The Day Technology Went Away

TL;DR

Solar flares, such as the Carrington Event and the Miyake events, have the potential to cause catastrophic damage to our technology and civilization.

Transcript

In september of 1859 a solar geomagnetic storm occured known as the Carrington Event that wreaked absolute havoc on the technology available in those days. Specifically, telegraph stations that reported sparking and even a fire due to geomagnetically induced current. This led to a curious effect, even when telegraph operators turned their equipment... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The Carrington Event in 1859 and the Miyake events were both solar events that caused significant disruptions to technology.
• ❓ The Miyake events were much more powerful than the Carrington Event and are still not fully understood.
• 🥺 Solar flares can have long-lasting effects on technology, potentially leading to the collapse of civilization.
• ✊ The unpredictability and power of solar flares pose a significant risk to our modern technological society.
• 💩 The impact of a solar flare hitting us today could be devastating, considering our heavy reliance on technology.
• 🛟 Our technological paradigm has drastically changed our lives and made us dependent on modern infrastructure.
• 🥺 A sudden loss of our technological infrastructure, such as through a solar flare, could lead to a collapse in civilization.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the Carrington Event and how did it impact technology?

The Carrington Event, which occurred in 1859, was a solar geomagnetic storm that caused telegraph stations to spark and even catch fire. It allowed telegraph operators to send and receive messages even when their equipment was turned off.

Q: What are the Miyake events and why are they so powerful?

The Miyake events, which occurred in the past, were over a hundred times more powerful than the Carrington Event. Their exact cause is still not fully understood, but they are believed to be solar flares of extreme power.

Q: How often do solar flares occur and can we predict them?

Solar flares are part of the sun's solar cycle, but the Miyake events seem to occur regardless of where the sun is in its cycle. They vary in duration and can happen unexpectedly, making it challenging to predict them accurately.

Q: What would happen if a solar flare like the Carrington Event were to hit today?

If a solar flare similar to the Carrington Event were to hit today, it could wreak havoc on our technology and potentially cause long-term power grid failures. The impact on civilization could be catastrophic.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1859, the Carrington Event caused havoc on telegraph systems, sparking fires and allowing communication even when the equipment was turned off.

• The Miyake events, which occurred in the past, were over a hundred times more powerful than the Carrington Event and are not fully understood.

• If a solar flare similar to these events were to occur today, it could have long-lasting effects on our technology and potentially lead to the collapse of our civilization.