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Recent Solar Flare Could Disrupt Communications

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the my-communications-have-flared-up dept.

w98 writes "CNN has reported that the 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years may disrupt communications. "Significant solar eruptions are possible in the coming days and there could be disruptions in spacecraft operations, electric power systems, high frequency communications and low-frequency navigation systems," says the article."

14 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. Excellent! by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny


    This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

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    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

    1. Re:Excellent! by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      > This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^

      Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!

  2. Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by geomon · · Score: 3, Funny

    The same process that creates Coronal Mass Ejections will finally free humanity from the constraints of energy dependency! Charles Cagle, friend to everyone on sci.physics and sci.physics.fusion has created an unlimited energy supply patterned after CMEs.

    But beware: you must never show disdain for the New and Apocalypic Physics! Disbelievers will be CONSUMED by the fires of the sun in a mighty CME that will lay waste to those who do not follow Brother Charley!

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
    1. Re:Get Ready For Apocalyptic Physics! by ErikTheRed · · Score: 3, Funny

      Oh come on! You know that major solar events like this are a direct result of the Bush Administrations callous disregard for the environment! They want more global warming so that they can pass emergency measures to further reduce the Bill of Rights and enslave America! Haliburton! Haliburton!

      --

      Help save the critically endangered Blue Iguana
  3. A comunitcations disruption can mean... by Anonymous+Crowhead · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...only one thing - invasion.

  4. It looks like a bad one... by winkydink · · Score: 3, Funny

    from the looks of the picture on CNN's site, we're well and truly screwed.

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    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  5. Great... by kaellinn18 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cue a bunch of slashdot posts with people getting cut off in the mid...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

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    This isn't the sig you're looking for. Move along.
    1. Re:Great... by GweeDo · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why do you always assume people will post that? Some of us have oth...##KR2F@F@$F$ {NO CARRIER}

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      Unstable Apps: Our Android Apps Don't Suck
  6. I'm impressed by Neurotoxic666 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Power outage? Communication disruption? On CNN?

    Hey, I'm surprised they haven't used the T word yet =)

    --
    You are more than the sum of what you consume. Desire is not an occupation.
  7. Re: 4th largest solar flare in the last 15 years by TaleSpinner · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damn that global warming! Now it's screwing up the sun!

  8. lol by Idealius · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who are the jedi?

    The looters?

    1. Re:lol by Tackhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      > > > > This ought to provide a good excuse for various network problems for a few weeks.... ^_^
      > > Attention, troops stationed in New Orleans. Execute Order 66!
      >
      > Who are the jedi?
      > The looters?

      "Yes, Lord! We need reinforcements, it's like a scene from Star Wars Galaxies down there!"
      - NL-421

      Seriously, I hate to duck a BOFH reference, but you know someone's gonna try and work the communications disruptions into a Katrina conspiracy theory... or use the expected communications disruptions as cover for a real conspiracy... or perhaps Karl Rove has a machine that can cause a solar flare, which is what he's using to disrupt communications as part of the metaconspiracy. Or all three, because making up non-falsifiable hypotheses is fun!

      And on that point, I can only say "Ha Ha, Only Serious". The reason conspiracy theories have "legs" is precisely because looking for conspiracies (real or imaginary) is fun. Our brains evolved in an environment where the ability to outguess our fellow primate band members was an extremely useful survival trait. So not only is inventing conspiracy theories fun, it's fun for a very good reason.

      So trust the Computer. The Computer is your Friend. Because it's not paranoia when they really are out to get you. (Confused yet? Good!)

  9. Here we go again by Ryosen · · Score: 3, Funny

    In related news, oil jumped $5.50 a barrel today on speculation that the disruption to cell phones, caused by the flairs, would prevent people from checking GasBuddy.com as they drive around town looking for who has the cheapest gas. Congress is expected to wave its arms in helpless frustration, shouting out "Oh, look, An Eagle!"

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    Ryosen
    One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
  10. It's more like this by robyannetta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
    Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
    Ray: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff.
    Venkman: Exactly.
    Ray: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling.
    Egon: Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes...
    Winston: The dead rising from the grave.
    Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!

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    - Just my $0.02, take with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary.