The quote from Douglas Coupland's "Eleanor Rigby" suggests that people who fantasize about the end of the world lack an understanding of what lies beyond life. Their focus on the apocalypse reflects a deep despair or disillusionment with the current state of existence, potentially stemming from a fear of change or the unknown.
Moreover, the sentiment implies that these individuals, in their desire to escape life's struggles, would prefer to bring everything down with them rather than face an uncertain future. This speaks to a broader existential crisis where the fear of loss and the desire for control may overshadow hope for a better existence beyond the present moment.