Wow! This article really makes you stop to think about the threat that is still out there. Before September 11, 2001, I never really thought too much about terrorism. I had heard stories of how there were drills in case the nuclear bomb hit, but never really thought that was a possible threat today with all of our intelligence and weapons. I can not wrap my mind around how easy the article made it sound to purchase a scud missile and detonate it over the United States, or any country for that matter. To think that Electrical impulses could wipe out our transformers and basically paralyze us for months or years is frightening.
I really stopped and thought about how much I use technology and electricity in my life. This past Saturday, there was a small storm in La Vergne and my power went out. It was late, I was up texting a friend, so I just laughed and continued on with what I was doing. My friend unfortunately was locked out of her house because her kids had the house keys and her garage door wouldn't open. She had church and work the next day so she was freaking out. She came over we set our alarms on our cell phones and went to bed. Without transformers and power though, we would not have even been able to set our cell phone alarms. My parents were in Missouri two winters ago when there was a huge ice storm and they had no power for ten days. They made it to the store to buy the last of the batteries and used them for their battery powered radio and TV to keep up on weather and conditions. They had to eat what was in the refrigerator and burned wood to stay warm. It was scary for me to think of my parents without food, heat, or a way to communicate. They only had cell phones and cordless phones. They really needed to conserve their supplies. Ten days seemed like an eternity to them and to me. I can not even imagine months or years.
As a librarian, I have valuable information for my patrons. Libraries have some of the references and books to help people study the ways of other cultures and the life and times of the 1800's. We are aware of this threat and we can do some things to prepare now. Right now we have Internet access and the use of our catalogs, but if we wait we could be without both. If we do not prepare, we would still have the ability to gather our sources and help educate our patrons. It would take time to adjust to such a change, but once the initial panic was over we could learn to survive.
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2 comments:
This article presents two points of fear. One point is that it could happen. Another point is the panic it would create. If we make it through the panic part, should an event such as this take place, as librarians we will have resources. I agree that we should be looking at what steps were taken in librarys and life in the 1800's in order for them to survive. Those would be great to have ready to share with our patrons. What a scary world this is!
In gathering my thoughts for a response to this article, I found it hard to get past the panic of the drastic change we would face should our country be attacked.
I agree with you that our best course of action is to prepair and create a plan (or plans)that could be used in light of all possible outcomes. Hopefully these plans will never have to be used, but having them there a great course of action.
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