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by cpv 2291 days ago
Imagine if one day we find that a comet is headed directly to us. That would test and push humanity at its extremes.
2 comments

How certain would the experts have to be to get such coordinated action?

With close approaches, it seems (as a layman) that there are always pretty large ranges of just how close they will be. I dont think you'd know "a comet is headed directly at us" until way too late. Instead you'd get some warning that there is a 10% chance or something. Over time that would go up to a near certainty. Maybe I'm pessimistic, but I would predict something more similar to climate change with deniers and paralysis.

This remark reminds me of the book, "Seveneves" by Neal Stephenson. He plays with a similar 'what if?' doomsday scenario. Around 80% of the book revolves around testing and pushing humanity at it's extremes.