Active Now

Element 99
Discussion » Questions » Computers and the Internet » What kinds of things or phenomena could break the internet?
inky

What kinds of things or phenomena could break the internet?

Posted - December 16, 2020
Tags : None

Responses


  • 44649
      December 16, 2020 7:43 PM MST
    5

  • 4624
    Yep - that 'd do it! :)
      December 19, 2020 12:28 PM MST
    2

  • 13395
    Mice and rats probably could but I don't think it will ever happen though.
      December 17, 2020 12:07 AM MST
    3

  • 4624
    By chewing the cables to make their nests?
    Wow! I wonder what event would permit them to multiply to that degree world wide...
      December 17, 2020 1:21 PM MST
    3

  • 53524

     

    (world wide worldwide)
    One word, not two.

      November 15, 2022 9:12 PM MST
    1

  • 1893
    Define Break the Internet, your question is too nebulous.

    1.  If break equals shut it down, Government Fiat to shut it down look to China for an example

    2.  If make it go away either permanently or temporaily

    2a.  Natural disaster
    2b.  Fall of civilization
    2c,  Randy getting fed a Vegimite Sandwich
      December 17, 2020 1:38 AM MST
    3

  • 4624
    It's meant to be nebulous to allow maximum latitude for interpretation -
    thus to generate more creativity and a wider range of discussions.

    Yes - I think a shutdown to hack for Chinese spy trojans is plausible. Though I'm not sure the Western world could cope with even one day's shutdown. It seems to me that the level to which we have become dependent on the net is near total.

    Natural disaster - that could occur with global warming. If it reaches 6ºC, which is feasible according to the worst case scenarios based on no worldwide action to reduce emissions, then the extreme weather events could bring down electricity lines and destroy generators. 

    Fall of civilization could occur at 5ºC due to inability to rapidly adapt to changing agricultural conditions - worldwide starvation.

    Oh, yes! Randy could manage it single-handedly in one apoplectic Vegemite fit. (Apologies, Randy.)
      December 17, 2020 1:15 PM MST
    4

  • 44649
    I like my simpleton answer. No need for words and such.
      December 17, 2020 7:36 PM MST
    2

  • 4624
    Not simpleton at all.
    An asteroid as large as that could hit Earth and everything would be over.
      December 19, 2020 12:30 PM MST
    3

  • 44649
    Yes...the internet would be irrelevant.
      December 19, 2020 1:39 PM MST
    3

  • 1893
    Inky I still live in the Real World since I am not retired or living Stateside.  I do apologize if I interrupted the thread.  This is my escape from the Twins & real life
      December 18, 2020 9:47 PM MST
    3

  • 4624
    No, you didn't interrupt the thread at all.
    I loved your answer.

    I know nothing about the Twins or your life, but I'm glad you have a few ways to escape when you need it.
      December 19, 2020 12:27 PM MST
    2

  • 44649
    Nebulous...I used that word appropriately when asking the professor a question. Some of the other students chuckled. Odd, that.
      December 19, 2020 1:41 PM MST
    3

  • 4624
    Was the professor being cloudy or vague about something?
    What subject was he/she teaching?

    Were you using the word as a pun?
      December 19, 2020 4:53 PM MST
    3

  • 44649
    I cannot remember the subject, but what he was discussing was 'cloudy'. He did agree with me, though. it was 35 years ago.
      December 19, 2020 8:44 PM MST
    1

  • 53524
      November 15, 2022 9:13 PM MST
    1

  • 11151
    A million or so electromagnetic pulse bombs that were placed all around the World and all set off at the same time. Cheers!
      December 17, 2020 3:42 PM MST
    1

  • 7795
    Settle down there super villain. This post was edited by Zack at November 15, 2022 9:22 PM MST
      December 17, 2020 4:11 PM MST
    4

  • 11151
    No way soon I will calling all of my silicone bassed life forms to help me take over the World, Cheers!
      December 17, 2020 4:34 PM MST
    2

  • 4624
    Yep.
    I reckon terrorists could organise that.
      December 19, 2020 12:31 PM MST
    3

  • 423
    If things went horribly wrong at CERN causing some unfortunate fellow-contractor to be thrown back in time to when Tim Berners-Lee was about to start work on the precursor system. Tim was then attacked by the interloper in a fit of rage and frustration, and died without regaining consciousness, and without his plan reaching fruition.
      December 18, 2020 8:36 PM MST
    4

  • 4624
    Awarded best pick for originality. 
    Thanks! :)
      December 19, 2020 12:32 PM MST
    3

  • 44649
    Nice.
      December 19, 2020 1:42 PM MST
    2

  • 53524

     

      The overwhelming abundance of poor grammar is leading it in that direction. Grrrrrrr.






    ~

      November 15, 2022 9:25 PM MST
    0