If a dozen of the World's most powerful governments knew.....?

Question

that there was an enormous asteroid on a direct collision course with earth and that it was going to hit us in 1 year, killing 99% of all life and wiping out the Human race (and there was absolutely nothing we could do about it so forget about sending a space shuttle to 'land' on it and blow it up)
1. Do you think we would be told?
2. What would the world be like for the remaining year if we were told?

Answer 1

I seriously doubt we would actually be told openly that we are going to be annhilated in a year's time, but information is bound to leak. I expect the world to be a disaster zone free-for-all, with everything plunged into chaos and no one able to cooperate.

Answer 2

What a great question.

I don't think it would be possible to keep that a secret, so whether or not the governments wanted it to come out, it would.

I think the world would fall into 2 categories - Religious and non-religious. The religious ones would try to convert all the non-religous people, and the non-religious people would try to have as much fun as possible. There would probably be anarchy - why worry about going to jail if the world is going to end soon anyway...

Wow it would be pretty ugly.

Answer 3

That would make a great movie. I think we should be told, it's the only ethical way to deal with that issue. I also think we would require a religious revolution to make everyone peaceful, loving and supportive so that we have a good last 365 days on earth.

great question.

Answer 4

They would try to keep it a secret, but it would get out. I'd try and find a decent woman (at least many wouldn't look at a man just on the basis of his wealth) and do some travelling. oh it's a tough one, but I'd certainly make a good few changes to my life.

Answer 5

I don't think they would tell us, as someone else said, in effect, it would cause panic. On top of it, I can see all those fundamentalist bible types preaching all over the place. That would be worse than the panic to me. I would not want to hear the blathering.
--That Cheeky Lad

Answer 6

Those governments would probably start a nuclear annihilation process. That way, society wouldn't have time to fall apart in the face of extinction.

Answer 7

Its very unlikely that a huge number of people can keep a secret.

Answer 8

They'd be right not to tell us, the panic caused by this information could be devastating.*

Answer 9

That could not be kept secret for long.... and then there would be total anarchy

Answer 10

Chaos, and prices will go up.