Here is the million dollar question of the week: Are we too dependent on technology? And do we need to be? But are we just overgrown kids who love our toys? What would you say if someone told you that you needed to live without your computer for a week, a month, or three months? Let’s go one step further, how would you feel if you lost electricity that same week, month or three months? What would be your first thought? Running screaming with your hands on either side of your head is what we would do too. We know, we know, you think you could deal with it, but you’d probably “lose” it after a few hours without email and internet, right? Can we also ask how long we could stand to be without air?

So why do we bring this up? 2013. Let’s put aside the year 2012 for a minute, as we have no real scientific proof that the Earth is going to “disappear” and all life on it is going to die. However, 2013 is, scientifically, a very important year. It all starts with our very important planet: the Sun. Since it is quite active, from time to time the solar activity peaks and basically what happens is that the energy “explodes” sending waves of radiation and magnetic energy towards the planets. These explosions, as we understand them, come from solar flares (sunspots). Every 11 years, the number of sunspots reaches its upper limit, Y The Sun’s magnetic cycle peaks every 22 years. This time those two activities will overlap, which in turn will produce enormous levels of radiation. This could also look like a huge “lightning bolt”, which could look really amazing (it reminds us of the aurora borealis or the “northern lights”, a beautiful natural phenomenon). However, the consequences of this phenomenon may not be so charming.

According to predictions by NASA scientists, this solar activity could bring down power grids by overheating them and causing an electrical meltdown. Since flares change the Earth’s magnetic field, everything from cell phones to satellites could simply stop working. To put it another way, the Sun’s “sneeze” could affect hospital equipment, banking systems, air traffic control devices, and even iPods. Sadly all we can say at that moment is: Blessed are you! Seriously, imagine this scenario: the whole world without electricity for months. Although this is unlikely, some of the scientists sound quite pessimistic in their predictions. Once the power grids were affected, it would take some time to get them back online. Of course, not all scientists agree on how long this might last. Northern Europe and Britain will most likely be without power for hours or days, as they have weaker power grids than the US. Maybe being a “superpower” isn’t such a good thing after all. Okay, I admit it, bad joke.

So back to the original question: how dependent are we on technology? can we even to recognize our most primal instincts when they appear? Will we react appropriately? In the worst case, many of us will not be able to go to work, travel, go to the bank, etc. And what will it mean for us, as individuals? How many of us communicate more electronically with instant messages, emails, and phone/cell phone calls than face-to-face? However, there may be some bright spots in this very dark story (yes, pun intended). One positive thing, if you have a bad boss, you may not be legitimately available. The same goes for your bossy mother-in-law, nosy mother, nosy aunt, et cetera, et cetera (unless you live with one of these people, in which case our condolences). On the other hand, Internet gamers and those who live for Facebook may find themselves at the mercy of something unpleasant that we all know as BOREDOM. Maybe it’s not too late to start learning how to crochet? You know that deck of cards Grandma gave you? You may not want to put them in this year’s garage sale.

Financially, we don’t even want to think about all the damage this event could cause. Hurricane Katrina (2005) caused damage estimated at more than $125 billion; And scientists say the Sun’s “hiccups” could cost us twenty times as much!

So is there anything we can do to prevent this event? We are afraid that it will not. However, there are certain precautions that can be taken to reduce damage and therefore costs. Like sending satellites away from the (big) flares and possible radiation stream, that way power grids could be temporarily shut down to improve voltage levels and communication networks could be further protected against this type of radiation. As for us, we should not use electrical appliances during the time that the wave reaches the Earth, and unplug all appliances as it is supposed to be done in electrical storms, for example. Although personally, having to replace my stereo will be the least of my worries if this event takes place.

In any case, come what may, if this scientific prediction is correct, Will It affects us. So the best we can do is hope that our president, other world leaders and the scientific community can come up with a solution; and, perhaps most importantly, starting to get along with our families and friends, and those we live with or near, as we may soon have plenty of “together time.”