# New York nuked. How do I survive? (Warning: grim topic) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 10, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099 "2003-02-10T14:42:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tsunamisurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/41 "2003-02-11T01:08:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duckster \* > **There will be nothing to withdraw. Banks don’t have money. They have electronic ledgers! They don’t have gold either!** > > I will venture _any_ nuclear detontation in the first world will cause global economic chaos. Unless you have sufficient daily resources available to you now, along with an ability to use your hands, bartering will be the accepted currency. > > Money will be a waste, except currency can be good kindling and coins might barter, but not at face value. \*\* _WHOOOOOOOSH!!!_ (irony) ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/42 "2003-02-11T01:24:48Z")
I wanna be in a place that when the friggin thing goes off, I can say ‘what was that…?’ ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/43 "2003-02-11T01:37:36Z")
I’m back. I remember when I was six and the way to survive a nuclear attack was to get under your desk and cover your head. I believed for years that that would work. Now, however, being an adult with half a brain, I think the solution is to bend over, put your head between your legs, and kiss your ass goodby. ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/44 "2003-02-11T01:50:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saxman \* > \*\*If Los Angeles were nuked, say downtown, would the local mini-mountain ranges offer any protection to denizens of the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys? \*\* Yes! Mountains really do deflect shockwaves and block radiation. Except for fallout. Of course, with the LAPD gone you’ll all be target practice for the drive by lowriders swarming in to take your women and food. Then there are the earthquakes. But if LA was rendered unlivable, would that really change anything? ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/45 "2003-02-11T01:53:20Z")
**duckster** , are you watching The Postman, Mad Max or Waterworld right now? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/46 "2003-02-11T03:22:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stockton \* > **duckster** , are you watching The Postman, Mad Max or Waterworld right now? 🙂 No. 🙂 It just makes sense that if the financial center of the planet is hit by a nuclear detonation, the politcal, economic and social ramifications will be devastating. After all, look at what just four jet aircraft did back on 9/11. Take a look at - [Introduction](http://www.atomicarchive.com/Example/Example1.shtml) - [http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclear-civil-02e.html](http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclear-civil-02e.html) - [http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/338/18/1326-a](http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/338/18/1326-a) - [http://www.psr.org/consequences.htm](http://www.psr.org/consequences.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/47 "2003-02-11T03:38:16Z")
I am roughly 61 miles away from Ground Zero. My drug store is selling that Iodine. I wasin today, for my son’s meds. I asked. They are selling A LOT OF IT. What a world we are living in. What a world… Being intimately involved in the September 11th attacks were evil enough. I can not wrap my head around what our world will be, if even a so-called ‘Dirty Bomb’ is set off in NYC. Makes me wonder if the word Civilization is apt. ☹ Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/48 "2003-02-12T16:43:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\* It was a grim reminder we live in an unsafe world. Mrs. Phlosphr and I are seriously thinking about relocating the AZ or NH. \*\* This is just spooky. Just this morning, my husband and I were talking about what we would do if DC was nuked. (We live in Centreville, VA–we moved to VA from AZ) We decided that [not right that second, but as soon as we could] we’d drive to New Hampshire, and then work out how to get to AZ. My family has a summer cottage in NH that we could stay at, and who the hell would bomb NH? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/49 "2003-02-12T18:03:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saxman \* > \*\*If Los Angeles were nuked, say downtown, would the local mini-mountain ranges offer any protection to denizens of the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys? \*\* Yes. ltfire: > [@](#): > > I’m back. I remember when I was six and the way to survive a nuclear attack was to get under your desk and cover your head. I believed for years that that would work. Now, however, being an adult with half a brain, I think the solution is to bend over, put your head between your legs, and kiss your ass goodby. A nuclear bomb going off will not destroy civilization. Two went off in Japan and they rebuilt their country. We’re not so concerned in this thread about WOPR’s favourite video game - we’re talking about a terrorist attack with a nuke. One bomb. That’s not going to wipe out life as we know it. And believe it or not there’s wisdom in “duck and cover.” If it goes off right above you, you’re going to be dust, no matter what, but if the bomb goes off at a distance your concerns are the flash, the shockwave, and the gale-force wind - staying low will protect you from those. Especially the flash. I’d rather have a building fall on me than have my clothes set on fire and my skin flash-roasted. If you’re within a certain radius of a bomb you’re dead anyway, but if you just happen to be within the danger radius, don’t give up. Stay calm, take the right precautions, and get away from it. You can keep yourself and your family alive if you’re smart. (First person to get the movie reference gets five RickJay Points.) ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/50 "2003-02-12T18:09:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\* We’re not so concerned in this thread about WOPR’s favourite video game - > > (First person to get the movie reference gets five RickJay Points.) \*\* War Games. What can I do with those five RickJay points? Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![superfreakicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@superfreakicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superfreakicus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/51 "2003-02-12T18:14:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Carnage \* > \*\*Nuclear irradiated NYC …or move to New Jersey… > That IS a tough decision, isn’t it? \*\* they say that those who escape to NJ will envy the dead… ---
**Author:** ![something\_clever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@something\_clever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/something_clever)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/52 "2003-02-12T18:19:05Z")
tic tac toe 🙂 i live in a suburb of dallas, i wouldnt be worried, other than the fact that im near raytheon which is a huge huge defense contractor … its only 5 or 6 miles away if that. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/53 "2003-02-12T19:15:54Z")
RickJay quote I’d rather have a building fall on me than have my clothes set on fire and my skin flash-roasted. Been there, done that. People with me experienced the first part. I survived the second part. You don’t want any part of it, believe me. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/54 "2003-02-12T19:17:19Z")
Well this is a nice thread. I work 3 blocks from ground zero, so I won’t even have time to utter a “Zeppelin rules!” before I burst into ash. Man that sucks. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/55 "2003-02-12T19:37:53Z")
“New York nuked. How do I survive? (Warning: grim topic)” Given what you’ve heard, and what the world is likely to be like after the event, are you very sure that you would even WANT to survive? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/56 "2003-02-12T20:27:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by plnnr \* > \*\*Given what you’ve heard, and what the world is likely to be like after the event, are you very sure that you would even WANT to survive? \*\* We’re not talking about Armageddon here. Just one city severely damaged. An absolutely horrible thing to even consider to be sure but not the end of the world either. The consequences might likewise be grim but it’s not a foregone conclusion that the End[sup]tm[/sup] has arrived. Always have faith (or optimism or hope or pick your word). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/57 "2003-02-12T21:10:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > \*\*War Games. > > What can I do with those five RickJay points? > \*\* Correct! I don’t know what you do with the points yet. But so far, you’re winning. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/58 "2003-02-12T21:19:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\*Correct! > > I don’t know what you do with the points yet. But so far, you’re winning. \*\* Ok but that’s only because **Zev** beat me to it! For bonus points do you (or anyone) know what ‘W.O.P.R.’ stands for? I do so I guess I have to bow out but I’ll add another 5 points to the game for a correct answer. (Sorry of the hijack but this thread could use a little lightening up IMO!) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/59 "2003-02-12T21:22:09Z")
. . . But would you even _want_ to live in a world without **me, Ukelele Ike, Oxymoron, Billdo, Zev**. . . ? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099/60 "2003-02-12T21:58:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*. . . But would you even _want_ to live in a world without **me, Ukelele Ike, Oxymoron, Billdo, Zev**. . . ? \*\* Is this an all or nothing proposition or can I pick and choose? 😉 Just kidding… No question it would take the cake for most hideous thing this planet has seen to date beating out such wonders as the fire bombings of Dresden and Tokyo and probably beats Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together. Bad, bad stuff. Still not the end of the world though unless Dubya hauls off and starts flinging nukes liberally (no pun intended) in response. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-nuked-how-do-i-survive-warning-grim-topic/154099.md?page=4)