Solar Flares and Electronics

[bob]

Let's say a massive solar flare occurred that destroyed all electronics on the earth. For sake of this discussion, all electronics, regardless of location and any storage in shielding, are rendered useless.

How long until society is back to "normal" from a technological standpoint? Would it even occur in a 50 year timeline? Obviously, there would be a massive die off due to food and medical supply issues as well as lawlessness, etc, and the average lifespan would drop fairly dramatically. But lots of knowledge would still be available in books - the question is would those knowledgeable enough to apply that information live long enough to see things through or train the next generation?

[Warhammer]

I feel we are too specialized for our own good. There is a lack of people that can put everything together. My guess is it would take 30 years to recover, depending how much is recoverable.

[Logan]

The starting point would be pulling everything out of the ground (by hand or by hand-made tool) and needing to refine everything without any machines.

Think we all die off first.

[Suicane75]

My EMP attack supply shed will come in handy.

[AnalBumCover]

In this YouTube generation, we wont know how to do anything without our DIY/lifehack videos.

[QuikSand]

And as we know, half of FOFC can't apply a fucking bandaid without posting a thread here first to ask if it's a good idea.

[Kodos]

Safety FIRST!

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

And as we know, half of FOFC can't apply a fucking bandaid without posting a thread here first to ask if it's a good idea.

First we need the bandaid buying discussion thread.

[Coffee Warlord]

Alright boys, here we go!!!! Band-aid brand band-aid first impressions!

[bob]

This took an odd turn...

[cartman]

what if they are Billy Joel band-aids?

[Kodos]

I hear those band-aids go to extremes.

[Coffee Warlord]

is it possible to forge a band-aid?

[cartman]

back to the original question, I think we could get back to the same level within 50 years. It wouldn't be pretty, but it could be done.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think maybe I misread the original concept.

I thought it was just "existing rendered useless", so I was thinking "so we rebuild stuff".

Apparently that isn't the concept, I gather from reading that it's supposed to be "permanently useless".

In which case, we're fucked.

[Edward64]

With the massive die off, destruction of manufacturing facilities, focus on basic survival needs (e.g. growing food, medicines etc. before iPad), society will never get back to normal.

Now if the solar flare did not destroy all electronics, we will have a jump start to rebuild. If not, it'll be a long decline/stay in the middle ages.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Edward64

With the massive die off, destruction of manufacturing facilities, focus on basic survival needs (e.g. growing food, medicines etc. before iPad), society will never get back to normal.

Now if the solar flare did not destroy all electronics, we will have a jump start to rebuild. If not, it'll be a long decline/stay in the middle ages.

Especially when you consider that if the solar flare were bad enough to wipe out all electronics, pretty much everyone would have cancer or radiation sickness as well.

[claphamsa]

dont forget all the nuclear reactors would melt down....

[Edward64]

Time to look for that off the grid land in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho and buy more AR's.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Time to look for that off the grid land in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho and buy more AR's.

I would head to all the NYC steakhouses and eat myself to death first.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Time to look for that off the grid land in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho and buy more AR's.

Pfft...you'll be the first to go when the Yellowstone Caldera finally blows.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Logan

I would head to all the NYC steakhouses and eat myself to death first.

Don't do it. You would probably be eaten first as NYC would be a cluster.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by JeeberD

Pfft...you'll be the first to go when the Yellowstone Caldera finally blows.

Thanks, had to look it up. Interesting, didn't know about it.

I'll still take it over heavily populated areas though.

[JPhillips]

I'm directing a play this fall called Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. If it's to be believed we still won't have electricity in 83 years, but there will be traveling troupes of Simpsons reenactors.

[AnalBumCover]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play

TIL

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Don't do it. You would probably be eaten first as NYC would be a cluster.

Damn, you think people are gonna start eating other people first? Like before the grocery stores and basic goods stores get pillaged?

I'm not cut out to survive this type of new world so I'm not going to go through the charade of trying. I'd rather die a couple days in than after 2 years of rationing beans.

edit: Decent chance people don't even realize what's going on immediately. This is what is currently on the covers of both tabloids which millions of people have likely looked at without doing a double take.

[Warhammer]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Thanks, had to look it up. Interesting, didn't know about it.

I'll still take it over heavily populated areas though.

If and when that blows, I might want to be there rather than deal with the aftermath.

[bob]

What will really happen when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts?