Good Blackouts versus Bad Blackouts

There’s a lot of talk about how this was a “good blackout” in the way
that 1965 was and 1977 wasn’t because there was no looting, no arson,
no craziness.
Many people are chalking this up to the economic situation in the 70’s,
that NYC was in a financial crusher. While that is true, I don’t buy it
as the main reason.
To me, the biggest factor in all this was timing.
The first blackout hit at 5:16, November 9, 1965. There was still light
on the streets. People had time to react.
Yesterday’s blackout hit at 4:10 PM. Plenty of daylight time to get
supplies and make alternate plans, and to find their way home.
The ’77 backout happened on July 13 at 9 at night. The sun was down,
and the city was suddenly plunged into darkness without warning. No way
to reprovision, and so on.
I look forward to hearing any other theories. For background, check out
the Blackout History Project.