The Fragility of Civilization: Real-World Parallels to Leave the World Behind in America and Canada

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• Film Event: A cyberattack allegedly perpetrated by the IRGC cripples infrastructure across the U.S., accompanied by pamphlets stating “Death to America.”
• Real-World Parallel: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020 led to heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S., and fears of cyber retaliation. Iranian hackers were tied to several attempts on U.S. infrastructure, and while a full-scale attack like the one in the film didn’t materialize, cyber threats from state actors like Iran, Russia, and China became more prominent. The increasing vulnerability of U.S. critical infrastructure to cyberattacks has been repeatedly demonstrated, such as with the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021. In more recent times, Canada too faces chants of “Death to Canada”.

• Film Event: The collapse of social order sees deepening divisions along religious lines.
• Real-World Parallel: From 2020 to 2024, over 100 Christian churches were burned in Canada. Synagogues faced a sharp rise in anti-Semitic attacks, particularly in the U.S. The rise of hate crimes against religious groups mirrors the film’s portrayal of societal breakdown leading to intensified religious and ethnic tensions.

• Film Event: Tesla’s autonomous transport system fails, leaving people stranded.
• Real-World Parallel: Tesla has faced numerous issues with its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems, including fatal crashes and large-scale software recalls in 2023. These problems highlight the vulnerabilities of relying on advanced technology for critical infrastructure, just as in the film when technological systems break down en masse.

• Film Event: Planes are grounded due to catastrophic system failures, halting international travel.
• Real-World Parallel: The grounding of Boeing 737 MAX jets after two deadly crashes in 2019 was a stark reminder of how dependent international travel is on safe aviation systems. Combined with the near-total shutdown of air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation industry’s fragility was laid bare, much like the film’s depiction of grounded flights.

• Film Event: Communication systems fail, leaving the public isolated and without critical information.
• Real-World Parallel: The Texas power grid collapse in 2021, during a severe winter storm, cut millions off from power, heat, and communication. This was exacerbated by widespread misinformation, as citizens were left without reliable information from government authorities. Similar disruptions occurred during ransomware attacks, like the Colonial Pipeline hack, which left people panicked and uninformed.

• Film Event: Supply chains collapse, leading to food and medicine shortages, as global shipping halts.
• Real-World Parallel: The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted global supply chains, leading to shortages of food, medical supplies, and critical goods. The Suez Canal blockage in 2021 also demonstrated the delicate balance of international shipping. Many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, struggled with supply shortages, mirroring the film’s depiction of a halted global economy.
• In March 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a critical component of Interstate 695 and a key transportation artery in Baltimore, was severely damaged when the cargo ship Dali collided with one of its support columns after a power failure. The collapse disrupted regional traffic and supply chains, as the bridge is crucial for both local commuters and freight movement along the East Coast. The resulting closure of the Port of Baltimore, a major shipping hub, had significant economic impacts, halting operations for nearly three months and affecting thousands of workers dependent on the port.

• Film Event: Only those who had stockpiled food, water, and medicine are prepared to survive.
• Real-World Parallel: Panic buying during the early months of the pandemic saw widespread stockpiling of essential goods, from food and water to toilet paper and medicine. Preppers and survivalists gained new visibility as many began preparing for the worst-case scenarios, similar to the film’s characters.

• Film Event: Energy grids fail, causing widespread blackouts.
• Real-World Parallel: The 2021 Texas power grid failure exposed the vulnerabilities in America’s energy infrastructure. Millions were left without electricity or heat in freezing conditions. California also experienced rolling blackouts due to wildfires, which were exacerbated by extreme weather and infrastructure issues, echoing the film’s depiction of widespread power loss.

• Film Event: Cities are destroyed or abandoned as societal order collapses.
• Real-World Parallel: The summer of 2020 saw mass protests, riots, and civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Cities like Minneapolis, Portland, and Seattle experienced significant destruction due to clashes between protesters and law enforcement. Additionally, wildfires and hurricanes wreaked havoc on urban areas. While not a total collapse as in the film, the destruction of urban centers was a stark reminder of how easily cities can become ungovernable in times of crisis.

• Film Event: As infrastructure fails, panic and civil unrest erupt.
• Real-World Parallel: The January 6th Capitol Riot in 2021 marked a significant breakdown of social and political order in the U.S. It highlighted how rapidly civil unrest could escalate. Other incidents, including the racial justice protests in 2020, further illustrated the growing instability in Western democracies, much like the film’s depiction of societal collapse.

• Film Event: With the breakdown of global trade, food and water supplies become scarce.
• Real-World Parallel: During the pandemic, food insecurity surged across both the U.S. and Canada, particularly in vulnerable communities. California’s ongoing droughts (2019-2023) highlighted growing concerns over water scarcity, with potential for long-term shortages. The war in Ukraine exacerbated global food shortages, mirroring the desperation seen in the film as supplies dwindled.

• Film Event: The breakdown of social order intensifies ethnic and religious divisions.
• Real-World Parallel: From 2020 to 2024, the U.S. and Canada saw rising tensions between various religious and cultural groups. The burning of over 100 Christian churches in Canada, increased anti-Semitic attacks, and violent protests tied to Palestinian activism are clear reflections of the film’s portrayal of religious and cultural fragmentation in the face of societal collapse.

 

 

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