How long before the lights go out?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of a sudden disappearance of humanity and its impact on technical infrastructure. Participants explore how long various systems, such as telecommunications, electricity, and water supply, would continue to function without human oversight. The conversation touches on the implications of such a scenario for a lone survivor and the state of civilization's infrastructure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant wonders about the longevity of telecommunications, questioning how long cellphones and the PSTN network would remain operational without human intervention.
  • Another participant suggests that much of the infrastructure could be automated, although they express uncertainty about the specifics of maintenance in such a scenario.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for disease and decay in a situation where human life has abruptly ceased, with one participant emphasizing the grim realities of such an environment.
  • Participants reference popular culture, comparing the scenario to movies like "I Am Legend" and discussing the implications of being the last person on Earth.
  • There is a suggestion that the situation could be imagined as a "post-rapture" scenario, focusing on the operational status of infrastructure rather than the presence of decay or danger.
  • One participant notes that the duration of infrastructure functionality would likely vary significantly depending on the specific location and system in question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some focusing on the operational aspects of infrastructure and others emphasizing the potential dangers and societal collapse. There is no consensus on the specifics of how long various systems would last or the implications of such a scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the scenario, noting that assumptions about automation, maintenance, and the state of the environment are not fully resolved. The discussion includes speculative elements about human survival and societal collapse.

bern_viking
Hi everybody

First, apologies if this has been answered somewhere else, haven't found it. If so, just point me towards it.

Second, I don't know if this is the right place for this question, but I hope so.

Third, I should now get on to the question.

What I have been wondering about for some time is the question of how long our technical infrastructure would continue working after a sudden disappearance of humanity. My scenario:

"Something" happens that wipes out human life on this planet overnight. Maybe some few solitary survivors are still around just to keep the story going and record their experiences. Like me :-). The catastrophe only affects humans, not property is destroyed or damaged, all other life keeps on as normal

What would I as a lone survivor experience of civilisations infrastructure? What would be working "the day after". How long would it go on working? How long before the lights go out?

Telecom: How long would I be able to use the cellphone and PSTN network (apart from the question, who would I call?) ? How long would websites stay online?

Electricity supply: Would it quickly fail if nobody is constantly about to control it? Are there "dead-man buttons" that would shut down nuclear reactors if they are not "pressed" from time to time? Would it fail because there is not enough usage and hence the system would quickly overload?

Water/Sewage Systems: Any infos on how long before they stop working without supervision?

Any other infrastructure that would just start falling apart on its own in a short time horizon (of course buildings etc. would over time, I was wondering if there are things that have to be kept up constantly just to stay the way they are, like constantly pumping water out of the ships hull).


I have tried to search for something like it on the net, but a good search phrase is quite difficult. I usally end up on "aaaa we are all going to die because of nuclear energy" or "the rapture is coming tomorrow" websites...

Anyway, some thoughts for the Xmas holidays, sure to get a conversation started over the turkey or whatever...

Thanks for any replies or suggestions...

bern viking
 
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Well, I am sure most of the infrastructure can be automated, even the maintenance part if necessary. But as of now, in the real world I don't really know. You can survive obviously, early man didn't surf the web or watch T.V eh :wink:
But for the sake of humanity, I sure hope there is Mrs.viking surviving somewhere:smile:
 
This as a Christmas conversation?!

Let's just say you'll die shortly after since there are dead humans everywhere and disease will spread like wild fire and you're right in the middle of it.
 
Let's just say you'll die shortly after since there are dead humans everywhere and disease will spread like wild fire and you're right in the middle of it.
If it's an epidemic or something like that, that leaves human carcasses. I am thinking of an alien mass abduction for slavery :biggrin:

I agree, totally sombre Christmas conversation. Tell me they didn't take Santa at least!
 
This sounds a lot like that movie that is coming out soon. I forget what its called though.
 
Last man on Earth

 
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No. Isn't it like "I Am Legend" or something like that?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_Legend_(film )
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Why yes, there is a mrs viking, and I'm pretty sure that part of the situation would work without too much infrastructure, thank you.:wink:

Anyway, the situation I imagined is not so much zombies or rotting carcasses left on earth, but maybe a kind of "post-rapture" situation where apparently the heaven-threshold was set very, very low, so that only I was left back :smile:

And the question was more about how long the infrastructure around us would go on working if it was suddenly left on its own. How long before the cell phone antennas switch off, how long before electricity stops flowing, how long before the taps in the bathroom dry out if there is not someone there to keep an eye on them.

(about xmas suitability: I have a old childrens book about this situation, a little boy wakes up and is the only one left on earth. At first he has a grand time, going in and out of shops (looting!), driving around in fire-engines, flying planes, but then he gets hungry (has to cook himself, there is still gas in the kitchen) and start feeling lonely and afraid... wakes up and it was a dream... Ah, yes, in the 40ies they had some manly children books :smile: )
 
  • #10
It would really vary from place to place.
 
  • #11
(about xmas suitability: I have a old childrens book about this situation, a little boy wakes up and is the only one left on earth. At first he has a grand time, going in and out of shops (looting!), driving around in fire-engines, flying planes, but then he gets hungry (has to cook himself, there is still gas in the kitchen) and start feeling lonely and afraid... wakes up and it was a dream... Ah, yes, in the 40ies they had some manly children books )

Poor kid that must hurt.
 

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