I was having this conversation with my daughter and thought it was an interesting topic.
If an EMP or solar flare took out everything electronic in the whole world (permanently), how long do you think it would take for you to die, given your current location and circumstances.
I believe my daughter thinks we would live a lot longer than I do, but she is thinking about how long she can live without the internet while I am thinking the world will quickly descend into anarchy.
With no traditional forms of transport, so supplies would dry up, limited resources, health etc, law and order would be a challenge as things become more desperate.
I think I would live for about 3 months. I would try to get the family somewhere safe and remote and come back later, but I think most people would have the same idea.
For example the Usa is, and has always been that way.
Many other countries are different, and there is no reason to assume that our scenario here would change that.
I agree that the USA has always had a “might makes right” mentality, especially in regards to its international relations, but yes, within our domestic affairs as well.
The boon of technologies, however, is initially a benefit to those who are differently abled, or somehow otherwise incapable of accomplishing physically strenuous tasks (think of the boon the invention of the bicycle had to women, who were demonized for wearing pants shortly after its invention and visiting ”men of ill repute” just the town over. Or more recently the invention of modern contraceptives and safer abortion techniques).
Said technologies are often usually then weaponized for power or profit by militaries, police, and corporations to exploit and disenfranchise, as well as remove access of these technologies to certain classes of people (the public working and public lower classes).
One only has to look at the corporatization of the modern farming industry and its rabid attempts to circumvent right to repair laws to see its nightmarish effects on not only agriculture, but also the modern farmer’s ability to run their own business according to their whims, and not an overlord corporation.
The loss of electricity worldwide would send us back to the late 19th century for the most part. And there are many strong, dominant, men who would love nothing more than to have the reliance of brute strength become the rule of law again.
To me, that is not a time I wish to revisit, that is not a transition I wish to bear witness to, as it would likely involve witnessing the disenfranchisement and disenpowerment of the world’s differently abled people as well as witnessing the rise of violent conflicts over resources and a return of more blatant slavery than we see today. Quite simply, I’d rather die.
I do hope this would play out differently in other countries (likely smaller countries). But the cynic in me doesn’t believe it’s possible.