Hypothetical Situation #001

[Captain Utopia]

Remember we are playing a 'what if' game.

Target your attacks on a weekday when the majority of people are at work and most likely many of their computers would be turned off. Make your own server one way communications only, out going.

I thought an EMP destroyed equipment whether it was on or off?  Regardless, how many people turn off their modems/routers and unplug their computers from the wall when they leave for work?  Anything left on standby would still be fried.

Also, servers need to receive incoming communications to send out data.

[the dreadful hours]

more pollution

[Captain Utopia]

Say you wanted to conquer the world.  What would be the most bloodless way to do it?  Assume arbitrarily high resources, but solutions that don't require absurd amounts of money, unlimited time, or absolute loyalty in hired help, are naturally better.

I'm partially asking this because I'm not sure it's possible. 

Ideas?

Can you define what you mean?  Do you mean to shape the world into being the way you'd want it to be, or to sit in some control tower somewhere, able to control large and small events all over the world however you desire?

[Adios]

Here's a pretty good EMP article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse

[Adios]

Although the electric field created from an EMP lasts for only a short time, its effects can be devastating. It is predicted that a single high altitude burst 200 miles above Kansas could propagate an EMP enveloping the entire United States. Electrical systems connected to things that can conduct current like wires, antennas, and metal objects will suffer significant damage. EMP effects on electronics include interference of radio frequency links, irreparable damage to microcircuits, and even the disabling of satellites. Fortunately, electronic equipment that is turned off is less likely to be damaged.

http://www.unitedstatesaction.com/emp-terror.htm

Source not vetted.

[Cain]

You guys are thinking way too tactically.  And like cheap Hollywood terrorists.  Do you really think you could control the entire world without a level of consent?  Have you given any thought as to how you would manufacture this?

[Iason Ouabache]

Say you wanted to conquer the world.  What would be the most bloodless way to do it?  Assume arbitrarily high resources, but solutions that don't require absurd amounts of money, unlimited time, or absolute loyalty in hired help, are naturally better.

I'm partially asking this because I'm not sure it's possible. 

Ideas?

Hack the database of every escort service in DC. Use said info to blackmail every powerful politician. (Sidenote: hire highly trained and unbribeable bodyguards)

[Pope Lecherous]

You guys are thinking way too tactically.  And like cheap Hollywood terrorists.  Do you really think you could control the entire world without a level of consent?  Have you given any thought as to how you would manufacture this?

furthermore, there is such a thing as emp shielding.

[LMNO]

Can you define what you mean?  Do you mean to shape the world into being the way you'd want it to be, or to sit in some control tower somewhere, able to control large and small events all over the world however you desire?

This.  What criteria define "conquer the world"? 

[Cramulus]

Okay, thinking specifically like a hollywood terrorist:

I'd create these really fantastic gifts for all the world leaders. These gifts would have to be really expensive - expensive enough that they'd actually get delivered and handled by the presidents and prime ministers and royalty.

Then everybody would get sick and I'd have the only cure! moo ha ha!

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Develop a highly addictive drug. Get the general public to start consuming it by marketing it as an energy drink with vitamins, amino acids, and I don't know, hyena placenta, or whatever other unnecessary additive people are bonkers over these days.

When they're all hooked, you control them by controlling the supply of said drug.

[Cain]

Acquire favourably geopolitically situationed country through force or fair elections or a mixture of the two based on the local political culture and my needs.  Proceed to play off surrounding nations against each other while trading with them all and, when of sufficient economic strength, start to translate that into military power of a defensive nature.  Once regionally secure, I would then attempt to build on offensive military power, while decrying the unstable foreign policies of my neighbours (often caused by my indirect influence) as a need for a force for creating peaceful resolutions to conflicts.  Whenever a conflict would arise, I would intervene, either covertly or (if impossible to avoid) overtly to ensure people responsive to my interests are put in positions of power.  I would also use various corporate and banking entities in my home country to open up foreign markets to my influence, either through trading expensive manufacturing goods or resource extraction.  I would outwardly abide by the rules and norms of international law and diplomacy, while covertly breaking them and subverting them, and use a well funded, nominally independent propaganda system to demonize my enemies both at home and abroad.

[Adios]

Acquire favourably geopolitically situationed country through force or fair elections or a mixture of the two based on the local political culture and my needs.  Proceed to play off surrounding nations against each other while trading with them all and, when of sufficient economic strength, start to translate that into military power of a defensive nature.  Once regionally secure, I would then attempt to build on offensive military power, while decrying the unstable foreign policies of my neighbours (often caused by my indirect influence) as a need for a force for creating peaceful resolutions to conflicts.  Whenever a conflict would arise, I would intervene, either covertly or (if impossible to avoid) overtly to ensure people responsive to my interests are put in positions of power.  I would also use various corporate and banking entities in my home country to open up foreign markets to my influence, either through trading expensive manufacturing goods or resource extraction.  I would outwardly abide by the rules and norms of international law and diplomacy, while covertly breaking them and subverting them, and use a well funded, nominally independent propaganda system to demonize my enemies both at home and abroad.

Now why does this sound familiar?

[Jasper]

That sounds a lot smarter than my plan, which was to use attacks that caused maximum fiscal damage, in order to cripple governments, then supplant them.  The plan had a lot of problems.

[AFK]

Hijack cell phone towers and manipulate people though their hand-held, seemingly grafted to their hands, technology.