Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

[SquarePizza]

Something I have been mulling over is how little data we actually store on paper these days. Ask me to recite any number out of my phone and I can only tell you my mother's number. My best friend who I would want at my side in times of conflict? Nope... don't know it.

What about my buddy from the Net whom I have met and played paintball with multiple times, but I have never been to his house. Could I find it without asking him on facebook? Nope.

Where am I going with this?....

Well, I am glad that you have asked. Because we have seen across multiple countries that movements have been documented, organized, and discussed on social media. In light of this, the UN has sought control over information flow, and many countries seek to place kill buttons on their electronic infrastructure.

If things really got bad enough in any state system, I am sure that there would be Internet and cellular data blackouts. Hell that happens in my home town during graduation weekend, too many people in town for the cell system to support, and calls often fail. How much worse would it be in a time of natural or social disaster?

So as I realize that I could not find my support system of friends without electronic help, I have to ask: Do you have your contact lists backed up on paper?

 

[aur0ra145]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

I have the numbers of my closest friends and family memorized. I made a point to do that some time ago when I had a cell phone shit out.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

If the internet is down....what makes you think your phone is going to work?

 

[Guest]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: armorpl8chikn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If the internet is down....what makes you think your phone is going to work? </div></div>

Correct. That is why the bulk of our group is in Ham radio and a few other things.
FYI, Just a few strokes and every MSO, MTSO, HLSS, and SAT will lock out everyone that does not have the correct ID to make a call. That means if you don't control it, or part of the "New Group", you will be in the dark for como.
Yes, we know about HAARP and it's sideways uses.

 

[athhud]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

I've got a phone book....

 

[SquarePizza]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

I mention the phone thing because it is the most obvious example of how we trust some of our important knowledge to an electronic device.

Look at NYC after Sandy, people were DESPERATE to recharge their phones... phone dies, so does the contact lists. But not everyone I know has a cell, some of my family/friends are still on land lines, which means for the most part in a natural event I could still reach them. Hell, went through an ice storm in 2003, and the wired phone was the ONLY service that I actually had.


But I digress, my basic point is that in todays world many of our sympathetic friends are separated geographically, but we get used to having the frequent contact through technology. So easy and used to it that I am sure many others are like myself in that we don't always think about having to use any means other than technology to reach them. Besides the occasional social gatherings.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

You better start making friends locally.

 

[oughtsix]

Re: Finding brothers in a post-Internet world

There's an old kenwood base station under the bed for that situation. Not sure what it will tx on... 10/11/6/2 maybe. I'm unlicensed, so obviously i never talk, but I listened around a while before deciding to put the thing away for a rainy day. I have some passing interest in getting the technician license, but never feel like dealing with it or spending the money on the license/quality gear. Maybe one day...