Layer of civilization

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In summary, the conversation discusses the potential societal effects of a global electricity blackout. It is suggested that societies heavily dependent on electricity, particularly large cities, would experience immediate breakdown in a matter of days. However, less developed or self-sufficient areas may not notice a difference for a longer period of time. It is also noted that the adaptability of human societies may allow them to survive in the long term despite major disruptions.
  • #1
Alfi
Sun flare
Terror attack
pre strike because you might become my enemy in the future.
someone plugged in the toaster and the kettle one morning.

whatever. if IF Global electricity went down. And stayed down. ...

How long would individual nations survive? How Thick is the layer of society in various areas of our planet?
Large cities run on electricity. What if it were removed? Personal homes would be out of food/heat/communications/etc. How long do you wait till you start to panic.
Days? Weeks? My guess would be less than one month.

Some other 'third world' places might not notice a difference till the next dry season and wonder where the truck is. They may have a thickness of several years.

How long could you last?
 
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  • #2
Society stops functioning in a temporary power outage. If the electric grid went down and people knew there were no immediate prospects for getting it back, society would start to break down in a matter of days.
 
  • #3
The magnitude of social dislocation due to an interruption/destruction of an unevenly distributed/utilized resource is clearly positively correlated to the local dependency of that resource.

For example, the Germanic incursions in the early fifth century Roman Empire led to a swift contraction of a city-based market economy.
In rural areas that were closely connected to cities through market mechanisms, in that agrarian specializations were well underway (making the local farms dependent upon their livelihood from commercial interchange), the break-down of the city-system led to a swifter spiralling down of living conditions, even to beneath the level of those rural areas that had been largely self-sufficient and unintegrated in the maket economy prior to the occasioning incursions.

For example, in Northern Italy, pottery had been a commercial ware prior to the Germanic incursions; the type of substitute hand-made pottery for household use coming into being afterwards was of a very inferior quality to that household hand-made pottery already made in commercially unintegrated zones of the Roman empire (some zones of Britain, for example).

You may read Bryan Ward-Perkins' book on the varied effects on economy in the post-invasion Empire for further examples.
 
  • #4
Alfi said:
]
How long would individual nations survive?

Nations or societies might disintegrate but in long term they would be there (different superpowers and different national boundaries)

So, as much as they would with electricity.
Isn't it the adaptability that has helped us to reach here.
 

1. What is a layer of civilization?

A layer of civilization refers to a distinct level or stage of human development that is characterized by a particular set of cultural, social, and technological advancements. It is essentially a way of categorizing and understanding the progress of human societies over time.

2. How do we determine the different layers of civilization?

Layers of civilization are usually determined by examining a society's level of technological development, social organization, and cultural achievements. These factors can include things like the use of tools and technology, development of agriculture and trade, establishment of social hierarchies, and creation of art and literature.

3. What are some examples of layers of civilization?

Some examples of layers of civilization include the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, which are defined by the use of different types of materials for tools and weapons. Other examples include ancient civilizations like the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Greeks, which are known for their advancements in agriculture, writing, and government.

4. How do layers of civilization impact our world today?

Layers of civilization have a significant impact on our world today as they have shaped the foundations of modern society. Many of the technologies, social structures, and cultural practices we have today can be traced back to earlier layers of civilization. Additionally, studying these layers can help us understand how human societies have evolved and how we can continue to progress in the future.

5. Are layers of civilization linear or cyclical?

There is ongoing debate among scientists and historians about whether layers of civilization follow a linear or cyclical pattern. Some argue that societies continuously progress and develop, while others believe that civilizations rise and fall in cycles. Ultimately, it is likely a combination of both linear and cyclical patterns, as different societies and cultures experience progress and decline at different rates and in different ways.

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