blackouts

Blackout is a term used in several domains to describe a temporary loss or suppression of power, memory, or information. In common usage it most often refers to a power outage that disables electricity supply to households and businesses, but it can also denote amnesia caused by alcohol intoxication or intentional information suppression.

Power outages (blackouts) occur when the electricity grid cannot deliver power. Causes include severe weather, damaged transmission lines, failures of generation or distribution equipment, and operational or maintenance issues. Outages can be local or regional and may last from minutes to days. Utilities use methods such as load shedding and automatic restoration to manage shortages. Blackouts disrupt homes, hospitals, industry, and critical infrastructure, and can affect communications networks, water treatment, and transport.

Alcohol-related blackouts refer to periods during which a person is unable to recall events that occurred while intoxicated, even though they were conscious at the time. There are fragmentary blackouts, where recollection is partial, and complete blackouts, where no memory is formed. They correlate with high blood alcohol concentrations and rapid consumption. They do not signify unconsciousness but raise the risk of injury, unsafe decisions, and harmful behavior.

Media or information blackouts describe restrictions on reporting or access to information or broadcasts. Governments, institutions, or broadcasters may impose temporary bans, censorship, or embargoes during emergencies, security operations, or sensitive events. Such blackouts can limit public awareness and hinder coordination, prompting debate over transparency and civil liberties.

Restoring normal functioning typically focuses on infrastructure repair and resilience for power, safety measures for health-related blackouts, and legal or policy considerations for information-related blackouts.