National Geographic Explorer Season 6 Episode 12 Electronic Armageddon
- TV-PG
- June 15, 2010
- 50 min
In season 6 of National Geographic Explorer, episode 12, titled "Electronic Armageddon," viewers are taken on a deep dive into the potential for a global technological disaster. The episode explores the immense reliance of modern society on a complex web of technology, and the devastating effects that an electronic meltdown could have on our way of life. From power grids and transportation networks to communication systems and healthcare, we are shown just how vulnerable these vital technologies are to attack, sabotage, or plain old malfunction.
Through interviews with experts in the fields of science, engineering, and cybersecurity, as well as with government officials and private sector leaders, the episode paints a vivid picture of what could happen in the event of a major technological failure. We learn about the various types of electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) that could disrupt or damage electronics on a massive scale, as well as the potential for hackers, terrorists, or other malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure. We see how the massive data breaches that have become all-too-common in recent years are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the dangers posed by our reliance on technology.
Despite the dire warnings, however, the episode also offers hope. We see how organizations from NASA to the U.S. military are working to develop new technologies that are more resilient and less vulnerable to external threats, and we learn about the steps that individuals and families can take to prepare for a worst-case scenario. In the end, we are left with a sobering but ultimately inspiring message: that while the risks of a technological disaster are real, we have the tools and the knowledge to protect ourselves and our way of life.