Greetings,

This was a writing prompt and thought experiment which is designed to lead into discussion which I had encountered and thought particularly interesting. While it is not mine and I have expanded on it some to further facilitate an interesting expression by including the writer themselves, the core idea is still very simple and particularly novel. Follow the directions as stated below and do not think too in-depth about the scenario presented, rather the goal and logic behind it. As an added note, please understand that the audience the prompt is aimed at are mature members in nature; take the prompt seriously and in good faith. The goal is to create a functioning society and the writer needs to explain why they think their unlikely group is the most likely to survive.

[quote=Criteria for Survival Prompt]
The world has ended and you must choose seven or less people to survive. They will form the nucleus of a new civilization. You will accompany them, for a maximum total of eight people. List those you have selected in the order which you would choose them, then indicate your rationale for selection. Specifically, why you chose these individuals and why you placed them in this order. Finally, explain yourself in a similar format as the other survivors to choose from in the prompt initially, then rate and incorporate yourself into the rankings.
[/quote]
[quote=List of Survivors][list]
[*] Dr. (Mr.) Scott: 37, white, historian (doctorate), college professor, good health (jogs daily), botanist, politically active (unspecified), married (Mrs. Scott), has one child (Billy Scott).
[*] Mrs. Scott: 38, white, Jewish, obese, diabetic, psychologist (master's degree), mental health counselor, married (Dr. Scott), and has one child (Billy Scott).
[*] Billy Scott: 10, white, Jewish, intellectual disability (IQ 70), good health, physically strong.
[*] Ms. Perez: 23, Hispanic, Catholic, general education (9th grade), cocktail waitress, prostitute, divorced, has one child (Michael Perez).
[*] Michael Perez: 3 (months), Hispanic, healthy.
[*] Mr. White: 25, African-American, homosexual, medical student, musician, good health, political active (black power activist).
[*] Mrs. Anthony: 28, African-American, Protestant (minister's daughter), electronics engineer (bachelor's degree), divorced, politically active (zero population growth).
[*] Mr. Clark: 51, white, Mormon, mechanical engineer (bachelor's degree), construction consultant, handyman, outdoorsman, has four children (unaccompanied), politically active (anti-black sympathizer).
[*] Father Mark: 37, white, Catholic, priest, farming background, good health (former college athlete), politically active (civil rights, socially liberal).
[*] Dr. (Ms.) Rita: 66, Hispanic, Catholic, general practitioner (doctorate), poor health (two heart attacks), highly literate (quotes extensively).
[/list]
[/quote]
For those who voiced their interest in my posting of these as I come across them, here are your mentions. Granted these will vary wildly in quality and content, but post-apocalypse is always a very strong theme and has plenty to work with. As you can see, some of these choices are not particularly easy and none too many of these people are ideal candidates to keep humanity alive with.

[@Altered Tundra][@Briza][@Jaredthefox92][@Sirkaithethird]