The Sun Spits Out a Massive Solar Flare- The Biggest in Years

On August 9th, 2011, the sun spat out a massive solar flare- fortunately (or unfortunately, I’ll explain later) not in the direction of the Earth. The solar flare was the biggest ever recorded in recent times.

Scientists have warned that if a solar flare powerful enough were to ever hit the Earth that it would mean the end of the electric grid for decades. If such were the case, anarchy is almost ensured given that grocery stores would shut-down, whole cities would become pitch-black, and police and military would be unable to coordinate.

The Carrington Event

In 1859, the sun blasted the Earth with a super-massive beam which damaged telegraph machines even catching some on fire. If the so called “Carrington Event” were to happen again, it would mean lights out for the entire Earth and the beginning of civilization’s demise.

A solar flare destroys the Earth in the Nicolas Cage film, “Knowing”. Note that it’s unrealistic for this scale of damage to occur- a global black out is more likely.

Property Damage

Scientists have estimated that the property damage of another Carrington Event would cost us trillions of dollars that we don’t really have. With the economies of the world in the tank, it would be virtually impossible to repair all that a disruptive solar flare would damage internationally.

Imagine living in an overpopulated city at the time of a new Carrington Event. One would find it virtually impossible to get out alive from such an epicenter of carnage.

Benefits of a Global Black-Out?

If the sun does strike the Earth and knock out the entire power-grid, this will certainly set us back about one hundred years. However, the benefits of living wholly independent from the once existing social order far outweighs the fear normally associated with destructive solar activity.

To be able to once again form cliques and tribes of like-minded individuals who share the same values and to live more in accord with nature is something I would look forward to. Yes, I wouldn’t have Subway, my iPod Touch, or the local shopping mall, but these are all things I could really do without- especially considering that everything “modern” is almost always associated with you having to spend money and thus play into the Capitalist gang-bang.

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