There’s a collapse in financial markets because of the bad news coming from companies about their inability to trade normally. •  The power fails, and it is mid-winter in the Northern hemisphere and mid-summer in the Southern hemisphere.
The power company’s production is controlled by innumerable computer chips, which were installed many years ago and no one knows what they do, how they work, nor dare they touch them, because the whole of the plant might come irreparably to a standstill. More personal possibilities:  •  The telephone system fails -- and you’re unable to notify anyone of your pyramiding problems.