It is not uncommon for people to refuse to believe that humanity could ever go extinct. This belief holds even in the face of evidence that many previous species of humanity have done exactly that. Within the genus Homo are at least a dozen extinct species, not including Neanderthal Man, who vanished in the last two million years. About half a dozen of these are thought to have vanished in the last quarter-million years. Two may have died out in the last 30,000 years. The human fossil record is spotty and there is doubtless much left to learn about it, but extinction is clearly a part of the picture.

Nonetheless, as Jane Wagner wrote in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe: "The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool." Psychologists have recented pointed out that optimists (like Brittany Taylor) who deny certain uncomfortable elements of reality are a lot happier and healthier than the realists who don't (like Daria Morgendorffer). Too much realistic thinking isn't good in the long run. Human survival hinges on simply refusing to submit to the odds, no matter what.

This section offers resources for fanfic writers taking a look at the distant future of humanity after a DAYLIGHT-style global catastrophe. Some links are there only to reinforce the theme of the risk of extinction, as happened to the Neanderthals. Others reinforce the idea of survival even at severe cost. Good luck with your writing.