I don't think many people realize (or maybe they just ignore) how fragile our civilizations are. Katrina was a prime example of how easily the system can break down and that was just one city. Can you imagine a regional (or nationwide) loss of infrastructure? I'd guess that within 48 hours of losing electricity people would begin to panic, and within the week without food and water there would be rioting. Just the internet going dark would cause mass confusion. We've connected every facet of our lives to it. I have little faith that our government would be able to support everyone. It would be martial law. Sorry I sound like a nut. This shit interests me. We have overextended ourselves as a species and nothing lasts forever. One major clusterfuck and it will all tumble down.
In 2003, most of the northeast was out for a day. Metro Detroit was out of power for 2-3 days... I can't remember the exact time. There were a few fights at gas stations, but I don't remember mass rioting. In fact, I remember a bunch of fluff pieces about people in Manhattan going outside (it was August) and actually meeting neighbors, Ice cream shops and restaurants giving away their wares for free since it was going to spoil anyway. I know that wasn't Katrina... It was just a couple days without power. But still, people can come together. edit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_blackout_of_2003I'd guess that within 48 hours of losing electricity people would begin to panic
This has been true for ages. The problem is that people rebuild, we take what was knocked down and use it as an excuse to build it back up, and build it better than it was before. I guarantee you that it won't be more than a year after power goes out universally that people have figured out replacements and gotten power running, in many places, again.We have overextended ourselves as a species and nothing lasts forever. One major clusterfuck and it will all tumble down.