Will tech really die?

[Scythe13]

We heard loads and loads about how technology will collapse and everything will go to boot! The power grid shuts down, and the world goes into chaos.

There was even a short documentary style fiction video a year or so ago. I think it was called Blackout.

The simplest question is, in a scenario based on a total power grid shutdown, I'd like to get an idea of what kinds of things people really think will stop working within the first day, week, month, year, 5 years, and then 25 years.

Think of it as an exercise in "What will really shut down and stop working".

Here's a clue, my car will still drive, and will thus be able to charge my phone and charge batteries…and even my laptop. The genny will still work. Solar panels will still work. Batteries will still work. The solar battery-charger will still work. A simple waterwheel wired up to an alternator or 2 (alternators need a charge before they can start charging….thank goodness for batteries hu? Oh, and as I've already said, they'll still work). Electrical windmills will still work.

Granted things like fuel pumps will stop working, but it won't be long until someone fits up a hand crank pump or even a fuel powered pump to start kicking up fuel. Look at the resourcefulness of places like Thailand and Vietnam. Granted they're not 5* vehicles, but they manage to generate power out in the middle of nowhere, and maintain it.

So, if there was a total grid shutdown scenario, what things would still work fine, and what adjustments would people be able to make to ease the stresses of the situation?