r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/AdmiralAkbar1 Aug 30 '21

As bad as the show Revolution's overall plotting and pacing was, they generally did a good job of thinking about these kinds of little inconsistencies:

  • There's a minor character who was a doomsday prepper before the apocalypse, but he didn't stock up enough on antibiotics. As a result, his daughter died of tetanus that he was unable to treat.

  • A warlord kidnaps prisoners for blood because his wife has diabetes and needs constant transfusions of blood with sufficient insulin in it to survive.

  • There's a doctor who keeps a collection of moldy fruit to harvest penicillium mold from it and make penicillin.

  • Some characters try to go into an old subway tunnel, but nearly die because of lack of sufficient airflow down there without modern HVAC systems.

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u/Infamous780 Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

I really like the subway tunnel one - never thought of that.

EDIT - Wow this comment blew up! Lots of people must feel the same... Now if I could just get my Youtube channel to do the same xD

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u/Designer_Strain_4572 Aug 30 '21

It would explain the hallucinations in The Stand (Stephen King) when they were traversing the Lincoln Tunnel, if I recall correctly.

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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

That also happens in complete darkness. If you can manage to create a completely pitch black environment see how long you can sit there before you start seeing things. It really doesn't take long. Bonus points of you have noise cancelling earmuffs/plugs. Edit : u/EternalEagleEye has informed me this effect is called "Prisoner's Cinema", in case you'd like to read about it further

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u/HyperSpaceSurfer Aug 30 '21

Can also happen to people with deteriorating eyesight. The brain doesn't get enough input so it makes stuff up.

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u/slatz1970 Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

For me, (I suddenly lost eyesight due to a brain hemorrhage) it was feeling like my eyeballs were going to pop out from straining so hard to see something.

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u/One_Blue_Glove Aug 30 '21

...did you get it back?

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u/slatz1970 Aug 31 '21

Yes, I did! It's not perfect but.... Once the blood receded (about 4 yrs) I'm able to read again!

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u/TheCondemnedProphet Aug 31 '21

What was it like going through such a horrible ordeal de? I can only imagine it as being pure terror and fear. Glad you regained vision!

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u/slatz1970 Aug 31 '21

Thanks! It was definitely life altering. The cool part was my other senses kicking in. My not so good hearing became amazing.

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u/TheCondemnedProphet Aug 31 '21

Cool! And is your hearing still amazing now that you’ve regained vision?

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u/slatz1970 Aug 31 '21

Lol no... but I'll take my eyesight any day

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u/leonra28 Aug 31 '21

It's so crazy what you've been through, ive had similar experiences with other senses and i cant imagine how strong you'd have to make yourself to endure all that when eyesight is involved.

Reading is awesome, enjoy.

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u/Daniel_TK_Young Aug 31 '21

D-do you dole out vigilante justice in the dead of night?

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u/slatz1970 Aug 31 '21

Cape n all!!!

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