Sure, the earth in bulk is essentially a conductor and it's possible to transmit electricity through the ground (eg single wire earth return). I would just thin

Sure, the earth in bulk is essentially a conductor and it's possible to transmit electricity through the ground (eg single wire earth return). I would just think it impractical for last hop residential distribution (eg the effect in the original post), as getting a good connection is hard and the distance is short. > the combined neutrals of the entire power grid are on the other end of any dumping of current you’re doing into ground This only makes sense if the primary side of the transformers have a grounded conductor ("neutral"), and it's bonded to the grounded conductor on the secondary side. I don't know much about common power distribution topologies, but this would seem less safe as it would increase the possibility of the high distribution voltage trying to find its way back to the plant/grid/ground through end-user services.