Doomsday 101: Words from the Writer of the Vault 12

THE END IS NIGH?

The shortest and simplest definition of insanity is, "doing the same repeatedly and expecting a different result." We as humans live in such a time. Population increases, and excessive shortages of natural resources as simple as water and food are going to be a huge factor in the short years to come. There are many "Doomsday Prophecies," that people believe. The 2012 Mayan Calender coming to fruition, and the end of the Earth as we know it is a very popular belief. Personally, there are too many possible causes of human extinction to point at one and say "that is it."

Simply, humankind in its history has never had so many different means at its disposal to bring about the end of its own existence. From created or non created viruses, to global warming and even the threat of nuclear annihilation are just a few possibilities. But these are the most obvious. I am not here to propagate these beliefs and instill fear in our viewers. It's my job to see that humans can survive whatever catastrophe may befall them. Never in the course of human events has anyone attempted to do something like this. The goal is simple, find out how we will survive should the worse come to pass and can we survive if forced underground for extended periods of time?

As you will learn from the show, it is our goal to provide this answer and find out what life would be living underground, without sunlight, short on resources, and confined to a small space for extended periods of time. We understand that this will be no easy task, and much harder placing 12 or more strangers into this situation, but this is reality at its best. No camera crews following someone around for hundreds of hours a week only to get 3 minutes of usable footage, this is complete and total isolation within the group and they are on their own. This group will endure many hardships along the way.

I am the director for this show and the writer, but even I cannot predict what may occur in the confined space of "The Vault." Whatever happens we are simply third party observers watching with the rest of the world and I personally hope that the true spirit of survival of the humankind will prevail. But I am also cognitive of the fact that this show could go horribly wrong, and basic human rational breakdowns over extended periods of time may occur.

Our goal is to bring to you the viewer a glimpse of things to come, and what you may expect should you find yourself in the fortunate or unfortunate position of surviving what the future has in store for humankind.

One thing I do believe, even with so many advancements in science and medicine, life on this planet isn't getting any easier. You may call me paranoid or call me a fatalist, but whatever the heavens or hell may inflict on us I plan on surviving.