[…] interesting question for you: how long do you think it would take us to rebuild our civilization if the world died tomorrow? Let’s say that the worst, most disturbing predictions of the Peak Oil scenario all turn out […]

I’ve actually spent a lot of time thinking about this and have been trying to accumulate curiosities like horse powered farm equipment, passive solar & geothermal systems, a wood burning heating and cook stove, and expanding to a few acres for a small farm, orchard and vegetable garden with goats and chickens. I wouldn’t have to hit the library, just my own bookshelf as I’ve collected a lot of books on self-sufficiency from horse operated farm equipment to food preservation. Even my old laptop has a solar charger, and being a toughbook it’s more likely to survive the apocalypse than most people.

[quote post=”2330″]Also, I bet out population would increase. )[/quote]

Heh, that’s what my dad said when the power went: “the population of our town is increasing as we speak”.

Well written post, very vividly describes your experiences of that night. I enjoyed it.

I think that most of us would be able to adapt ourselves and in a sense reverse (or go back a bit in) our evolution. At times I enjoy and appreciate being somewhere outside the tech infused world to relax, think and reflect. On the other hand, I enjoy being able to come right back to it when I’m ready. :)

So it would be challenging, but I believe that we as a human race would definitely be able to adapt, take advantage of it and move on. Also, I bet out population would increase. ;)

[quote post=”2330″]No UPS? A CRT for a monitor? What the hell kind of computer user are you? You’re practically living in the stone age already[/quote]

Thanks, rub it in, why don’t you. :P

[quote post=”2330″]The way this was explained to me was that the citizens there are so accustomed to hearing background noise (which is unavoidable in such a dense population environment), that once they leave, they can’t do things such as sleep without some sort of artificial background noise. The constant exposure to background noise seems to have left some sort of psychological imprint on the population.[/quote]

Interesting. But I think it would be purely psychological, and they should be able to adjust to the new environment pretty quickly.

[quote post=”2330″]When they finally got to the destination, the Singaporeans had so much trouble with the vast, empty outdoors that they wouldn’t let go of the car, and only showed interest in going back to the city.[/quote]

I grew up in a big city, but I never experienced any kind of aggophobia like that. Then again my dad used to take us hiking, fishing and etc when we were kids. I guess if someone never actually been in an open area like that it could be a shock.

I used to know a guy who was a senior manager at a Hong Kong bank. He was working out of Perth (in Western Australia) and had to take care of a delegation from Singapore. With a couple of hours to kill, he decided to take them out to some scenic place about an hour away. After 15 minutes of driving through countryside, they were continually asking him “Why aren’t there people here” to which he’d reply “it’s countryside, there’s nothing for them to do here, they live in the city”.

When they finally got to the destination, the Singaporeans had so much trouble with the vast, empty outdoors that they wouldn’t let go of the car, and only showed interest in going back to the city.

It’s an interesting counterpoint to the more usual story of the country bumpkin that can’t deal with city life on arrival.

I have my airpistol in my cupboard, the ammo somewhere else, a wind up torch, and heavy enough clothing with lots of pockets. First thing I’d do, go and stock up on beans and stuff, and get the air rifle from my stepdads house, should the power outage last more than a day.

Why Hong Kong? Do they have more background noise there? Or less?

Over all, Hong Kong is has one of the highest population densities in the world. Certain urban areas inside Hong Kong are insanely dense. The way this was explained to me was that the citizens there are so accustomed to hearing background noise (which is unavoidable in such a dense population environment), that once they leave, they can’t do things such as sleep without some sort of artificial background noise. The constant exposure to background noise seems to have left some sort of psychological imprint on the population.

Having never been to Hong Kong, I can’t say any of this with certainty. It’s just what I recall reading.

No UPS? A CRT for a monitor? What the hell kind of computer user are you? You’re practically living in the stone age already ;)

Power went out here a month or two ago. The entrance to my apartment is indoors, so I used the light from my rarely-used cellphone to find my way. I just did the key like a blind person (tip of my finger guiding it). I know my apartment well enough (it’s small too) that I could get to the bedroom closet where the battery-powered lamp is.

I thought, “Okay, I have light. Now what?” Really, what was there to do? The lighting wasn’t good enough for anything artistic (unless one doesn’t care about good colors). It may have been okay for reading, but would I want to use up the battery just to read?

I’ve often thought about how amazing it is that our most valuable inventions and cutting-edge knowledge are useless in any time other than now. Jump back 10 years and you can’t use your SATA hard drive. Jump back more and all your electronic devices are useless. Oh, you have a handcrank for your laptop; well what the hell is it good for without the Internet? lol… crazy world we live in… and soon to be obsolete ;)

[quote post=”2330″]I could at least draw on my knowledge of zombie apocalypse films to know vaguely what to do.. maybe (probably not).[/quote]

I know! LOL Isn’t it funny that our survival skills are based on watching bad zombie movies. I’m the same way. It’s sad.

[quote post=”2330″]I think I’d actually enjoy being without power for a week or so, as long as everyone else was too. It’d help me focus on more important things than checking google reader and reddit. I’d read more books, I’d play more board games, I’d do more homework. Overall, after the initial shock, I think I’d be better organized and focused.[/quote]

This is what vacations are for. :) I usually don’t expect to have internet connection or TV when I’m going away somewhere. But electricity and running water is a must for me – I don’t do camping under a tent or any silly stuff like that. :P

[quote post=”2330″]I read something a while back about how people who lived for an extended period of time in Hong Kong, experience this same thing on a much higher level.[/quote]

Why Hong Kong? Do they have more background noise there? Or less?

[quote post=”2330″]You can also calculate your likely hood of survival on their website: http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/worldwarz/%5B/quote%5D

27% – I’m screwed. :(

[quote post=”2330″]Btw, very nicely written post! I think you should start writing, I’d read it![/quote]

Thanks! :mrgreen: If I write something lengthier than a blog post I’m gonna send it to you for proofreading/critique then. ;P