Could the internet ever be switched off – or destroyed?

Quote: AZDuffman

...And how would I call the phone company to connect my landline?

Carrier pigeon. hehe

I don't think it would take years to adjust. There's plenty of folks in the world, including North America, that live "off the grid". I think things would be moving along pretty well in a few months using old school modems and the existing land lines. Humans are resilient and resourceful. Radio Shack would suddenly be the king of commerce.

Well, either that, or it would be time to get out of town:
image from misterw.com

Quote: Ayecarumba

I don't think it would take years to adjust. There's plenty of folks in the world, including North America, that live "off the grid". I think things would be moving along pretty well in a few months using old school modems and the existing land lines. Humans are resilient and resourceful. Radio Shack would suddenly be the king of commerce.

Oh ye of faith in human nature!

Within a week of an internet crash the grocery store shelves would be bare. Then the riots would happen. Those of us who store ahead would hunker down. The masses would be on the streets, burning and looting what was left. It would be a collapse.