Editor’s note: We are so reliant on the power grid, it would be disastrous to lose electricity even for a few days. Looking at how much we depend on electricity may help us better prepare for a long term power outage.
Written by Scott Matthews
Electricity is one of the greatest inventions ever, without which we’d barely survive today’s times. We’re living in a world in which almost everything is functioning on electricity, an aspect that made us dependent on it. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without it. My whole house is based on electricity, even the cooker. I won’t be able to take a warm shower, to eat a warm meal, not even to work, to listen to music, and I will most probably get bored to death.
It’s too painful to imagine how my life would be without it (that if you can call it life). Nevertheless, if we start living without electricity even for a few days, we’ll come to realize several things, like the huge benefits that come with it. So, with no further ado, let’s have a look at seven things you’ll realize after living without electricity.
1. Electricity is a Luxury
Nowadays, electricity is a luxury that everyone can afford, but this doesn’t make it any less of a luxury. If out of the sudden all the electricity in the world would be turned off, we would go three centuries back in a blink of an eye.
I think that it will be even worse than how things were back in 1801, as back then, people knew how to style their hair without electronic items, not to mention the necessity of providing food for themselves and their families. So, we’re all living like kings thanks to electricity. We no longer have to think in terms of survival, but rather in terms of wealth.
2. We’re Too Dependent on Our Appliances
Taking a look in my kitchen, I can number 7 different appliances that require electricity, tools which I use on a daily basis – from microwave, toaster, and coffee machine to blenders and mixers. Honestly, I don’t think I could make it through the day without any of these appliances, not to mention cooking without using power. Great time-saving inventions these appliances are.
3. Climate Control is Gold
Just imagine a cold, really cold winter day. Imagine what it would be like if the power turns off and there’s no fireplace to save the situation (as you probably live in an electricity-based apartment). In moments like that, you’ll realize that climate control is gold, and there’s no question about it. Most of us don’t appreciate these little things in our life, and yet some of us won’t survive a day without them.
4. Refrigerators are a Great Invention
Today, we store most of the food in refrigerators and freezers, as this is the best way to preserve the food for the future days. Now, without electricity, these tools become truly useless. With no other way to store the food long-term, we must cook almost on a daily basis, but luckily, we can turn back to the old fashion ways of preserving the food, even if it takes away much more of our time.
5. Computers and Smartphones are Awesome
We’re living in the Wi-Fi internet and satellite communication era. Without power, though the present times, we’d have to go back to sending letters to keep in touch across the border. All our smartphones, tablets, and laptops will be useless without the possibility to recharge them. Just imagine having to find out any piece of information from the library, the place where you’ll have to perform your research. It sounds funny now that we have access to all the information we need with a simple click of a button, isn’t it?
6. Nights are Dark and Scary
As we’re not animals, we don’t have the ability to see in the dark. So, nights without power, both in your house or in the city would be really scary, especially if you can’t find a candle or a flashlight. You see, electricity solved the problem of living in the dark, the light eventually providing a feeling of safety everywhere we go.
7. No Electricity No Life
Most of our activities nowadays imply using some source of electricity no matter where we’re at. Without electricity, we can’t go to work, we can’t listen to music, and we can’t entertain ourselves with movies, social media networks, or video games. Many people are highly dependent on power for health reasons: keeping medications such as insulin cool, breathing machines, power wheelchairs, home dialysis equipment etc. So, literally, nowadays, losing electricity could be life threatening.
Conclusion
All in all, we’re living in a world that forces us to be dependent on electricity. I think that this may be the only good dependency because it provides countless benefits, makes our life easier, and solves our most challenging problems. So, here’s to electricity!
About the author:
Very true most people have never lived with out electricity even when so called camping out. You see them with generators and campers. I have done enough primitive camping and reenacting to know how to cook and get by with out electricity and it is not always that easy to do. I do not have the full skill set as did someone form the 1900’s to live that way. I was a very had life.
Hey Oldguy, Yes, living without power is rough. We tried primitive camping a few times and it was good to try off grid for a short while, it would be hard long term. That said you do develop some great skills, but I agree, it is a hard life. Thanks for the comment.