I added this article from the Sci Fi Channel as an indicator for how the general public thinks about the scenarios we feature on this site. The results of their poll were quite interesting.

One thousand Americans were polled in April 2006 regarding their thoughts and concerns about possible real-life "doomsday" events. This online study was conducted by TNS market research.


WHAT WE LEARNED...

• Virtually all (99%) Americans concede that at least one of the ten "doomsday" scenarios could ever potentially happen.
  
  
• Data suggest that Americans tend to be most concerned with possible real-life events that they think are preventable and/or could potentially happen in their lifetime.
  
  
• Americans are most concerned with the threat of terrorism, followed by global warming and a disease pandemic, such as the Avian Flu. Some are also concerned about an ecosystem collapse.
  
  
• In fact, 76% of Americans believe that "humans may ultimately cause their own extinction."
  
  
• Americans are divided as to whether our country is prepared for a series of terrorist strikes and/or a disease pandemic such as the Avian Flu. While the country is perceived as being more prepared for these events than for other "doomsday" scenarios, most Americans do not believe that our country is prepared for either terrorism or a disease pandemic.
  
  
• In fact, 31% of Americans do not think the country is prepared for any of the 10 "doomsday" events presented in this study.
  
  
• The majority of Americans believe that asteroid collisions, supervolcanoes, solar flares and gamma-ray bursts could happen, but relatively few believe that these events will happen in their lifetime. Most Americans feel these events are "unavoidable." However, it is important to note that data suggest that many Americans do not know enough about solar flares or gamma rays to assess their level of threat.
  
  
• The majority of Americans do not believe they are at risk of an alien invasion or a world with robots in command.
  
  
• Approximately one-quarter of Americans have a strong "doomsday" outlook and strongly agree with the following statements: "I fear for the future of mankind," and, "Life as we know it could come to an abrupt end any day."
  
  
• Americans are divided as to whether one can actually prepare for a "doomsday" event. However, 24% of Americans say their household "has emergency supplies ready in case of a 'doomsday' event."

Original Source : http://www.scifi.com/doomsday/survey/ (Countdown to Doomsday, from the Sci Fi Channel)