What technology will survive the coming collapse of civilization?

russotto · 12-29-2004, 03:13 PM

You couldn't predict WWII in 1920 because one major factor hadn't really appeared on the scene yet -- Adolf Hitler.

I think the Civil War and the _attempt_ at an American Revolution could have been predicted. The presence of troops to crush such a revolt is pretty good evidence that it WAS predicted. The idea that it would succeed is another matter.

wolf: I don't think fulminate of mercury (and thus percussion caps and primers) are out of reach for a backyard chemist. Even smokeles powder isn't (nitric and sulfuric acids were known to the ancients, I believe -- certainly in medieval times. And the sulfuric isn't strictly necessary), though of course black powder is easier and safer to make.

12-29-2004, 03:13 PM	#8
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	You couldn't predict WWII in 1920 because one major factor hadn't really appeared on the scene yet -- Adolf Hitler. I think the Civil War and the _attempt_ at an American Revolution could have been predicted. The presence of troops to crush such a revolt is pretty good evidence that it WAS predicted. The idea that it would succeed is another matter. wolf: I don't think fulminate of mercury (and thus percussion caps and primers) are out of reach for a backyard chemist. Even smokeles powder isn't (nitric and sulfuric acids were known to the ancients, I believe -- certainly in medieval times. And the sulfuric isn't strictly necessary), though of course black powder is easier and safer to make.

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