The site OperationImmortality.com, despite being like any normal site, almost reads like the script from a sci-fi flick. “Global Warming, bio-terrorism, errant asteroids, and genetic science gone awry could wipe humanity from the face of the Earth… [This] is a real once-in-a-lifetime event that will save a history of humanity’s greatest achievements, digitised from human DNA and personal messages from people all around the world…”
Still find it hard to stomach that voting The Simpsons as second best TV show of all time will be the basis for humanity’s second coming? Well, it’s recently been announced that Scott Johnson, an acclaimed gymnast who led the US Men’s Olympic gymnastics team to victory in 1984 and then in ‘88 before retiring, will add his DNA to the “Immortality Drive” to be placed on the International Space Station on October 12th 2008.
“Participating in Operation Immortality is an incredible privilege,” says Johnson. “Knowing that my DNA will be immortalized for all time and that I have been chosen as one of mankind’s most ‘accomplished athletes’ is truly an honor.”
The “Immortality Drive” won’t just contain genetic information from accomplished figures in academics and sports. You can also “leave your mark” and compose a message for the universe, along with your opinion of what mankind’s faults and achievements. Interestingly, Richard Garriott, creator of the Ultima games, will be the one to carry the Drive to the ISS this October and is spear-heading the effort for Operation Immortality along with NCSoft and Destination Games. That pretty much explains why Tabula Rasa game data from players across the world, enough to fill the municipality of Kristiansand (and still not matter), is also being included on the Drive.
As the site states, “If the ultimate disaster strikes, this is our best, last hope against extinction.” Until, well, Blizzard (World of Warcraft) creates the Elixir of Life or Cryptic Studios (City of Heroes) can mass produce the Super Soldier serum or whatever it is that creates all those super heroes. Despite nagging criticisms about technical problems at the ISS as of January 30th 2008, past memory leak problems of Tabula Rasa and other controversies, we salute Lord British’s escapade into space and hope the next humanity loves video games as much as we do. Hell, at least we know whose genetic data will likely be “misplaced” first, if not jettisoned during lift-off.
Source: Gaming Nexus
Leave a Reply