The Big Story
How a massive solar storm could fry our entire grid artwork

How a massive solar storm could fry our entire grid

The Big Story
E93819:13
Play episode

Show notes

Depending on your mood, it sounds either terrifying, or like a sweet release from modernity. But solar storms hit the Earth all the time, and it's only a matter of time until a truly gigantic one fries us—it's happened before, and will again. We're more reliant on electricity and connectivity than ever before, obviously, and we don't know how the grid will handle the power of such a storm—but we know it won't be good. The problem is, we can't test for it without, well, turning it all off and then back on again. Maybe we should do that? GUEST: Christopher Mims, technology columnist, The Wall Street Journal We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More from this show

More
  1. Big Headlines: Canada's set to unveil a new $20 bill featuring the King and an Alberta Sheriffs officer won't be charged over AI-generated sexual images of women

    Plus: the Carney government is making a landmark investment in manufacturing today, the NBA hands down severe punishments to the Clippers in the Kawhi Leonard investigation, femini…

    E201707:40
  2. How Trump is dominating Quebec's election campaign

    While many of us have been turning our eyes to Canada's west, or south of the border, Quebec began a high stakes provincial election last week. At a time where Canadian unity has…

    E201618:16
  3. Big Headlines: Carney scolds American officials for not taking Canada seriously and the RCMP are investigating B.C.'s Conservatives

    Plus: Quebec switches its paper ballots to French only for upcoming elections, a man is arrested on charges of causing around $100,000 in damage to Edmonton transit infrastructure,…

    E201507:13
  4. The unraveling of the BC Conservatives

    Things are not going well for the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's win as leader earlier this summer after the ousting of John Rustad, there…

    E201024:06
  5. Big Headlines: Carney's Liberals sweep a trio of byelections and Marineland ships out its last whales

    Plus: The CBC is barred from attending the Republican Party’s midterm convention, international school trips across Canada are cancelled or tweaked amid a changing landscape, praye…

    E201406:54
  6. What should we know about Mitch McConnell's whereabouts?

    US Senator Mitch McConnell hasn't been seen by the public in some 12 weeks. His last in-person sighting was in Washington, D.C. on June 11, before posting a proof-of-life picture f…

    E200223:12
Now Playing
How a massive solar storm could fry our entire grid — The Big Story | Josplay Music