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This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of What If by Randall Munroe.
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1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of What If

Scenarios that contemplate significant changes in the environmental conditions of our planet.

Investigate the worldwide repercussions that would follow if the Earth suddenly stopped spinning and its oceans were completely drained.

Imagine a situation in which the Earth suddenly ceases to rotate.

The ensuing chaos in the atmosphere and worldwide shifts would spell catastrophe for our planet and all who dwell on it.

If the Earth were to suddenly stop spinning but the atmosphere continued moving, equatorial areas would experience devastating winds that could reach speeds as high as one thousand miles per hour. Inhabitants living within the latitudinal bounds stretching from 42 degrees north to 42 degrees south would experience winds of extreme intensity capable of demolishing buildings, even in cities known for robust architecture like Boston. Every urban area, including the northernmost city of Longyearbyen, would inevitably face consequences. Cities such as Helsinki, known for their underground amenities, might provide a form of refuge.

The wind's energy can produce heat, potentially leading to thunderous storms and resulting in the fragmentation of the ocean's surface into tiny droplets. The devastating winds would wreak havoc on the...

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What If Summary Scenarios involving extreme scientific or technological feats

In this thrilling investigation, the author delves into the potential accomplishments and obstacles associated with ambitious scientific and technological endeavors, including the creation of an extensive chart depicting the chemical elements and the conceptualization of a vehicle designed for propulsion-based travel across diverse astronomical terrains.

Constructing a sizable representation that organizes the elemental substances according to their systematic layout found within the periodic chart.

The author assesses the practicality of creating a periodic table with elements depicted in their actual proportions, taking into account the challenges and hazards associated with this bold project.

Dangers and challenges of assembling such a structure

Creating a diagram to categorize every identified element can result in multiple complications due to the hazardous characteristics intrinsic to these substances. The writer notes that setting fire to the elements in the periodic table's third tier would cause combustion, while those in the next tier would emit toxic gases, and initiating a reaction in the sixth tier could lead to an explosive event comparable to a subdued...

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What If Summary Explorations that encompass aspects of human health and physiology

Exploring hypothetical scenarios offers fascinating insights into human biology and the biological sciences, especially when evaluating the consequences of substantial reductions in genetic material and the impact of drastic alterations to the environment of Earth.

Exploring the consequences that would ensue should one's genetic data suddenly disappear.

The manifestations and expected outcomes could be comparable to those encountered from exposure to treatments such as radiation therapy and chemical-based cancer treatments, as both have the potential to harm DNA.

If a person's genetic material were to disappear suddenly, they would experience a weight loss of about one-third of a pound, feel a steady vibration from their cells contracting, and might observe a slight shudder due to the decrease in mass, following the principle that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. This is somewhat comparable to the effects of DNA-targeting toxins like amatoxin in Amanita mushrooms, which hinder the functioning of cells' DNA-reading enzymes, causing significant damage to the hepatic or renal systems. Early signs such as gastrointestinal upset and loose stools may...

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What If Summary Delving into the cosmos and contemplating voyages that transcend the confines of Earth's atmosphere.

Exploring the limits of current technology in relation to the energy requirements and capabilities of spacecraft for space travel.

Evaluating the feasibility and calculating the energy required to launch each person into outer space.

The writer examines the technical obstacles and power requirements necessary to launch every person into outer space.

Investigating the practical and technical challenges involved in relocating on such a grand scale.

Relocating every individual from our planet would present significant logistical and technological challenges. To escape Earth's gravitational force, an individual weighing 65 kilograms would need to utilize 4 gigajoules of energy. Globally, the necessary energy is 2.8 x 10^18 joules, which is about 8 petawatt-hours, representing a mere 5 percent of the planet's annual energy consumption.

A one-ton spacecraft would require between 20 and 50 tons of traditional rocket fuel. Launching the entire human population into space, with a combined weight of approximately 400 million tons, would require a fuel mass that is several magnitudes greater,...

What If Summary Hypothetical natural disasters and catastrophic events

Exploring the implausible but intellectually engaging scenarios of extreme natural catastrophes can reveal the sheer forces of nature and their potential consequences on our world. Imagine two hypothetical situations: one where the earth shakes with a force measuring 15 on the Richter scale, and another where a colossal raindrop is formed.

Investigating the catastrophic outcomes that would result from a major urban area being struck by an earthquake of magnitude 15.

Exploring the disastrous outcomes that could ensue from a seismic event of that magnitude.

An earthquake registering 15 on the Richter scale would represent a disastrous event, releasing energy almost equal to that needed to overcome Earth's gravitational binding—around a hundred nonillion joules. An earthquake of this magnitude would be catastrophic, resulting in the total destruction of our planet akin to the fate of Alderaan in "Star Wars," and would pulverize all matter into swiftly expanding gas, including instruments that detect ground motion. In this overwhelming hypothesis, our planet could reflect the devastation of Alderaan, encircled by a more intense and widespread ring of wreckage than any...

What If

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • When the Earth suddenly stops spinning, the atmosphere continues moving, causing devastating winds globally. These winds can reach extreme speeds, leading to catastrophic consequences for both the environment and human structures. The sudden stoppage would result in intense heat on one side of the Earth and extreme cold on the other, creating tumultuous weather patterns and significant temperature differences. The marine ecosystem would be severely impacted, with massive waves damaging coastal areas.
  • Wind energy can generate heat through friction as it interacts with the Earth's surface, potentially leading to the formation of thunderous storms. This process occurs when high-speed winds create friction with the ground, converting kinetic energy into heat. The heat produced can contribute to the intensification of weather systems, leading to the development of thunderstorms and other severe weather phenomena. The interaction between wind energy and the Earth's surface plays a role in shaping weather patterns and can influence the formation and behavior of storms. -...

Counterarguments

  • The Earth suddenly stopping its rotation is a physical impossibility given the conservation of angular momentum; such an event would violate fundamental laws of physics.
  • Draining the oceans would not only take centuries but is practically impossible with current technology and would likely be ecologically catastrophic, making the scenario highly speculative and not grounded in feasible science.
  • Transferring Earth's water to Mars would involve overcoming immense technical challenges, including the energy required for transportation and the prevention of water loss in transit due to sublimation in the vacuum of space.
  • Creating a full-scale, accurate periodic table with actual element samples is not feasible due to the highly reactive and radioactive nature of some elements, as well as the scarcity of...

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