Nuclear shelter debate

MaggieBlack · Senior member **Joined:** 20 Jan 2005 **Posts:** 9960

We were given this in English class to do as part of an oral discussion I was wondering who everyone would pick.

The task is to choose six people from the list below to occupy a nuclear shelter after the holocaust. In making the decision the following things need to be considered:

Stability and harmony within the close confines of the shelter.

The skills and knowledge needed to set up a new society outside the shelter.

The continuation of the human race.

These are the twelve people you have to choose from remember you can only pick 6.

Rani Patel
An 18-year-old schoolgirl. Physically strong and healthy. Is deeply depressed at losing all the members of her family in the holocaust. Has been studying A Level mathematics, physics and Chemistry.

Angela Jackson
A 50-year-old doctor (general practitioner). Has three grown-up children. Is particularly interested in obstetrics and has supervised many births. Is a keen gardener.

Rex Massey
A 60-year-old farmer. Recently retired from running a 300-acre farm. Likes a peaceful life and is easily irritated.

Paul Kinsey
A 20-year-old. Physically strong and healthy. Suffers from Downs Syndrome which means he is very slow to learn. Very cheerful.

Darren Campbell
A 17-year-old waiter. Strong. Quick to learn. Would like to be a motor mechanic but didn't get an apprenticeship.

Joyce Gordon
A 29-year-old research chemist. Has had two abortions. Lives for her work. Is racist.

George Chan
A 50-year-old enginer. Unmarried. He has lived on his own throughout his adult life and finds ir hard to get on with others. A very quiet and self-contained individual.

Louise Evans
Six months old. Is in good health but has a deformed foot which will lead to lameness without specialist treatment.

Joan Massey
Wife of Rex. 58 years old. Has always shared the running of the farm. Physically active she is starting to suffer from arthritis in her hands.

Lisa O'Reilly
An 18-year-old on the dole. Has a one-year-old son. Took typing and commerce at school. Failed all her exams.

Elizabeth Lamb
A 30-year-old housewife and mother of three. Was a secretary before her marrige. Is a black belt at karate. Likes children and would like to have more.

Brian Heath
A 20-year-old student. In his second year at university, read English literature. Writes poetry and has had some published. Although very intelligent, is not very good at practical skills.

Which six would you pick and why? Why would you leave others out?

Guest · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject:

I would keep:
Angela - because she is a doctor. Indispensible, really, despite her age.
Darren - because he is young, strong, healthy and quick to learn.
George - because he is an engineer and his skills will be needed to rebuild.
Rani - because she is a young girl of childbearing age and has a grounding in science, which will be needed. Could learn from and assist Angela re. medicine.
Elizabeth - because she is also clearly fit (karate), is willing to have more children, and could hopefully keep things ticking over in this bunker due to the skills she would have picked up as a housewife (running a household, making people get along, keeping the peace, plus all the usual practicalities).
Brian - because you can't have civilisation without art. Also, he's young and presumably relatively healthy.

I would lose:
Rex - because of his age and the fact that the skills he has to contribute aren't as important as those of the others, who will more than likely be able to figure out how to grow their own food etc. anyway.
Paul - because it came down to a choice between him and Darren. Both are young, strong and healthy, but Darren is 'quick to learn'.
Joyce - because she may not be happy to have children and her skills as a research chemist aren't that crucial. Rani's grounding in chemistry, while obviously more basic, should suffice. I suppose Joyce's racism wouldn't go into the mix all that well either, depending on the racial background of the others chosen.
Louise - because while she could turn out to be the finest mind of all, she has no immediate contribution to make and would just be a liability.
Joan - because of her age, the limited skills she has to contribute and her arthritis (which would prevent her from employing her skills to full use given the physical nature of farm work).
Lisa - because it came down to a choice between her and Rani, both of whom are young, healthy females, but Rani's got the smarts.

Guest · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject:

Keep

Rani Patel – She’s young and healthy, so she can help repopulate the planet.
Angela Jackson – Can deliver the children born to repopulate the planet.
Rex Massey – Can teach the others how to farm.
Darren Campbell – Healthy young man to impregnate the women.
Lisa O’Reilly – She’s young and can help repopulate the planet.
Brian Heath – Young man to impregnate the women.

I made repopulation the highest priority, and therefore picked 2 fertile couples. Angela would provide medical support and Rex farming support.

sgreber · Senior member **Joined:** 02 Apr 2005 **Posts:** 800

I didn't look at Caitriona's choices before I picked, but I now realize that mine are similar:

Angela -- because she's a doctor
George -- because his engineering skills would be useful
Rani, Brian, and Joyce -- chosen for youth and intelligence
Louise -- chosen because she's young, hasn't lived her life yet, and because children bring joy to those around them.

I eliminated Rex and Joan because they're older and have lived much of their lives already. Others were eliminated because I didn't think they would have as much to contribute.

Anshin · Senior member **Joined:** 10 Dec 2005 **Posts:** 1863

Given your request for people to "continue the human race" I'm going to tend to pick more young females, and a couple males with skills that are applicable after the assumed destruction of society.

Rani Patel
An 18-year-old schoolgirl. Physically strong and healthy. Is deeply depressed at losing all the members of her family in the holocaust. Has been studying A Level mathematics, physics and Chemistry.
Yes. Because she is a female of reproductive age. Her intelligence and skills are a rebuilding asset.

Angela Jackson
A 50-year-old doctor (general practitioner). Has three grown-up children. Is particularly interested in obstetrics and has supervised many births. Is a keen gardener.
Yes. Because obstetrics is needed if these 6 people are to become the new human race. Gardening is an important skill as well.

Rex Massey
A 60-year-old farmer. Recently retired from running a 300-acre farm. Likes a peaceful life and is easily irritated.
No. Too old, has a bad temper, and there are better younger candidates, and Angela Jackson knows gardening.

Paul Kinsey
A 20-year-old. Physically strong and healthy. Suffers from Downs Syndrome which means he is very slow to learn. Very cheerful.
No. Because he has a heritable genetic condition.

Darren Campbell
A 17-year-old waiter. Strong. Quick to learn. Would like to be a motor mechanic but didn't get an apprenticeship.
Yes. Because he's a young and healthy male, with useful small engine skills that will be good for recycling the remains of society.

Joyce Gordon
A 29-year-old research chemist. Has had two abortions. Lives for her work. Is racist.
No. She's antagonistic, and there are other better female candidates.

George Chan
A 50-year-old enginer. Unmarried. He has lived on his own throughout his adult life and finds ir hard to get on with others. A very quiet and self-contained individual.
No. Misanthropic, and there are better male candidates.

Louise Evans
Six months old. Is in good health but has a deformed foot which will lead to lameness without specialist treatment.
No. Because she is too young to be useful, and her lameness will not be treatable after the devastation of man kind.

Joan Massey
Wife of Rex. 58 years old. Has always shared the running of the farm. Physically active she is starting to suffer from arthritis in her hands.
No.Old and infirm, which is a burden in a post apocalyptic society.

Lisa O'Reilly
An 18-year-old on the dole. Has a one-year-old son. Took typing and commerce at school. Failed all her exams.
Yes. Young female who has proven her reproductive ability.

Elizabeth Lamb
A 30-year-old housewife and mother of three. Was a secretary before her marrige. Is a black belt at karate. Likes children and would like to have more.
Yes Another young female who has had previous children. Self defense is an important skill to know and teach when living in anarchy.

Brian Heath
A 20-year-old student. In his second year at university, read English literature. Writes poetry and has had some published. Although very intelligent, is not very good at practical skills.
Yes. Young male with proven intelligence. Literature is an important skill (lest everyone forget how to read and write!), and he'll learn those practical skills when he gets hungry!

Mom2Tyrus · Junior Member **Joined:** 03 Apr 2006 **Posts:** 81

Maybe I am looking at this entirely different?? but it didn't say they were going to get out of the shelter and after all it is a "nuclear" holocaust- a shelter might never withstand something so catastrophic.

Rani Patel- She is deeply depressed that all her family members perished and she is studying A level Math, Physics and Chemistry. Why?? Cos she is going to learn all the necessary means to attact with her new found knowledge and get revenge on others for her loss. Whippty do if she is of reproductive viabilty- would you want this person as a mother?? LOL

Angela Jackson- 50 yr old Medical Doc with grown kids. Supervised many births and likes to garden. Well I don't think there is going to be much gardening going on after a nuclear holocaust. There might not be much left of the gorund and who knows what type of radiation everyone sustained?

Rex Massey- 60 yr old retired farmer would gets irritated easily and likes the peaceful life. Well being in a shelter with anyone included is wife would be enough to send Rex over the deep end. I'd have to stay he'd be better off on the other side of the shelter in this case. LOL

Joan Massey- 58, active, ran the farm with Rex and had arthritis starting in her hands. She'd not be a very good gardener then with Angela but she would definitely have great skills in the homemaking area. Doesn't say she has children but to put up with Rex and his irritibilty she'd be a pretty strong woman and arthritis to me could be a sign of hardwork .

Paul Kinsey- 20 yrs old, strong, healthy and cheerful although suffers from Downs syndrome making him slow to learn. Some would think in a perfect world he'd not be viable but why not? Just becasue he isn't genetically correct? Doesn't mean he'd not work hard to rebuild his home and make the people around him enjoy like again.

Darren Campbell- 17 yr old waiter, strong, quick to learn, likes motors. Sounds like many people's sons. So what he didn't get an apprenticeship- the guy that didnt pick him isn't in the shelter now is he?? lol Him and Paul would work til they were blue in the face.

Joyce Gordon- 29 yr old research chemist- she could be one of the bad guys that caused the destruction . Knows alot like Rani and lives for what she knows and does. She likes having unprotected sex- how mature of a smart woman and has had 2 abortions which make her not viable to reproduce as she clearly doesn't want children of her own.

George Chan- 50 yr old engineer who finds it hard to get along with others and is very self contained. I think living in a shelter with 5 other people would be enough for him to open up and maybe he'd fancy one the remaining woman with him. I think this guy could be a huge asset and pass on what he knows to others. ie- Paul and Darren. Angela is also 50 - hint hint.

Louis Evans- a baby...just what George would need to make himself open up. Someone needs to let this child thrive.

Lisa O'Reilly- 18 yr old with a son that is not likely with her now. Typing and commerce in school but failed- could be due to the fact that she had a child at a young age not that she wasn't smart. This girl would be the ideal candidate to rasie little Louise if she doesn't have her own child with her.

Elizabeth Lamb- 30 yrs old homemaker with kids. wants to have more nd is a black belt. I dont know how much karate she'll need to know to survive in a shelter but she might need it for meditation after not having her 3 kids with her now. He is of reproduction age but might be a longwhile having sex with a male of the shelter as she is without her hubby and family. I can see her extremely depressed and keep to herself.

Brian Heath- 20 yr old intelligent lit major. His practical skills suck but he can write a mean sonnet. LOL He's a young man, hopefully in good mental and physical health to keep things running smooth there.

I think after elaborating on each character I can clearly see to myself who would work out best for hunanities sake.
1.Angela
2.Louise
3.George
4.Lisa
5.Paul
6.Darren

Although no one is ultimately correct.

Have fun with his one. Made me think today!! Very Happy

Guest · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Nuclear shelter debate

Angela Jackson- She is a doctor and could help out with gardening.
Brian Heath- He could write about life at the time and keep records.
Elizabeth Lamb- She could teach defence skills with karate and have more children.
Rex Massey- He could teach the others how to farm.
Darren Campbell- He is young and strong. He is a fast learner, so he will be able to learn many trades.
Rani Patel- She is also young. She is studying math, chemistry, and physics.

Lori · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject:

I think that some of the characteristics listed will end up having no meaning in this new society.

As an example, Joyce lives to work and is a racist. Well, obviously life as a research chemist is over or at least changed so drastically that it would in no way resemble her working career again. So what does a work-a-holic become that doesn't have an office to go to anymore? Who is there for her to be a racist against, the five other people that could mean life and death to her?

Brian writes poetry and has no practical skills but I'd be willing to bet that all that would change in the 1st couple of days in a post-holocaust world.

I guess what I'm saying is that personality traits would have no bearing on any decision I'd make. I'd pick these ones:

George - Need the engineer for rebuilding. Can be a father to new children.
Elizabeth - Young enough to have several more children and has been through the childbirth experience.
Rani - Young, healthy, strong female with a brain.
Lisa - Being unemployed is now irrelevant and childbearing is important.
Darren - Strong, quick to learn, mechanically inclined.
Brian - Young, intelligent, art background.

kanine · Senior member **Joined:** 03 Oct 2005 **Posts:** 9262

Keepers:
Rani - healthy and intelligent
Angela - crucial. Doctor is necessary, and she would be needed to supervise repopulation. Knowledge of gardening is highly desirable
Darren - healthy male to help with repopulation, also eager to learn
Lisa - another healthy female to help with repopulation
Elizabeth - athletic, healthy female, wishes for children, plus her housewife skills could come in handy
Brian - intelligence and knowledge of art and literature is crucial. Since he's good with English and the like, while Rani is more of a science type, they would easily fit together in the educational department.

Dropped:
Rex - okay, he's a farmer, but Angela is already good with gardening. Nothing he could contribute. Plus, he's easily irritated.
Paul - sad, but no. His disability is disqualifying.
Joyce - has skills, but since she had two abortions, she may have trouble with childbirth, she's racist, which may mean she's generally difficult to get along with, finally she lives for her work, and with 6 people to recreat the world, she'd have to multi task.
Georga - too unsocial, sadly. His skills could be useful, but he's not too much of a benefit
Louise - she'd be fairly burdensome until she grows up
Joan - again, not much she could contribute

I feel like an (cornholio) after writing all this. I'm really not that discriminative in real life - I don't think children are burdensome or that the elderly can't contribute much, it's just the way this is set up.

Wigeon · Wiki Writers **Joined:** 31 Oct 2004 **Posts:** 7923

Keep

Angela Jackson – Her obstetrics and gardening skills will be valuable.

Rani Patel – Her math and physics aptitude will be valuable. She might be able to overcome her depression by caring for the baby, which would make her more productive. She also has many childbearing years ahead of her.

Louise Evans – When she hits puberty, she can reproduce with one of the children born in the shelter. We need to diversify the gene pool and since she isn’t related to anyone in the shelter, whomever reproduces with her will not be inbreeding.

Darren Campbell – He can do physical labor and his mechanical skills, whatever they consist of, might come in handy.

Brian Heath – He’s young, so he can be put to use on projects that require physical labor.

Lisa O'Reilly – She has many good childbearing years ahead.

Drop

Rex Massey - Not useful. Probably not up to heavy physical labor. His farming expertise will be outdated now that there has been a nuclear holocaust. A scientist with a knack for gardening is more valuable.

Paul Kinsey - He might not be able to fend for himself very well since he is slow to learn.

Joyce Gordon - When our main goal is repopulating the planet, a racist is a hindrance.

Elizabeth Lamb - Too old to reproduce more than a couple of children. I don't see karate as important in this situation. She would not be able to contribute much to the progress of the group.

George Chan - Rani Patel has the same long suits but she brings more to the group.