pandemic, is to hide on his island in Fiji. That’s what he did during COVID-19. Under the pretext of delivering medical supplies – and by virtue of being a billionaire – he was allowed to enter the isolated (and therefore otherwise safe) country when it was closed to everyone else, flying in on his jet from Hawaii. 

Understandably, he tried to keep it a secret by getting the state-owned media to pull their story on the visit, as well as hiding all traces on Google. But no amount of influence could silence a disgruntled sailor, who spilled the beans to the rest of the world.

9. Marvin Liao’s medieval armory

Citing the example of Ukraine, tech investor Marvin Liao says there’s always a conqueror at the gate. He also worries about a pandemic and the impending financial collapse. But he’s prepared. Apparently, he’s “amassed an arsenal of non-firearm weapons and taken archery classes” so he won’t have to rely on ammunition. 

He also insists on martial arts, knife fighting, and fitness in general. Being able to run without getting winded is vital, he says. But so is financial freedom. Like Jesse Eisenberg in Zombieland, Liao has a number of slogans that he hopes will keep him alive. “Physically Fit & Financially Lit” is one. There’s also “Don’t Be Sorry, Be Better” and, encouragingly for a centillionaire survivalist, “No (wo)Man is an Island,” 

Liao is, unlike many on this list, a believer in banding together – at least in a fight post-apocalypse. “There is power in the collective,” he notes, “and three people will almost always take out one … no matter how well trained they are.”

8. Sam Altman’s “manifest destiny”

Sam Altman, the centillionaire head of OpenAI (the company responsible for the monstrous GPT-3 chatbot), has been a proud prepper for a years. He told The New York Times back in 2016 that he was stockpiling “guns, gold, potassium iodide, antibiotics, batteries, water, gas masks from the Israeli Defense Force, and a big patch of land in Big Sur.” 

Another article – entitled “Sam Altman’s manifest destiny” – describes “his utter lack of interest in ineffective people, which unfortunately includes most of us.” It also lists some of the scenarios he’s prepared for: homicidal AI; nuclear war over resources; and the release of a synthetic virus.

Societal collapse is another one. When that happens he’ll flee to New Zealand with his friend Peter Thiel.

7. Peter Thiel’s New Zealand eyesore

“Yanks, get this in your heads. Aotearoa NZ is not your little last resort safe haven,” said a post on the prepper website the Modern Survivalist. It’s a growing sentiment in New Zealand. The island nation’s self-sufficiency, temperate climate, lack of enemies, and arable terrain endear it to anxious Americans. That it’s also where The Lord of the Rings was shot is a bonus for Peter Thiel, who named his companies after the trilogy. 

An investor in anti-ageing and cryogenics research, Thiel is afraid of dying – which is pretty understandable given his belief in Hell. Not only does he want to vampirize children, he supports authoritarianism and hoped Trump would become a dictator. He also bankrupted Gawker for outing him. He is, as the Guardian put it, the “human emblem of the moral vortex at the centre of the market.”

Naturally, he wants to keep going. So he lied and bribed his way into New Zealand and bought a city-sized chunk of the South Island. When the story broke in the press, locals were scandalized. Despite Thiel’s promises to invest in the country, they all knew what he was there for: to survive the collapse of Western civilization. Fortunately, his plans for a fortress – which included a spa and theater – were deemed an “eyesore” by Kiwis and rejected.

6. Bill Gates’s crawlspace hideyholes

Bill Gates is, as Ice Cube said, a “bunker bitch.” He’s among the many panicked rich Americans flocking to companies like Vivos – specialists in taking money from billionaires in exchange for apocalypse bunkers. According to Vivos founder Robert Vicino, “Gates has huge shelters under every one of his homes, in Rancho Santa Fe and Washington.”

He joins the ranks of other many narcissists – bankers, movie stars, athletes – who, according to The Hollywood Reporter, are shelling out millions for protection. They’re not just worried about World War III, though; what they really want to hide from is us. Among their chief concerns are the riots arising from economic collapse. This tells us all we need to know about their sense of civic duty – as well as their outlook for the future. The CFO of Ultimate Bunker, another elite survival firm, said “everyone [in these circles] thinks we are doomed, no matter who is elected.”

But really they’re doomed no matter how much they spend. Bunkers aren’t magic. All it would take is a hungry mob of veteran marines with high-level bunker-busting skills.

5. Mark Zuckerberg’s re-colonization of Kauai

Mark Zuckerberg’s proud of his Kauai estate but he doesn’t want you knowing how he got it. It wasn’t always 750 acres. The original lot was apparently too small for his ironic obsession with privacy, so he forced his neighbors to sell – just as he had before in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Lake Tahoe. Except this time his “neighbors” were native Hawaiians and their lots were kuleana land promised by colonists in the past. Those who resisted Zuckerberg’s land grab were sued. And, adding insult to injury, his land encompassed burial sites – forcing locals to ask permission to visit.

He said he wants to “plant roots” here, but some think that just means building a bolthole “in case society collapses.” He clearly doesn’t care about friending the locals; he’s built walls around his land and surrounds himself with henchmen.

He’s also done significantly less than nothing for the island’s many unsheltered people.

4. Larry Ellison’s super secret master plan

Larry Ellison is – according to Bob Sutton, author of The No A**hole Rule – “25 to 30 times more a**holy” than Steve Jobs. Not only has the aging software billionaire been a political megadonor, he’s also conquered an entire Hawaiian island for himself. His personal mantra, which he stole from Genghis Khan, is: “It is not sufficient that I succeed—all others must fail.”

For just $300 million of his hundred-plus billions, he bought 98% of the 90,000-acre Lanai. As for the people who lived there, in true colonial fashion he pretty much enslaved them overnight – becoming everyone’s boss, landlord (on strictly 30-day leases), or both. But that isn’t the point. Since the start of COVID-19, when he moved to the island himself, changes have been gathering pace. These include Lanai’s first “longevity spa”. 

Ellison claims to be working toward sustainability, but the locals call waha (“bullsh**”) on that. So far, he’s done nothing for the wildlife and ecology. There is, however, some indication that he wants to make the island self-sufficient. He’s got scientists tracking rainfall and plans for a desalination plant and hydroponic farm. They won’t be for the island’s rightful owners, though. Secret visits from the likes of Tom Cruise and Benjamin Netanyahu suggest Ellison’s building a refuge for the rich. We may never know. As Bloomberg notes, Ellison “hasn’t offered the public many details of his master plan.” 

3. Elon Musk’s mad dash for Mars

Elon Musk is worried about everything: climate change, artificial intelligence, population collapse, WWIII… So it should come as no surprise that, of all the (rational) doomsday contingency plans on this list, his is the most ambitious: Migrating into space via Mars.

To be fair to the billionaire, he’s not just trying to save himself – he’s trying to save the species. In fact, he plans to land one million humans on the Red Planet, 100 per ship, within decades. He even plans to bring the cost down, from $10 billion to $200,000 a ticket. And while this is still too much for most to afford, he denies it’s an “escape hatch for rich people.” There’s a “good chance you’ll die” on a mission to Mars, he says, but “excitement for those who … survive.”

Among other things, he envisions “pizza joints,” “great bars,” and, with 38% the gravity of Earth, the illusion of super strength. “Mars is gonna be a great place to go,” he says, “the planet of opportunity.” Veteran astronauts disagree. Stanley Love, who’s spent over 300 hours in space and lived on a base in Antarctica, insists that life on Mars would be “horrible.” Everything would have to be rationed. People would get claustrophobic. And the low Martian gravity would also decrease their muscle mass and bone density, making colonists weaker and more prone to fractures. Even if they did find their way back to Earth, they wouldn’t return to their lives.

2. Jeff Bezos’s outer space pipe dream

Like many billionaires, especially in tech, Jeff Bezos is big into life extension. One of his major investments since stepping down as Amazon’s CEO in 2021 was Altos Labs – a(nother) longevity research lab. He seems to be obsessed with time running out, having also dumped millions on a “10,000-year clock” inside a mountain (which some suspect is a doomsday clock).

But, like Elon Musk, he hopes to save the planet – not just himself. Expecting humans to drain every last viable energy source on Earth within the next couple of centuries, Bezos intends to shoot us into space. In a mad speech based on the ideas of physicist Gerard K. O’Neill, he envisioned settlements aboard cylinders spinning through the solar system. Each colony (of the millions he dreams of) would be built by robots with materials from the Moon and shot into space by a catapult. They’d be miles on end to house a million people each and have alternating stripes of land and window – as well as mirrors and solar panels for energy. Different colonies could have their own themes and functions, he said, such as replicas of ancient cities, wilderness areas, zero G recreational colonies, and so on.

Fortunately, the obstacles are many (technology, cost, social organization, etc.); because the ultimate problem is Bezos himself. His own contributions to climate change and individualist consumerism aside, his treatment of workers as Amazon’s CEO suggests he doesn’t really care about people. In fact, there’s good reason to think his “colonies” will be no more than glorified prisons – or “captive labor towns in space” as NBC put it. 

1. Dmitry Itskov’s escape into the Matrix

Dmitry Itskov, “the “godfather” of the Russian Internet,” wants to celebrate his 10,000th birthday. Needless to say, the odds are stacked against him. As his manifesto says, “civilization stands on the threshold of a series of global crises … threatening the environment where human beings live, and their existence as a species.” His solution, however, is not as you might expect to follow Musk and Bezos into space; it’s to jettison his body instead.

By 2045, he hopes to transition to a holographic nanobot avatar – or at least to a life in the metaverse. This will of course be a gradual process. For example, he thinks we’ll see the first generation of basic robot avatars deployed in dangerous environments (for example by the emergency services, miners, etc.). Then they’ll be used as replacement bodies for the physically disabled (paraplegics, the terminally ill, etc.). According to Itskov’s schedule, we should be at this stage by 2025. Next would be the transfer of individual consciousness to these bodies. In other words, by 2035 if we get back on schedule, everyone would have “the possibility of cybernetic immortality.” In the decade after that we’ll effectively become a new species, with “bodies consisting of nanorobots … and capable of taking any form.”

Clearly Itskov’s a bit behind schedule, so the emphasis now is on the metaverse – or eternal life in the Matrix.