| | | Page 1, 2, 3 | The Myth of Survivalism
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 7113
4/7/2008 2:11 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
After having lived the life of a survivalist for over 10 years (i.e. off the grid, raising my own food, securing my own water, bartering), I have come to the conclusion that those that prescribe to the notion of surviving a major economic or social collapse are completely misguided.
Those places that have ungone major social, political, or economic upheavals in the past decade such as the former Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Iraq, Sudan, etc. lost between 30 and 50% of their population.
Those that survived, lived a subsistance lifestyle. They actually fared better than most in the US will under similar circumstances, because we have become accustom to such a high standard of living for 60 years.
Stocking up on goods will only prolong the suffering. Unless you have a means of production, you will only last as long as your reserves.
Even those that live on homesteads, still need outside sources of energy (diesel, gas, propane, wood, coal.) The knowlege necessary to survive like our great, great grandparents did has disappeared.
The neo-survival movement, such as those in Idaho, will be fighting over limited and hard to extract resources. Because most survivalist are very independent, they will find it hard to cooperate which will be the essential key in going through the hard times that will probably last for at least 20 or more years.
I have walked the walk and this is the inconvenient conclusion I have drawn. I now believe the only way to survive what is likely to come is to form some type of intentional communities.
From most of the responses I have received when I have mentioned this idea have been negative, so the outcome I forsee is a massive dieoff. What exactly will precipitate it or when it will happen, I have no idea but my sense is that it will be within the next 24 months at the outside.
The glibness that dominates the majority in the mainstream or even here on GLP is a sure sentiment indicator that what I envision is inevitable.
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
not really. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 7113
4/7/2008 2:16 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
Absolute garbage. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 28083
i truly agree. it,s within the person. no man is an island he,s a pennisala. one or two people can achieve more than you can think. whatever he went through with his 10 year homesteading thing , i don,t want it. thank you sir.  |
| meltdown
User ID: 299326
4/7/2008 2:23 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
Dear OP
I agree with most of what you said. "in unity there is strength"
I think there are many reasons beyond the obvious why a group who are united in the goal of survival will have much better chances than individual persons and individual families.
I have often wondered if someone could make a profitable business model out of creating a community survival area with shelters and food storage etc. and sell shares to like-minded people who don't have the time and resources to make the necessary preparations by themselves... but they could make a membership down payment and reasonable monthly payments.
Until the collapse hits, members could use the property for camping and recreational purposes, etc.
Have you thought about putting something like that together? Is your property large enough to do something like that on?
Where are you located? I'm in Idaho.
BTW
I thought your comment about "24" and "Jack Bauer" was a dead giveaway that you have not totally removed yourself from society and the programs on TV. I picture you tucked away up in the hills in a little cabin off of the grid watching 24 on a solar powered TV.
"What is coming, Jack Bauer will not be able to stop." |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 409580
4/7/2008 3:13 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
I came to much the same conclusion...I more than likely could not sustain myself,and if I have thousands of dollars worth of supplies, I would have to share them with others....so it would just take longer for the almost sure inevitable. Quoting: Alzaya
The supplies are not really a problem if you have a place to store them, but I for one am not up to defending said supplies against all takers, and believe me there would be takers. Sharing is a much better system but does not work in our hyper-individualistic culture.
We have no idea what the climate is going to do, so it is foolish to count on growing a lot of marginal crops. And for the indoor gardener survival types --
you can't indoor garden without electric lights ! Not that you can grow many edibles that way anyway. . . potatoes are your best bet (outdoors or sunspace).
I think homes of the future will be much more earth sheltered for energy efficiency, another option in dry climates is straw bale or adobe. Portable greenhouses are very useful. (Metal frames, woven plastic covers, they also serve to keep animals out of your crops). Personally, I have this great vision of the freeways being used for growing crops in greenhouses, raised beds, barrels, all kinds of things -- some lanes are left open for pedestrians, some for bikes, and some for hydrogen powered vehicles. Lots of little merchant and service shops tucked in along the sides. A transitional economy which trades in hemp notes (lovely hemp logo, printed on hemp paper), rather than in dollars which feature ugly portraits of long dead white land and slave owners who raped an entire continent under the banner of manifest destiny. We seem to be the recipients of that manifest destiny, unfortunately it sort of sucks. But it's up to us to deal with it honestly and creatively. |
| Coldwarkid
User ID: 410712
4/8/2008 1:17 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
A year ago I wrote this thread. Little did I know how accuate my thoughts were.
HI OP,
What are you doing now in your life? Still living off the grid?
I ask because I am interested. . . .
Watching things unfold as I have envisioned for years. I am afraid to say it is going to be much worse than even I expected. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 350337
4/8/2008 1:49 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
most will die (90+%). the majority of survivors will be reduced to subsistance, eating one or two types of foodstuffs. seedstocks or livestock from further than 20 miles away will be unobtainable. some isolated and well prepared people will form communities and flourish. predator numbers , both human and natural will explode.
what else would you expect.
oh! BTW government and the rich will survive and maintain their positions of authority over any large populations centres that are left. |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 272356
4/8/2008 2:59 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
After having lived the life of a survivalist for over 10 years (i.e. off the grid, raising my own food, securing my own water, bartering), I have come to the conclusion that those that prescribe to the notion of surviving a major economic or social collapse are completely misguided.
Those places that have ungone major social, political, or economic upheavals in the past decade such as the former Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Iraq, Sudan, etc. lost between 30 and 50% of their population.
Those that survived, lived a subsistance lifestyle. They actually fared better than most in the US will under similar circumstances, because we have become accustom to such a high standard of living for 60 years.
Stocking up on goods will only prolong the suffering. Unless you have a means of production, you will only last as long as your reserves.
Even those that live on homesteads, still need outside sources of energy (diesel, gas, propane, wood, coal.) The knowlege necessary to survive like our great, great grandparents did has disappeared.
The neo-survival movement, such as those in Idaho, will be fighting over limited and hard to extract resources. Because most survivalist are very independent, they will find it hard to cooperate which will be the essential key in going through the hard times that will probably last for at least 20 or more years.
I have walked the walk and this is the inconvenient conclusion I have drawn. I now believe the only way to survive what is likely to come is to form some type of intentional communities.
From most of the responses I have received when I have mentioned this idea have been negative, so the outcome I forsee is a massive dieoff. What exactly will precipitate it or when it will happen, I have no idea but my sense is that it will be within the next 24 months at the outside.
The glibness that dominates the majority in the mainstream or even here on GLP is a sure sentiment indicator that what I envision is inevitable.
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
OP, you are correct. Think 'community'. An isolationist approach will not work in a TEOTWAWKI situation. |
| Broca
User ID: 600509
1/25/2009 2:43 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
LIVE SCIENCE (07 January 2009) about 2012, SOLAR STORM and NASA:
A new study from the National Academy of Sciences outlines grim possibilities on Earth for a worst-case scenario solar storm... the next peak in solar activity is expected to come around 2012...Damage to power grids and other communications systems could be catastrophic, the
scientists conclude, with effects leading to a potential loss of governmental control of the situation... "A catastrophic failure of commercial and government infrastructure in space and on the ground can be mitigated through raising public awareness, improving vulnerable infrastructure and developing advanced forecasting
capabilities," the report states. "Without preventive actions or plans, the trend of increased dependency on modern space-weather sensitive assets could make society more vulnerable in the future." The report was commissioned and funded by NASA:
[link to cristiannegureanu.blogspot.com] |
| Free Store. 
User ID: 154768
1/25/2009 3:09 AM
 | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
Moses wandered around a desert for forty yrs with His people
I guess the Egyptians gave up the chase
"do geese see god?"
"... lol, do your eyes need proof that they can see for to be able to see? "
gooderboy |
| andrew
User ID: 600524
1/25/2009 3:35 AM
 | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
of course surviving as a Lone Wolf in the woods is very tricky thing - hard and every day survived is a great achievement. but it IS possible.
stories abound in our Ukrainian media about people, owners of businesses, professors, programists, old and young who left everything and went to the woods with almost bare hands. they live on what they find under their feet. they use clay and wood.
of course communities fare better, together people can do much more.
and communities do not necessarily need external sources of supplies. they only need to be inventive!
i know it myself, having spent much of my childhood and teen years on our "dacha" outside the city, off the grid, no gas, no light, water in hand pump (FREE water!). forest is near that place, no settlements around for miles.
one only has to be inventive and he can do miracles of what he has at hand in nature! |
| andrew
User ID: 600524
1/25/2009 3:43 AM
| | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
and junk is an excellent source of materials!
(theres enough of it everywhere)
you can use it too keep fire if you cant use it in any other way!
|
| andrew
User ID: 600524
1/25/2009 3:45 AM
| | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
survival is more of a mindset than having things, if so many people die off, there will be lots of things laying around for the picking
always wanted to drive my truck through a walmart window and just load up... gotta have dreams *grin*
knowledge, self confidence, and good health,, along with a solid network of friends and family is key Quoting: malu
absolutely!
a mindset, and theres always plenty of junk everywhere!
|
| Scully
User ID: 594877
1/25/2009 10:24 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
You forget the grief factor...when all your family/friends have died. Whats the point of storing food if everyone you love dies in whatever catastophy happens? This is normally the case in major upheaval....so storing food seems very pointless.
Nuclear.....everyone alive just gets OUT....see Chernobyl...everything is radioactive.
Katrina...everyone alive just gets out...I didnt see anyone with a can opener in their hand..did hear of many mental people raping kids/women.
Earthquake....everyone gets out....fuck da food situation. As soon as the earth stops moving....it will only be the same as tsunami time...back on within a few days to a year.
Ice age....farms suffer...no food as ground is frozen. Its too cold to bother about canned shit....just move to a warmer climate...this will be for hundreds of years...not 5 years...its permanent in the life of a human.
Plagues - well....food wont help you at all....isolation might but it may never happen and you still have to buy food/something somewhere.
Have you been reading The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham? You are expecting alien plantlife to plague the earth? Cool...but even then...the survivors had a whole mess of city/supermarkets to visit for food....so why keep a little stock at home? |
| VP
User ID: 639611
5/2/2009 8:35 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
The replies to my post prove a point. Out of 17 only 3 or 4 were constructive. The rest, I am not sure why they even bothered to post a reply because they amounted to nothing but mindless drivel.
It is apparent that very few on GLP have ever known deprivaton, much less real suffering. It is clear that most Americans live in an illusion, that post WWII life will go on forever and that all the modern conveniences we have, we take for granted.
Having had relatives from NOLA, few are back on their feet. Friends and acquaintences coming back from Iraq are changed people. I lived through the Texas S&L crisis and saw a 70% vacancy rate in downtown. In some areas of town, commerical real estate were boarded up and under the Resolution Trust Corporation. 1 out of 3 Houstonians filed for bankrupcy. There were tent cities with as many as 7,000 people homeless in many areas.
With easy credit, a stock market based on speculaton, people quitting traditional jobs to day trade or flip properties is a recipe for disaster. I believe we are in the early stages of what is likely to reduce the US to 2nd or 3rd world status.
When the days of easy money comes to an end, or more likely the dollar collapses and you cannot buy anything because the currency has no value, the veneer of cockyness will wear off quickly and people will get religion.
It is not going to be an asteroid, galactive wave, global warming, bird flu, a dirty bomb, or any of the other scenarios that all of the 24 addicts. What is coming, Jack Bauer will not be able to stop.
It has already started, and the main barometer of anxiety in the circles of the "big boys" is the price of gold which is about to explode as the dollar collapses.
Few of you remember the Maryland Banking crises of the late 80s when you could only take out about 750 dollars from your accounts. With the amount of debt Americans are carrying today, any type of currency controls will turn the USD into nothing but a token.
At one point I thought a blowout of the economy would be survivable with enough resources, but after ready what happened in Yugoslavia where neighors were pitted against neighbors I had to rethink everything I had previously believed.
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
Lets see today is May 2 2009 seems your words were pretty prolific...I also prescribe to your thinking. They will take us peice by peice and do it economically..I wouldnt term myself a survivalist but a realist, I have stocked up on ammo, notice how in the last 6 months ammo has become a hot commodity, I have stocked up in Gold, to the best I could afford it" reduced or eliminated all my debt (including mortgages)and have done the same for my sons and their families. First economic devastation and then social..social being a bad guy behind every tree, like we already dont have enough of those? I have prepared for a natural disaster "hurricanes" to the point people laugh at me, but rolling blackouts and energy and food restrictions may be in the future. Yep, I think you have a handle on it. |
| dschis
User ID: 658956
5/2/2009 9:01 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
"The replies to my post prove a point. Out of 17 only 3 or 4 were constructive. The rest, I am not sure why they even bothered to post a reply because they amounted to nothing but mindless drivel."
What do you want when you come here and tell us, "it's hopeless"?
I've spent the majority of my adult life, more than 15 years, learning all those old world survival skills that you claim are lost. I've lived in the Rocky Mountains in a tipi for nearly a year, hunting and foraging to feed myself. I have a garden, and livestock, and good neighbors with whom I've discussed 'neighborhood security tactics'. We have enough firewood and timber to last our little group for our foreseeable lifetimes.
Sorry if I'm not willing to admit that it's all pointless. Quoting: Evil Twin
Just curious, but where in the blazes can you find cheap land so that you can live by hunting, build your shelter, raise livestock. I live in the burbs now and would sort of like to get back to my roots in the country. Missouri maybe?
I will assist each individual in their efforts to become a highly motivated, well disciplined, physically and mentally fit soldier, capable of defeating any enemy on today's modern battlefield.
I will instill pride in all I train. Pride in self, in the Army, and in Country.
I will insist that each soldier meets and maintains the Army standards of military bearing and courtesy, consistent with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
I will lead by example, never requiring a soldier to attempt any task I would not do myself.
But first, last, and always, I am an American Soldier. Sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. |
| A_Leopard_Sanctuary
User ID: 670372
5/2/2009 9:31 PM
 | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
That's the same idea I have.Go underground and eat worms!!
Works for me!!!
:mole: Quoting: 4by2
Brother sun, intuition moon. Home at the forest.
Sure every post I have mentions goat blood...How do you think we get plasma tv's?
Organic needs are being assaulted. I'm not amused by this & encourage all to grow heirloom seed for themselves.
The garden gives greatest power.
Diabetes curing food list [Forget the FDA - Think for yourself]:
[link to www.godlikeproductions.com] |
| Loosecannon
User ID: 670387
5/2/2009 9:45 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
After having lived the life of a survivalist for over 10 years (i.e. off the grid, raising my own food, securing my own water, bartering), I have come to the conclusion that those that prescribe to the notion of surviving a major economic or social collapse are completely misguided.
Those places that have ungone major social, political, or economic upheavals in the past decade such as the former Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Iraq, Sudan, etc. lost between 30 and 50% of their population.
Those that survived, lived a subsistance lifestyle. They actually fared better than most in the US will under similar circumstances, because we have become accustom to such a high standard of living for 60 years.
Stocking up on goods will only prolong the suffering. Unless you have a means of production, you will only last as long as your reserves.
Even those that live on homesteads, still need outside sources of energy (diesel, gas, propane, wood, coal.) The knowlege necessary to survive like our great, great grandparents did has disappeared.
The neo-survival movement, such as those in Idaho, will be fighting over limited and hard to extract resources. Because most survivalist are very independent, they will find it hard to cooperate which will be the essential key in going through the hard times that will probably last for at least 20 or more years.
I have walked the walk and this is the inconvenient conclusion I have drawn. I now believe the only way to survive what is likely to come is to form some type of intentional communities.
From most of the responses I have received when I have mentioned this idea have been negative, so the outcome I forsee is a massive dieoff. What exactly will precipitate it or when it will happen, I have no idea but my sense is that it will be within the next 24 months at the outside.
The glibness that dominates the majority in the mainstream or even here on GLP is a sure sentiment indicator that what I envision is inevitable.
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
CWK, I spent half my 50 years living in the wilderness and you are mostly right. If the stores closed tommorrow 90% of Americans would die trying.
Those who lived in remote enough locations with abundant natuiral food would be able to survive in limited numbers at a subsistence level until technology again raised their living standards as it has for all of us since the industrial revolution.
But before the industrial revolution the only folks who ever lived above a subsistence level were kings, slaveholders and folks living in tropical paradise.
All those folks who think they can plan a survival path if the shit hits the fan have fully underestimated the challenges involved including the 90% who are destined to die but will only die trying to steal from you what they need to survive.
But the boolit loaders won't listen. |
| Jackinthebox
User ID: 666758
5/2/2009 9:47 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
OP is right.
I have no money to stock up on goods and play survivor. But being homeless gives me a key advantage over most other people. I know how to get what I need, when I need it.
When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
-Revelation 6:5, 6:6 |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 670387
5/2/2009 9:49 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
BTW, the definition of subsistence includes a hellava lot of starvation until the next food source rounds the corner.
Even medieval Europe had famines on average every other year.
Which is why Europeans were almost a foot shorter before the industrial age. They were malnourished fully half of their subsistence lives, maybe more.
And those were the winners in a subsistence world. The losers all died. |
| Jackinthebox
User ID: 666758
5/2/2009 9:52 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
BTW, the definition of subsistence includes a hellava lot of starvation until the next food source rounds the corner.
Even medieval Europe had famines on average every other year.
Which is why Europeans were almost a foot shorter before the industrial age. They were malnourished fully half of their subsistence lives, maybe more.
And those were the winners in a subsistence world. The losers all died. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 670387
For the first time in the history of America, our average life expectancy has beun to fall.
And it is because we are being starved to death...
[link to www.godlikeproductions.com]
When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
-Revelation 6:5, 6:6 |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 670387
5/2/2009 10:10 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
For the first time in the history of America, our average life expectancy has beun to fall.
And it is because we are being starved to death...
[ link to www.godlikeproductions.com]
I never ate sweets and eat a pretty good diet of whole foods. But about 15 years ago I walked into a grocery store in Nebraska and realized that there wasn't any real food in the entire store.
Even gleaning the best of what is available mainstream is a pretty mediocre diet. |
| Jackinthebox
User ID: 666758
5/2/2009 10:12 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
I never ate sweets and eat a pretty good diet of whole foods. But about 15 years ago I walked into a grocery store in Nebraska and realized that there wasn't any real food in the entire store.
Even gleaning the best of what is available mainstream is a pretty mediocre diet. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 670387
But most people would think you were a nut if you said something like that in public.
And even what you might consider to be "real" food is only found in what, two aisles.
So many choices of same.
When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
-Revelation 6:5, 6:6 |
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 670387
5/2/2009 11:00 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
But most people would think you were a nut if you said something like that in public.
And even what you might consider to be "real" food is only found in what, two aisles. Quoting: Jackinthebox
more like none. The veggies aren't fresh and are picked green and packed in nitrogen. The milk is cooked, meat is full of steroids and antibiotics.
Even the stuff which resembles real food visually only exists within two aisles.
And now it is worse, I read recently that 90% of our food supply now derives from genetically modified corn and soy.
I have eaten fresh roe from the belly of King Salmon mamas seconds after I filleted her on the deck of a salmon tender in Sand Point AK. That's real food. And of course almost anything you grow in your garden from heirloom seeds and almost any kind of wild weed, acorn etc....That's real food. And of course deer, moose, Elk, salmon, trout, rabbits, quail, grouse. Shantrels, gouducks, black mussels, Dungeness crab....
The grocery store is where real food isn't. |
| Jackinthebox
User ID: 666758
5/2/2009 11:18 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
But most people would think you were a nut if you said something like that in public.
And even what you might consider to be "real" food is only found in what, two aisles.
. . .
more like none. The veggies aren't fresh and are picked green and packed in nitrogen. The milk is cooked, meat is full of steroids and antibiotics.
Even the stuff which resembles real food visually only exists within two aisles.
And now it is worse, I read recently that 90% of our food supply now derives from genetically modified corn and soy.
I have eaten fresh roe from the belly of King Salmon mamas seconds after I filleted her on the deck of a salmon tender in Sand Point AK. That's real food. And of course almost anything you grow in your garden from heirloom seeds and almost any kind of wild weed, acorn etc....That's real food. And of course deer, moose, Elk, salmon, trout, rabbits, quail, grouse. Shantrels, gouducks, black mussels, Dungeness crab....
The grocery store is where real food isn't. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 670387
Preaching to the choir friend. Lol. Cheers.
When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
-Revelation 6:5, 6:6 |
| sepitus
User ID: 640119
5/2/2009 11:52 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
Survival is a state of mind.
We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.
If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.
(George S. Patton) |
| telling it straight
User ID: 642221
5/2/2009 11:57 PM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
From most of the responses I have received when I have mentioned this idea have been negative, so the outcome I forsee is a massive dieoff.
CWK
Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
If/when disaster hits, we'll put aside our independence and band together willingly. People can talk tough now about going it alone but when reality hits, we'll want to be with people that we can trust. The old safety in numbers thing.
Especially since crime is apt to be so bad, standing guard over your stuff will be necessary 24/7
|
| Anonymous Coward
User ID: 670387
5/3/2009 12:06 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
yeah |
| doomass
User ID: 545433
5/3/2009 12:18 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
The replies to my post prove a point. Out of 17 only 3 or 4 were constructive. The rest, I am not sure why they even bothered to post a reply because they amounted to nothing but mindless drivel.
It is apparent that very few on GLP have ever known deprivaton, much less real suffering. It is clear that most Americans live in an illusion, that post WWII life will go on forever and that all the modern conveniences we have, we take for granted.
Having had relatives from NOLA, few are back on their feet. Friends and acquaintences coming back from Iraq are changed people. I lived through the Texas S&L crisis and saw a 70% vacancy rate in downtown. In some areas of town, commerical real estate were boarded up and under the Resolution Trust Corporation. 1 out of 3 Houstonians filed for bankrupcy. There were tent cities with as many as 7,000 people homeless in many areas.
With easy credit, a stock market based on speculaton, people quitting traditional jobs to day trade or flip properties is a recipe for disaster. I believe we are in the early stages of what is likely to reduce the US to 2nd or 3rd world status.
When the days of easy money comes to an end, or more likely the dollar collapses and you cannot buy anything because the currency has no value, the veneer of cockyness will wear off quickly and people will get religion.
It is not going to be an asteroid, galactive wave, global warming, bird flu, a dirty bomb, or any of the other scenarios that all of the 24 addicts. What is coming, Jack Bauer will not be able to stop.
It has already started, and the main barometer of anxiety in the circles of the "big boys" is the price of gold which is about to explode as the dollar collapses.
Few of you remember the Maryland Banking crises of the late 80s when you could only take out about 750 dollars from your accounts. With the amount of debt Americans are carrying today, any type of currency controls will turn the USD into nothing but a token.
At one point I thought a blowout of the economy would be survivable with enough resources, but after ready what happened in Yugoslavia where neighors were pitted against neighbors I had to rethink everything I had previously believed.
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
 And this thread is different...how? |
| Roger
User ID: 599495
5/3/2009 12:23 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
...
I have walked the walk and this is the inconvenient conclusion I have drawn. I now believe the only way to survive what is likely to come is to form some type of intentional communities.
...
CWK Quoting: Coldwarkid 89855
+1. Community-based survivalism is the only way to go in a TEOTWAWKI/long-term SHTF situation in which there is a societal-economic collapse. |
| LURKING
User ID: 656081
5/3/2009 12:32 AM | | Re: The Myth of Survivalism | Quote |
but seriously...*ahem*
knowledge is powerful. there have been so many threads on glp (a very good one malu had) on how to prepare...how to think ahead...how would you not only survive...but live...if something should happen (say a winter storm)...what would you eat? drink? wear? heat? cool? garden? etc.
plan in advance and you'll do fine. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 199461
Dunno... but I got my squirrel snares ready.
"The Truth is so valuable that it must be protected with a bodyguard of lies"
Winston Churchill
Punted from GLP for the last time by unresponsive mods. Have gone to greener pastures where there is more professionalism. |
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