Your assignment: Design a post-apocalyptic communication system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a communication system for a post-apocalyptic scenario where underground cities need to establish internet and television connections among themselves and potentially with survivors in Europe and Asia. The focus includes both theoretical and practical considerations for communication technologies that could be employed given the constraints of energy availability and distances between nodes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the need for a communication system that can function over long distances, questioning the practicality of connecting nodes given the lack of infrastructure between cities.
  • Another participant humorously references the original design parameters of the internet, implying that the task may not be as complex as it seems.
  • There is a suggestion to use "really long strings" as a playful take on communication methods.
  • One participant proposes using ham radio as a potential solution for communication.
  • Satellite communications are mentioned as another possible method for establishing connections.
  • A more unconventional idea is presented, suggesting the use of the remaining US nuclear arsenal to broadcast Morse code seismically, utilizing old USGS equipment for those further away or hard of hearing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a variety of ideas and approaches, indicating that there is no consensus on a single solution. Multiple competing views remain regarding the best methods for establishing communication in this scenario.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the feasibility of the proposed methods, and assumptions about energy availability and infrastructure limitations are not fully explored.

CCWilson
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I'm a programmer but weak on hardware so I'd appreciate your help. In a novel I'm writing there are about one hundred underground cities housing one million people in the US; the rest of our population is dead. Somewhat smaller percentage of survivors in Europe and Asia. We have several years warning and want to establish a communication system - internet and television - for the survivors, including - if possible - communication with Europe and Asia via undersea cables. The cities have plenty of energy available but there will be none between cities, so I wonder if the distances between nodes will make it impractical.

Can anyone help me with this? Thanks.
 
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Your assignment: Design a post-apocalyptic communication system
Sounds like the original design parameter for the internet... so what's wrong with that?
 


This but with really long strings
 
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Ham Radio?
 
Satellite comms?
 
they should use the remaining us nuclear arsenal to broadcast morsecode seismically.

they can use old USGS equipment if they're a little further away or hard of hearing.
 

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