Solar Storms and the Carrington Event with Ben Bradford of 'Are We Doomed?'
Summary
Host Chelsea Weber-Smith welcomes Ben Bradford of *Are We Doomed?* to discuss the 1859 Carrington Event, a massive solar storm that disrupted early telegraph systems. They explore the science behind coronal mass ejections, historical reactions, and modern risks to our power grid. The episode examines whether such celestial threats warrant panic or practical preparation in our technology-dependent society.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The Carrington Event and Show Premises
Guest Background: Are We Doomed? and Catastrophic Risks
Personal Connections: Prepper Mindset and Solar Storms
The 1859 Carrington Event: Historical Account
Science of Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections
Ad Breaks: Quince, Cozy Earth, and United Airlines
Modern Impacts: Northern Lights and the 1989 Quebec Blackout
Historical Analysis: Newspaper Archives and Aurora Mapping
Ad Breaks: Quince, Cozy Earth, and United Airlines
Cultural Context: Spiritualism and Paranormal Interpretations
Current Risks: Grid Vulnerability and Mitigation Strategies
Infrastructure Challenges: Cost and Retrofitting the Grid
Conclusion: Optimism, Human Agency, and Credits
Listen ad-free on Castria