What would happen if suddenly we had no technology?

Question

As we grow more and more dependent on technology we lose the ability to survive without it. What will happen if we can no longer produce the materials and power required to run our techno-society. This could result from a devastating global war or simply over time as we exhaust our resources and expand our population.

Could any of you survive a nomadic existance? Could you fend for yourselves? Could you fight for your family's survival?

Please share your thoughts.

I thought that it was implied, but by technology I was referring to electrically powered technology. I could have just said computers I guess.

But imagine us after 200 years of living with computers and then losing them!

Answer 1

it would be a major shift and half the population would die as access to medication disappears.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

First, I'd like to say that this is a cool question, makes you think (that's a good thing, hehe). Second, I'd like to say that many people could survive. If we had to, people would learn real quick how to get food in the wild. Granted, many people would die, but humans as a whole would survive fine. We are smart enough to figure things out.

I must say though, that I don't think it is likely we are going to have to deal with this any time soon. As we get new technologies, we are becoming so advanced that we can "create" our own resources. Even if the natural ones disappear, we could survive.

As to myself, I would actually enjoy living without technology (if by technology you mean electricity, cars, etc.) I'm not sure if I could survive, but I think I could (I would have to try it in order to find out, which I can't do right now). Taking care of a family would be ok, as long as there wasn't really fierce competition between people, in which case there is not a whole lot I could do (I'm small).

But if you think about people that get stranded and stuff like that (think Survivor, or Castaway), they can survive. And yeah, I know those are movies, but they are the only examples I can think of that anyone will probably recognize. But people have a very strong will to survive, and I think it can overcome many things, including a lack of technology.

Answer 4

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.

According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.

Answer 5

I agree with Tycha Brahe!
Technology literally means: n. pl. tech·nol·o·gies

The application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives.
The scientific method and material used to achieve a commercial or industrial objective.
Electronic or digital products and systems considered as a group: a store specializing in office technology.
Anthropology. The body of knowledge available to a society that is of use in fashioning implements, practicing manual arts and skills, and extracting or collecting materials.

If we go by this, especially the last definition, we would only survive at the level of animals. We would not even be able to use rocks to cut flesh open, since that is also technology. Spears, bows and arrows, hammers, and even slingshots would not be able to be used, since that is technology as well. We would probably not survive if we went back to before the neolithic age, when we had technology. We would probably just go around killing small animals with our bare fists, and eating them raw, and sleeping in the ground, and so on and so forth. Keep in mind technology exists in all things, even nails, hammers, and so on and so forth. If we cannot even use the six simple machines, then humanity is doomed to eventual destruction, since humans are equipped for survival with mental capability, and not physical capability.

Answer 6

Define technology.

Matches are technology. Flint and steel are technology. Needles are technology. The wheel is technology. Even stone age societies in our modern world have spears, arrows, mortars and pestles. Heck, chimpanzees use rocks to break open nuts, and gorillas strip sticks of their bark and use them to harvest termites.

Nomads are actually quite advanced compared to the !Kung or Yanomamo. They herd animals, while these other two societies are largely hunter/gatherers.

Personally, I'd be bored out of my skull. I'm addicted to the printed word. But I was a survivalist during the 1980's, and read up things like Hienlein's Farnham's Freehold and Dean Ing's Pulling Through and the Boy Scout manual. I'd probably cope reasonably well.

Answer 7

Total world wide chaos!
What you are describing, I think, is modern day technology only....within the last say 500-600 years.
Yes, I can survive. I am well grounded in all survival skills. It was something I grew up with, hunting, fishing, trapping. I know the techniques to make my own weapons, how to catch fish for one or a whole village. I know how to build traps(deadfalls, snares,) to catch animals. I know tracking game, skinning, tanning, sewing leather to make garments, without modern needles and thread. I can build a dry shelter, permanent, or temporary. I can start a fire without any tools. I know herbal medicine. I can do whatever it takes for myself and family to survive anywhere, and can/have taught others how to do the same. The list is very long, but I do not take credit for the ability. Most of it was handed down to me from my father and his father. I am Cherokee, American Indian and it is our culture.
...jj

Answer 8

If I had to I would but I'd be complaining every
day. Had a taste of the nomadic life right after
Hurricane Katrina. I was so glad to see the Power Co. show up at my house 2 weeks later. If I didn't have AC then I would migrate up North so I could stay cool. I keep better in cold weather.

Answer 9

Highly doubtful. We are housepets.
We dont know when to plant how deep to plant how to harvest the bit that needs harvesting and how to preserve it.
Cannibalism would be for a time and then mankind would exist only in the primitive tribes of South American jungle and elsewhere. Stone age peoples would be the best equipped.

Answer 10

we have to make sure

this never hapens:)


tech is our god:)

withouth it wwe are jugle monkeys