The last post had 2 areas that I had questions about. The first one was the collapse of the communication infrastructure. Land lines and cell networks were completely knocked out because of the nature of this disaster. That would leave the Shortwave and CB airwaves the most viable forms of communication in events such as this. Shortwave would be more likely to be locked into the power grid and be subverted at that point. CB's, at least the handheld, battery powered, 40 channel models would have a more than even chance of working in an environment such as happened in NOLA (New Orleans, LA). This is something that I am sure has been thought of already, but I have not heard of any information moving into or out of NOLA in this manner. Humans are very self organizing units but they need a lot of information to do it. With the use of CBs I am guessing organization of civilians and gov't would have made some difference. There used to be many CB clubs in our area (Yakima, WA.) and I am not sure of the status of them since cellphones have become ubiquitous. But it may be something to look into as an interlocking network of CB clubs would be able to hook up with Shortwave outside the affected area and coordination efforts would be better utilized. Also the passing on of civilian lists of dead and living would be of service to those with relations in the affected areas.

The second was the future of cities in general. As we have not come to the tipping point of oil exploration, yet. (When the maximum amount of oil is found and replacement will not keep up with consumption.) My speculation is just that, speculation. But when the tipping point comes, and it will come, what will be the future of cities? Will they once again be centers of commerce and society? Will the now crumbling inner cities be renewed? Will the burbs be the new inner city ghettos?

One other thing that is tapping at the back of my brain is what happens when the cost of tranporting goods from China or the Pacific rim becomes prohibitive? Does manufacturing start breaking up into regional concerns? Do commodities in order to be affordable need to be made near (and what is near?) point of sale? Has China come to the industrialization party too late?