How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

My hunch is that the city requires more "inputs" to stay survivable (fewer food/water stockpiles available), dependant on inputs. However cities would also be the focus for recovery efforts and disaster relief.

On the flip side, the country has a greater store of natural resources per-capita (water, likely food, heat sources), however would be deprioritized for any kind of support.

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:27 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#6

Post by groffee » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:27 AM UTC

I think everyone should turn off their power for a couple of hours (when convenient) just to see if and how well they'd manage. Because it's so easy to become reliant on something without realizing that it could go.

Powers gone off? Guess I'll put the kettle on and make some tea while I wait - no power. It's got a bit dark - put the light on. Listen to spotify? No songs downloaded and no data etc etc. And that's not even covering food preparation yet.

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#7

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:28 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#8

Post by wmf » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:29 AM UTC

marstall wrote: post #2

scary. presume FEMA would significantly mitigate things in a Texas-wide outage ... but something much wider ... yikes

FEMA would take a week or longer to even wake up and they don't have the resources to help Texas. Source: Katrina.

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#9

Post by School-Cotton » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:30 AM UTC

groffee wrote: post #6

I think everyone should turn off their power for a couple of hours (when convenient) just to see if and how well they'd manage. Because it's so easy to become reliant on something without realizing that it could go. Powers gone off? Guess I'll put the kettle on and make some tea while I wait - no power. It's got a bit dark - put the light on. Listen to spotify? No songs downloaded and no data etc etc. And that's not…

Luckily, if you have a gas stove, you can still heat up water for tea at least :)

Re: How long would society last during a total grid collapse?

#10

Post by philwelch » Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 4:30 AM UTC

tevon wrote: post #4

I'd be curious if it would be better to be in the city or the country. My hunch is that the city requires more "inputs" to stay survivable (fewer food/water stockpiles available), dependant on inputs. However cities would also be the focus for recovery efforts and disaster relief. On the flip side, the country has a greater store of natural resources per-capita (water, likely food, heat sources), however would be dep…

In the long run, country, because you have more room there to build your own off-grid infrastructure.