What Technologies Would Survive 10 Years After a Catastrophic Event

The hypothetical scenario of nearly all humans on Earth suddenly dying raises intriguing questions about the long-term survivability of various technologies. In this article, we explore the factors that could influence the functionality of different technological systems over the next decade.

Infrastructure and Utilities

Many technologies remain functional even after a catastrophic event, but their survival depends on several key factors such as automation, maintenance, and power supply. Let's break down the various systems and how they might fare:

Power Plants

Depending on their type, some power plantssuch as nuclear or hydroelectriccould continue to operate for a period of time, particularly if they are automated. However, without human oversight, these systems may face operational failures, especially nuclear plants, which require regular maintenance and cooling. Non-automated systems would likely cease functioning much more quickly.

Water Treatment Facilities

Water treatment facilities, though often automated, would eventually fail without human intervention, leading to significant water quality issues. Maintaining these facilities requires regular supervision and maintenance, which would become impossible in a post-apocalyptic scenario.

Roads and Bridges

Physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, would remain intact but would degrade over time without maintenance. The absence of human intervention would lead to neglect and eventual structural failure, impacting transportation networks and access to resources.

Transportation

Vehicles, including cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles, would still function for a period if they have fuel. However, without routine maintenance, their condition would deteriorate over time, and fuel supplies would diminish. Similarly, aviation would face challenges as commercial aircraft would remain intact at airports, but would ultimately require maintenance and fuel, which would not be readily available. This highlights the critical role of maintenance and fuel supply in keeping transportation systems operational.

Communication Technologies

Communication technologies are another area where functionality declines due to the lack of human involvement:

Radio Transmitters

Shortwave radios could still operate, transmitting signals, but without a human operator to manage them, these systems would eventually stop functioning. The human touch is crucial for optimal operation, and the loss of this oversight would lead to degraded performance.

Satellite Communication

Satellites would continue to function in orbit, but ground stations require human operation to maintain communication capabilities. The loss of human management would lead to disruptions in satellite communication, impacting a wide range of services.

Computers and Networks

The digital infrastructure of society also faces significant challenges:

Data Centers

Data centers, if powered, could function for a limited time, hosting data and applications. However, without cooling and maintenance, these systems would eventually fail. Even with power, the inability to maintain the data centers would lead to degraded performance and eventual failure.

Personal Devices

Personal devices, such as smartphones and laptops, would work as long as they have power. However, battery life and storage would limit their usability over time. After a decade, these devices would either be out of service or inoperable due to power concerns and degraded components.

Automated Systems

Automated systems, including robotic systems, would also play a crucial role in the short-term survival of various functions. However, they face limitations:

Robotic Systems

Industrial robots and drones could continue to operate for a limited time, performing their programmed tasks until they run out of power or encounter mechanical failures. These systems are designed to function autonomously within specific operational parameters, but their long-term success depends on sustained power supply and regular maintenance.

Scientific Instruments

Scientific instruments, such as telescopes and laboratory equipment, would encounter similar challenges:

Telescopes

Ground-based telescopes would remain operational but would require human oversight for optimal functioning. The absence of human intervention would lead to reduced efficiency and accuracy in data collection.

Laboratory Equipment

Some laboratory equipment could function but would require regular maintenance and calibration. Without this maintenance, instruments might produce inaccurate or unreliable data, impacting scientific research and development efforts.

Natural Environment

While not a technological system, the natural world would continue to function independently. Any technology that interacts with the natural environment, such as agricultural systems, would eventually fail without human care. This highlights the interdependence of human and technological systems in maintaining the integrity of the environment.

Conclusion

While many technologies would still be operational ten years after a catastrophic event leading to the death of nearly all humans, their functionality would decline over time due to the lack of maintenance, power supply issues, and degradation of materials. Automated systems and robust infrastructure would last longer than more complex human-dependent technologies. The resilience of these systems underscores the importance of preparedness and redundancy in modern technological design.