I do have
pocketlj and a backlit Handspring to fall back on, however. I also have basic info on all sorts of things stored on this gadget, most of which are not relevant in a world without electricity.I can't help but think of the first episode of James Burke's Connections, where he explains the premise of the show. If society were to suddenly not have power for a prolonged period of time, we'd start by fumbling around in the dark, then we'd have to start thinking about survival. Cities would slip into chaos, as people started competing for scarce supplies of food,etc. Many would have to flee to the countryside, where they'd have to restart society with the first real tool that made fixed civilizations possible -- the plow.
I wonder someday whether something disasterous will happen and the final gasps will be jotted down on some computer, waiting for the lights that would never come back on. If I get trapped under a pile of rubble, sure do hope I remember a PDA, because I'm sure I would have a few things to say about it.
The lights are still out here... and me, alone in the dark, plowless.
