I’m not so sure about that.
If we lost the electric grid for say 60 days, then most, if not all of it might be down forever.
And millions would probably die. You can’t just turn the clock back two centuries and expect anything else.
1. An TEOTWAWKI Mad Max situation is the most unlikely scenario. If it does happen, then we do what it takes to survive – whatever it takes. After all, who is going to hold us accountable? Those with the most wits and the most guns will survive.
2. In spite of what some people on this board believe, America is not Africa. As a born and bred Pennsylvanian, the moment the thin veneer of civilization shatters, I’m not going to take that as an opportunity to go slaughter Ohioans. Now there is a type of tribalism that has grown up in some sections of some cities among certain groups. You don’t want to be anywhere near them. But I doubt they would last long beyond their own urban borders.
3. If government fails, community takes over. Anarchy just isn’t that popular in this country. People like stability. There were many small communities after Katrina that dried themselves off and started cleaning up immediately. Neighbors banded together and pooled their resources. We didn’t see them on the news because that isn’t drama. Communities made up of the chronically stupid won’t last long.
4. If you’ve read any books about London or Berlin during WWII, (or Beirut) you know that even in the worst hard times, even in the big city people adapt and continue their lives under the “new normal.” Those that can’t make that transition die off quickly.
5. Being prepared (food and meds stockpiled, security measures in place, etc) gives us the added benefit of time to assess a disaster situation. In the event of a Bad Event, the House of Meow is ready to hunker down IMMEDIATELY. I don’t have to transition to survival mode because I have been preparing for so long now (since September 12, 2001), that it has become a way of life – and even a satisfying hobby. If things go to hell, House of Meow goes on lockdown and we can monitor the situation in relative comfort and decide our next moves.
In the mean time, we are completely prepared for any short term disasters – like Snowmageddon last year or a week long horrific flu that struck this family this winter. We did nothing to get ready for it. We are always ready. And THAT…is a nice feeling.
I guess that I was speaking for myself. Given heirloom seeds, a clean water source, ammunition and staples like flour and sugar, I have the skillset to be able to survive for a very, very long time. I can hunt, fish, and live off the land if I need to. I can build, and I can farm. I heat with wood and would continue to do so, and can use it to cook without any problem. I have first aid and weapons training.
Tens of millions would almost certainly die, and that’s with only a 2-4 month loss of the grid. Disease and violent crime would run rampant, but the majority would starve or die from exposure. I hope we never see the day that any of this happens.