CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

The clock is ticking away …

What would you do if you were told you had 10 years to live? Or only 10 minutes? Researchers in London put those questions to 500 people and the responses were quite revealing.

Given 10 years, most people said they would find a job they liked, borrow and spend a lot more money and become involved in a steady relationship. But given only 10 minutes to live, the majority said they would have sex, get drunk, pray to God or simply smoke a cigarette. Some said they would commit a crime.

The poll appears to underline one simple reality – that confronted with a deadline, most people would change the way they live. See the full survey results below.

Ten years to live – survey results

1. Totally change my lifestyle
2. Get a job I like
3. Get into overdraft mode and spend spend spend
4. Get a steady relationship
5. Stop worrying about life – and live it
6. Be a nicer person
7. Sell-up and move overseas
8. Stop working
9. Find religion
10. Have lots of parties

Ten minutes to live – survey results

1. Have sex
2. Get drunk
3. Pray to God
4. Have a cigarette
5. Phone a friend /relative
6. Quit the diet
7. Panic
8. Take painkillers
9. Nothing
10. Commit a crime e.g. rob a bank