Would you rather...

See how or what created civilization

See how or what ends civilization

You have no impact and cannot play a role. This is just an observation. Who knows if anyone will believe you.

Beginning or End

Oct 2, 2009

VintageLife

Community arguments

See how or what created civilization

Witnessing how civilization began would resolve fundamental debates about human origins, cooperation, and shared purpose
Seeing early humans cooperate, build, and solve problems together is uplifting rather than devastating to witness
Knowing how civilization ends would create constant dread and anxiety as you wait for an inevitable catastrophe

See how or what ends civilization

The origins of civilization are reasonably well-documented through archaeology — it is not the genuine mystery the question implies
Knowing how civilization ends could give humanity the awareness needed to recognize warning signs and potentially prevent it
The end of civilization remains the true open question, making it the more valuable and irreplaceable knowledge to possess

Last generated Jun 29, 2026.

Comments

Would you rather...

See how or what created civilization

See how or what ends civilization

live in a world with no spiders, but all other bugs at their current population

live in a world with only spiders but with a 50% increase to their current population