From an evolutionary perspective, we fear the dark – but what happens when the lights really go out?
Since ancient times, humans have been afraid of darkness.
Today, we feel safe – surrounded by lamps, screens and electricity at the press of a button.
Our smartphones provide light, the television stays on, and the computer glows even through the night.
But all of this depends on one single condition: electricity.
A brief power cut is inconvenient.
But what happens when the power doesn’t come back after a few minutes?
When entire countries are plunged into darkness?
On 28 April 2025 at 12:32 p.m. (CEST), that is exactly what happened:
A massive blackout across the Iberian Peninsula brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill for over 12 hours.
Public power supplies collapsed completely – the largest power disruption in Europe in more than 20 years.
Trains stopped running, airports were evacuated, and supermarkets saw panic buying.
Even nuclear power plants had to switch to emergency operation.
I was there – experiencing it firsthand.
At first, I thought it was just a tripped fuse.
Then I waited for a message from the electricity provider.
But it never came.
Instead, it grew dark. First inside the flat. Then in the street. Finally, across the entire city.
Imagine being right in the middle of that darkness –
no light, no internet, no signal, no power.
Just you – and the realisation of how dependent you truly are.