The iPhone 6S Thought Experiment: A Reset for Humanity?
This blog post was automatically generated (and translated). It is based on the following original, which I selected for publication on this blog:
The iPhone Thought Experiment — Wait But Why.
Imagine a scenario: a witch removes all man-made objects, returning Earth to its pre-human state. Humanity, armed with current knowledge, receives a challenge: recreate a fully functional iPhone 6S to reverse the spell.
The Immediate Challenges
The immediate aftermath would be catastrophic. Access to fresh water becomes a desperate scramble. Modern reliance on manufactured reservoirs and pumping systems means many would face dehydration. Food scarcity would exacerbate the crisis as modern humans lack the necessary hunting, gathering, and farming skills. The ability to produce a sustainable system of farming would dictate any progress towards technological advancement.
The Manufacturing Maze
The challenge of recreating an iPhone 6S is immense. It requires a vast array of raw materials sourced globally from underground mines. The knowledge of these materials' locations and extraction methods is not universally held, and the necessary mining equipment is absent. Transporting materials across oceans presents a further obstacle.
Manufacturing the phone demands precision. The assembly of transistors, the coding of operating software, and the creation of other intricate components require specialized equipment and expertise, all of which are currently unavailable. Much of the information needed exists only within computers and machines that no longer exist.
Cooperation and Conflict
The absence of established leadership and communication systems would hinder coordinated efforts. The struggle for survival could lead to conflict as individuals prioritize their own needs. Some may even actively sabotage attempts to rebuild civilization.
Time Estimate
Given these challenges, estimating the time required to recreate an iPhone 6S is difficult. It could take centuries, necessitating the complete rebuilding of civilization and the re-establishment of global infrastructure. However, mass cooperation and the rapid development of sustainable farming practices could potentially accelerate the process.
Is such a feat even possible? Which path would humanity take in such a scenario? How long would it truly take to rebuild a semblance of the technology we take for granted today?