There are many theories posted on these boards about nuclear weapons, and the 'Mad Man' theory. But will this really be the end of the world.

Will humanity end with the push of a button and the launch of nuclear missles?

Will we push the limits of science and find better, quicker, more efficient ways of destroying ourselves?

Or am I just being a pessimist. I think that the collective minds on this site can get a pretty diverse response, so here is the question;

How will the world end? (And please note that is is a serious question)

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

--Robert Frost


Gazing into eternity...
Ere the foundations of the earth were laid,

Thou wert. And when the subterranean flame
Shall burst its prison and devour the frame,
Thou shalt be still as Thou wert before
And know no change, when time shall be no more.

Rig Veda (Colebrooke)

I think the possibility of nuclear holocaust are at an all time lowest. Not even during the cold war do I think there was a high chance of these weapons being used. The cost is simply too high. Why is war waged? To take possession of land, and to increase the amount of power against ones enemies. War is not simply about exterminating the other part. There has to be a gain in the end.

If you look at the world right now, there aren't any great tensions between the great powers on earth. The US and Europe are, although not without some conflicts, cooperating and to be considered allies. Russia, while still pursuing own interests, are still coming closer to the west.

The two other major nations on earth, India and China, (Both have nuclear weapons) are not being aggressive either. India is the world largest democrasy, although they do have some skirmishes with their pakistanian neighbour, who also happend to be a nuclear power. This might be the biggest treat at the moment for nuclear warfare, but if it got that far, I still don't think it would include the rest of the world.

Regarding China, yes they are communist, but if you look at the development of their society, I think it will just be a matter of time, before they evolve into a more democratic society. Offcourse, this process takes time, but so have the development of our own societies. As for chineese aggression, they seem to have their own domestic problem to focus on at the moment.

I think in the future nuclear weapons will be rendered obsolete as a WMD. Evolution of warfare will render them useless. Use of tactical nukes might still be a weapon on the battlefield though. This is not saying that there is never going to be another war. Knowing human nature, it'll just be a question of time before another great war strikes mankind. But wars will still be fought with convential weapons when that time comes.

I think we're close to the brink again. If Bush goes into Syria...

But do you really think that Bush would go into Syria. I mean, he has already used the weapons of mass destruction excuse.

I think that even Bush isn't stupid enough to try that again.