Posted on 10/09/2022 4:20:49 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Yes, it could happen, but it would take a giant solar storm...
Solar storms...occur when the sun releases an intense burst of electromagnetic radiation. This disturbance throws off waves of energy that travel outward, impacting other bodies in the solar system, including Earth. When the wayward electromagnetic waves interact with Earth's own magnetic field, they have a couple of effects.
The first is that they cause electric currents to flow in Earth's upper atmosphere, heating the air...These geomagnetic storms can create beautiful auroras to appear over polar regions, but they can also disrupt radio signals and GPS. What's more, as the atmosphere heats, it puffs up like a marshmallow, adding extra drag to satellites in low Earth orbit and knocking smaller pieces of space junk off course.
As powerful electric currents flow through our planet's upper atmosphere, they induce powerful currents that flow through the crust as well. This can interfere with electrical conductors sitting on top of the crust, such as power grids...The result is localized power outages that can be difficult to fix; one such event struck Quebec March 13, 1989, resulting in a 12-hour blackout... More recently, a solar flare knocked out 40 Starlink satellites when SpaceX failed to check the space weather forecast...
In order to take down the internet entirely, a solar storm would need to interfere with the ultra-long fiber optic cables that stretch beneath the oceans and link continents. Every 30 to 90 miles (50 to 145 kilometers), these cables are equipped with repeaters that help boost their signal as it travels. While the cables themselves aren't vulnerable to geomagnetic storms, the repeaters are. And if one repeater goes out, it could be enough to take down the entire cable, and if enough cables went offline, it could cause an "internet apocalypse..."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
You set the bar pretty low. How about knowing where iron ore an coal can be found, and how to refine it into steel? How about gaining access to printed ore survey maps? Maybe you could lay in chemistry, physics, biology, and medical books.
I think a lot about recovering from the ashes, and have some heavy duty books to prove it. It is better to think ahead about recovery than willingly return to the stone ages.
My book collection includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Electronics
Mathematics
Tool Making
Firearm Making
Machine Shop Technique
Wood Shop Technique
Construction of Vacuum Tubes
Software topics of every description
Digital logic, CPU architecture
Making thread and weaving
What is in your library?
Actually I agree with your perspective. And historically this was the purpose of Monasteries. To preserve knowledge for the future benefit of cultures after a downfall. I think you are right, it is once again time for these knowledge archives to be preserved. But knowing how to work stone and make fire will be the most useful for the general masses as basic general survival knowledge. The curious leaders will seek out the Monasteries and archives to further their knowledge base and then share it with others after the initial downfall.
Well done, I too have collected a knowledge base over the years. Those who do will be a jump head of most. :)
Think Carrington Event!
Wow! Sparking and fires in telegraph stations! That was a serious solar flare.
Then come the Vikings to pay their respects at the monasteries...
People might be forced to read books for a while.
Those who still know what books are and can read!
If it happens global warning will be blamed.
"There was a time when reading wasn't just for fags. And neither was writing. People wrote books and movies. Movies with stories, that made you care about whose ass it was and why it was farting. And I believe that time can come again!"
I love that show
That will be the mantra of the ones who won’t survive.
Larry Niven and Jerry Peurnelle wrote “Lucifer’s Hammer”. That is the book that got me into this survival mode.
Yep...
What’s in My Library?¿
.
Bibles
Ballistics charts and
Baptist Preachers sermons.
.
I like yours too.
Only if we are lucky.
“President Not Sure” went Family Style on that speech!
Work stone
Make fire.
.
You got me thinking....Ouch.
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