[csomar]

> It's handy to know how to build a solar panel but it isn't worth much if someone hits me on the head with a club five minutes later.

Most people will quickly assemble in groups/tribes/families. People can realize danger, and even independents will know when it's time. Chaos will be transitory and most people will be unaffected; however, supply lines will be limited to neighboring friendly tribes/villages. As a result, shipping things from the other side of the world will be expensive and slow. Products will make their way slowly, so you'll always get the end product but inefficiently.

[to1y]

Its likely there will be mass violence in the beginning and pretty much everyone will be affected imo. Criminal types will flourish taking what they will. Most will die from starvation pretty soon though. Those who have some sort of food source will become huge targets very quickly. Your only real hope is to have some tucked away huge bit of land with water and food already growing. Even then that wont be enough.

[csomar]

> Its likely there will be mass violence in the beginning and pretty much everyone will be affected imo.

No. Cities will be affected disproportionately but that's it. The crime rate is too low. Even if it x10, it'll be roughly the same as Brazil or El Salvador (which still has people and communities living there!).

> Criminal types will flourish taking what they will.

Corporations and large enterprises will likely be targeted more.

> Most will die from starvation pretty soon though.

No.

> Those who have some sort of food source will become huge targets very quickly.

People will trade with farmers; like they did before? Just food will become more expensive. There is massive food waste (especially in the US), and even places like Africa will be fine.

A post-Apocalyptic world is more about the collapse about the current order (current government, corporations, current powers) than the death of the people. Unless a nuclear winter sets, most people will be fine.