Today I was reminded how much the world depends on electricity and computers.  During our unusual wind storm in May, the power went out in several areas.  As I entered Fred Meyer in Covington, the lights flickered.  They appeared to dim a bit and I figured the back-up generator came on.  It did.  Then I noticed several of the registers screens were blank.  Hmm.  Power glitch got them too.  They’ll reboot shortly, so I thought. 

I did my shopping, ten minutes worth, and arrived at the front of the store to see line after line of people waiting.  The registers had not rebooted.  I got in line and patiently waited.  After about 15 minutes several store managers and other “in charge” personnel appeared.  We were told that the server was not rebooting and the problem was being examined.  Eventually we were offered cookies and coffee while we waited.  Then we were told it could be another 30 minutes or more before the computer registers were back online.  Several people decided to leave.  I stayed. 

By now I had moved from fourth in line to the front of the now short line.  The cashier and I chatted for another 20 minutes while the computers rebooted and finally I was on my way. 

It made me think though how vulnerable the world is.  If such a minor glitch caused such havoc in making the entire store to come to a dead standstill, what would happen if it were major?  Almost everything depends on electricity and especially on computers.  If they go down then what? 

At least a few decades ago had such a thing happened, the cashiers would have easily pulled out a calculator or pen and paper and simply added up the cost of the price-tagged items.  Of course today, with everything labeled with UPC symbols, this would be a difficult, if not impossible, task.  And for all those who use debit or credit cards, how can you run these when the computers are down?  Back to good old cash or checks, which many don’t carry anymore. 

A vulnerable world?  You bet.  Will it happen again.  Absolutely!  Will the world crash someday because of our dependence on electricity and computers?  Undoubtedly.  It’s something to ponder.