This guy:



Well, it just so happens that I've been renting the series, and was quite surprised with the very first episode. He goes into a long discussion of how we all live in a technology trap, and runs through a bug-out scenario. Near the end, he drops the bomb by posing the question of whether you are going to give up and die or make someone else do it..... "And what in your comfy, technology-filled life has EVER prepared you to make such a decision?"

Episode begins at the Twin Towers.

I suggest you rent it from NetFlix. Disc 1.

The rest of the series is awesome, too.

I loved that show, it was very informative and cleverly done.

A FAVORITE SERIES of mine!!!  

I got it on deteriorating vhs

I liked it too. Damn I'm getting old...

Great series... From what...? '93-'94?

Snazzy dresser too...

A favorite when first on and in repeats and the 'technology trap' episode made a lasting impression on me in (jr?) high school.  

This dates from about 1978 or so.

Probably a great influence on my preparedness outlook (well, that and my Mothers two foot lockers of canned goods and gear, which I am sure were 'bug out boxes' clear back into the sixties).

That series was the nutz.

In case anyone wishes to buy the series...

Excellent series, and the book is great too!

+1 on the book, another good book is Day the Universe Changed by Burke.

I don't remember the series, too much except the one with Quinine.  Apparently, it was called "The Long Chain".

Everyone should watch "Thunder in the Skies"

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/billotto/Connections.html

It's awesome.  My buddy bring a disc or two from his complete set over now and then and we have a few beers and watch it.

Quoted: +1 on the book, another good book is Day the Universe Changed by Burke.

Indeed. I am fortunate to have both.

It's a crying shame that the other series is $450.

Quoted: Great series... From what...? '93-'94? Snazzy dresser too...

The last time I heard or read the expression "'snazzy dresser" was probably, oh, back when Connections was still in pre-production.  I like it.  Note to self:  Start using the word "snazzy."  It's boss.

Yeah, Connections was a great show.  I'm a bit surprised at all the folks on a redneck survival forum () who enjoyed it.  I mean, it was PBS.

now if zombies started emerging from all the cars in the scene where he's standing on the interstate amoungst all the stopped cars....

Too bad this series probably wont be remastered, or it was possible to keep it updated with current technology,  it  would be pretty crazy!

I routinely use the tapes of it I got off of public television to supplement my science classes when I teach science.

One of the best TV shows ever.

I loved that series

I have the book.  Haven't seen the series since the first time it was telecast on PBS.


Vulcan94

Quoted: I have the book.  Haven't seen the series since the first time it was telecast on PBS. Vulcan94

they had it on the Science channel a few years ago but edited for commercials

Quoted: One of the best TV shows ever.

Agreed.......and here I thought I was the only one who ever watched it because I liked it...

Holy crap.....look what Google turned up....Vol 1, in entirety..

Loved that show.

Crap, here goes some more money down the drain due to you *&$*&(#s on ARFCOM.

Y'all keep finding ways to spend my money, ammo, guns, more ammo, more guns, DVDs.

It's a conspiracy I tell you.

Ahem....

CoughNetFlixCough.....

loved that show.

maybe worth buying it on dvd for sure.

didn't even know there was a book, sounds like a must have. thanks for the heads up on that.

good stuff

Loved that series, had to watch the entire thing for a class in college. I got an A in that class

never heard of it. will check it out

pg 2 pwnage too

Read Lights Out to get the survival forum touch....

I've travelled far and wide in this world of ours, and it amazes me that as recently as 100 years ago people in most parts of the world lived basically like THEIR ancestors did millennia earlier... same husbandry of animals, same illumination, means of transport, means of heating or cooling... same basic armaments and general presumptions about other peoples and their neighbors.

Since then we've come at a dizzying pace to where we literally "know" each other by made up names, chit chat for YEARS on cyberspaces like this one, exchange meaningful bits of info, values, etc. but we will most likely never meet in person and we probably will also live decades if not our whole lives in real ignorance of who lives only 3-4 houses down from us.

The anonymity of massive cities is possible to the countryside thanks to all the wonders of modern technology brought to us by electricity.

But what scares me is that our greatest glory could also be our greatest weakness... we lose electricity nationwide for just 30 days in the dead of winter and America could literally freeze to death at least across the northern half of the continent - and untold millions of others would die of starvation elsewhere (think of all those old folks in 30 storey high rises in Miami unable to go up and down 30 flights regularly...)

30 days folks... a taste of the 1890's without any other direct foreign aggression, kinetic assaults, etc. would itself be enough to wipe out half the country - indeed half the modern world would starve as we no longer have the practical know-how much less the built in tools/skills sets and arrangements to shelter, hydrate, feed, and defend ourselves without electricity.

"we" meaning 98% of the population. Those of us here could probably last 30 days without electricity without breaking much sweat. Armed to boot.

But it'd be tough in winter... water especially would be in low supply for those on city water. Our huge (by comparison) modern homes built on the forced air model with only vestigal fireplaces would be ice boxes.

When you see the types of walled fortresses that the Romans built - when they were serious - that lasted for a millennia after they were gone, undefeated by all but the largest armies until modern times... one gets a sense of awe. Then look at modern cities and 'NG armories'; we don't live in fortresses. Not that we couldn't easily build them...we just don't do it. Like the Romans, we don't have to so most don't.

But those few Roman cities that had citadels survived the barbarian invasions intact. the rest were wiped out. Rome went from 1 million inhabitants to 30,000 - as it couldn't feed it's population without a constant supply of wheat shipped in from Egypt. How long would the suburbs last if we had to walk or bike to the 'food distribution points'? Or rip up our sod to plant edible food and realized we simply can't provide for a family on 1 acre of meager land?

Following 30 days in the cold and untold millions of deaths suppose the grid was restored to now ravaged and depleted cities. Would there be enough geeks and scientists, specialists and repair people left to rebuild all the myriad of other basics of modern society - from pharma to computers, supply chains to commerce, stocks, and finance?

30 days without power in University towns would probably have more than half the students missing or gone home, professors missing or gone away...fire gutted homes and 'feral' pets and people wandering about trying to re-learn how to survive when before all they prepared themselves for was the easy life.

It's a sobering thought and it keeps me returning to the sporting goods section of stores to price check propane and tarps, water bottles and ammo, first aid and food....

JusAdBellum, I don't think that post has anything to do with "Connections," but I couldn't agree more.  As bad as the hot, humid weather must be in the south in the summer without air conditioning, I have to believe that winter in the north central states without heat would be much worse.

Now, back to the Connections thread...

Connections II and III can be seen here.

http://tv-links.co.uk/listings/9/7938

Don't know why they don't have the first which I think is the most entertaining.