[steam_cannon]

EMP threats from nuclear and solar flares are getting some recognition by an Ex-CIA director, I like this. I think it's a topic that deserves attention and one of the believable scenarios doomers worry about. A massive solar flare from the sun (12% per year risk) or an EMP from a small nuclear strike are both likely events that can happen to our highly electricity dependent society. But also these are scenarios we as a society can prepare for. Having back up transformers for our electrical grid would be hugely expensive, but are certainly possible to build. Working out grid restart plans and repair plans are also possible. So these are things we can and realistically should do. So I think it's great this is getting some attention!

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/15/06/10/0344245/ex-cia-director-were-not-doing-nearly-enough-to-protect-against-the-emp-threat]Ex-CIA Director: We're Not Doing Nearly Enough To Protect Against the EMP Threat[/url] (June 10, 2015)

"Last week saw the release of an open letter written to President Obama by a committee of notable political, security and defense experts — which includes past and present members of Congress, ambassadors, CIA directors, and others — on the country's concerning level of vulnerability to a natural or man-made Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP). An EMP has very real potential for crippling much of our electrical grid instantaneously. Not only would that immediately throw the social order into chaos, but the timeline to repair and restart the grid in most estimated scenarios would take months to a year or more."

Related: Why Our Brains Can't Process the Gravest Threats To Humanity (June 10, 2015)

[Newfie]

The second link, well the original story, deserves a thread of its own.

Hint, hint!

[steam_cannon]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'T')he second link, well the original story, deserves a thread of its own.

Hint, hint!

[steam_cannon]

P.S. I re-read my post and I posted the number wrong above, that should read "12% chance every decade" for an electronic society crushing solar flare. Never the less, not a small risk.

[Pops]

EMP scares me.
Walking to the store is one thing, I can get by OK without my allotted 50 miles per day, but we are fairly well done without juice. As to scary geologic references, the Olduvai Gorge is much more intimidating than Hubbert's Peak.

[Pops]

Just read it a couple of weeks ago, Pete, LOL.
A sequel is coming out soon One Year After

[PrestonSturges]

One Second After is a pretty mediocre book at best, and he stole much of the plot from Alas, Babylon.

[careinke]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrestonSturges', 'O')ne Second After is a pretty mediocre book at best, and he stole much of the plot from Alas, Babylon.