(0815)(0816)
When it suddenly stops
Chap called Fernando Nikolic:
“I was there yesterday when Spain went dark. It took less than an hour for panic to set in. Cash became, surprisingly, worthless. Here’s what actually happens when the systems break:
No internet. No phone service. No warning. Within an hour, lines were already forming at supermarkets and gas stations. People didn’t wait for answers and just acted on instinct.
Then, the rumors. Someone said it was a cyberattack. Others said the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Greece were also hit. There was no way to confirm anything. Fear spread faster than facts.
I went to grab supplies. It didn’t matter if you even had cash. Stores couldn’t give change. If you only had a €50 bill for a €5 item, you either handed it over or walked away with nothing.
I didn’t have a radio at home. The only way to get updates was to walk to my car, turn on the radio, and listen there. It was the only working source of information.
One thing became obvious: The more centralized the system, the more fragile it is. The Iberian Peninsula’s interconnected grid turned a local issue into a regional blackout within minutes.
The power eventually came back. But the illusion didn’t. It doesn’t take days, or even hours, for society to start unraveling. It takes minutes.
Decentralize what you can. Keep basic tools around. Don’t assume the systems you rely on will always be there. Yesterday made that very clear.
Modern systems are fragile. Most people won’t see it until it breaks.”
…….
Thoughts:
There was a film: The Day the Earth Stood Still … there are also “prepper” sites around, the more experienced authors actually having land with large water tanks etc.
Chap above said power came back on after an hour … I’m thinking many at home would wait for that to happen. I have my own supply for a short time, during which I’d post a message here, not that it would make a lot of difference unless you also had power or were in a different land.
Probably wise to stock up slowly on tinned/canned food, water bottles.
Defence … this would be your next consideration … marauders, esp. of a certain kind, though any marauder is a problem. Therefore you have some decisions to make … ahead of time. I’d not put anything in comments here about your defensive measures … stasi of course is the main issue.
I’d say this though … better to have layered defences, from perimeter inwards, not physically requiring you on the outer layers.
Loo roll … not a consideration to be sniffed at.
