What does "off the grid " mean in the news?

[sadra1400]

"off the grid"

 

[Tarheel]

It seems to be the name of that blog (or whatever).

 

[emsr2d2]

Please tell us from which website you took that screenshot.

 

[sadra1400]

Please tell us from which website you took that screenshot.

The Economist (Instagram)

 

[Skrej]

It's just a headline or photo title.

"Off the grid" means not connected to the electrical grid. Sometimes this is by choice or necessity, because individuals either do not wish to be part of the commercial electrical supply, or the remote location of their dwelling makes it impossible or impractical to connect to the grid.

However, in this case, much of Ukraine is 'off the grid' due to the damage done to the electrical power production and distribution systems as a result of deliberate shelling and rocket attacks.

They're not actually off the grid so much as the grid itself was destroyed or damaged, but it's a play on a well-known set phrase.

 

[emsr2d2]

There's a wider meaning of "off the grid", describing people who have taken themselves out of much of what we consider to be normal society. They don't have bank accounts, they live in squats or in cars/minivans (most of which are neither taxed nor insured), have mobile phones that are potentially untraceable, and have neither electricity or gas supplies. As a rule, they are people who people who mistrust the authorities and do not wish to be trackable, as much as that's possible.