The sheer amount of energy from a direct lightning strike is
no where near the levels that myths portray. It is normal and
usual to protect electronics from direct strikes without
damage.

Thanks to a little thing called the lightning rod invented well before the 20th
Century. Grounding, or earthing as you've put it, is a simple way of directing
lightning to ground and safely away from anything that could be damaged as you
already know. Without grounding, as you've said, the lightning would simply
find its path to ground through the electronics.

The antenna towers may also double as lightning rods that provide a path to
ground to protect not only the transmission equipment, but the entire building
as well.

But my comment is merely pointing out the misconception by the general public
that home power surge suppressors are effective against lightning strikes.
They are not effective against that and anyone trusting a surge suppressor over
effective grounding, as you've pointed out and I never mentioned, or
disconnection of devices from the mains deserves to get their equipment damaged
after a storm. - Reinhart