Comments on: This IS the Worst-Case Scenario

By: Hunchback

Hunchback — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:30:54 +0000

This is Doomsday.
http://www.helium.com/items/1882339-doomsday-how-bp-gulf-disaster-may-have-triggered-a-world-killing-event

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 02:18:42 +0000

I’m really glad that the XKCD cartoon preceded this: http://www.helium.com/items/1882339-doomsday-how-bp-gulf-disaster-may-have-triggered-a-world-killing-event

Because it perfectly sums up my reaction to the article…

By: Nullius in Verba

Nullius in Verba — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:25:55 +0000

“I too don’t understand why we are not consulting others who might have dealt with oil spills before.”

A nuclear bomb wouldn’t work, because the geology is different under the Gulf to the Russian cases. The method only works in specific circumstances, which American oil engineers understand well, and which don’t apply here.

Why would you assume that they are not consulting others? Or for that matter, that they don’t themselves employ many of the best and most knowledgeable experts on the subject? The Americans have also “dealt with oil spills before” – you should look up the history of the Ixtoc I blow out, as just one example.

http://www.gomr.mms.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/3/3930.pdf

By: Sorbet

Sorbet — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:26:56 +0000

I agree. While a nuclear bomb is not the best option, it is still better than allowing a runaway oil spill to swamp every inch of the east coast. I too don’t understand why we are not consulting others who might have dealt with oil spills before.

By: grung0r

grung0r — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:43:57 +0000

This month and half old XKCD cartoon sure is spot on.

By: Ian Tindale

Ian Tindale — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:36:19 +0000

Fools! Why aren’t people panicking about the possibility of horizontal gene transfer from the dinosaurs that the oil is made out of causing horrendous mutations in genetically modified crops on a scale unprecedented and unsurpassed by the original primordial stew. The very air we breathe will eat us alive, it’s tiny little wavy arms out the front. It’ll be Cretaceous Park all over again.

By: John Moore

John Moore — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:07:18 +0000

The Russians have already use nuclear bombs to stop spills. While not the most popular solution it is an alternative. The bigger question is why we are not consulting/using the resources of countries who have dealt with situations like this before is beyond me.

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:44:35 +0000

And then aliens will invade.

By: Nemesis

Nemesis — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:34:23 +0000

I think flammable clouds are scary.

By: Jumblepudding

Jumblepudding — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:17:21 +0000

Add a nuclear bomb into the mix for a rain of radioactive tar balls over the entire south