Imagine that some kind of all-powerful entity, let’s call it Destroyer of the Worlds™ (DOW), sends you (that’s right, you) a message: “Tell me in 50 words or less why I shouldn’t destroy the Earth.”

Before DOW is upon us, think of an answer and send it to us. We will post the three most persuasive answers on our Website and in the Winter 2011 print edition. While you are awaiting the reward humanity will certainly bestow upon you, we will pay the author of the best entry $10 and a copy of the magazine.

We understand that some would rather give a reason or two why DOW should destroy the Earth, but we could find such reasons ourselves and therefore are not interested in any additional ones.

We will reply only to accepted entries.

Submit as many as you want, but every submission has to be done separetely via our submission manager.


Selection 1

We’ve Got This

DOW, why waste your weapons? We’ve got pollution, war, heroin, genocide, clearcutting, gang violence, nuclear radiation, HIV, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, cancer, drunk driving, undrinkable water, suicide, bombing, and suicide bombing. And that’s just naming a few.

Relax, refuel, ask Mars for fifty words, and once you’re done, we’ll already be dust.

Walter Campbell