View Full Version : If the SHTF, what educations will be the most valued
SA Friday
01-07-2010, 16:24
They've been playing Armageddon stuff on the history channel this week. I've been watching some of it. It got me thinking. Also, if you've ever read the book, 'The Time Machine' in the end he goes forward in time to stay after armageddon occurred. Before he does this, he goes back to his lab and takes three books forward in time with him. The book never says which three books he takes with him.
So, combining these two ideas, what three education areas are going to be the most valuable after everything swirls the bowl. It's tough to choose three. So many skills will be needed to survive.
Here are the ground rules: You have to choose only 3 educational fields and you have to justify why you think they will be in the top three most advantageous in long term survival. The educational field must be a field that one can get a higher education in from an educational institution. Consider the maximum level of education is a BS or BA. No masters or PhD level degrees. Navy seal doesn't meet this criteria, but a Gunsmithing cert would. Be realistic with the educational background.
I'll kick it off.
#1 Agricultural Studies: I grew up working on a farm in NE during school holidays. We farmed 6 square miles of land and the farm sustained four families full time. Each family had a minimum 1 acre garden at their home place. Growing food is hard; hard to learn what plant need to grow, hard to learn how to rotate crops and soil management, in just flat out physically hard. Being able to self-sustain through food crops will be vital to stay alive long term.
#2 Security and Protective Services: Growing self-sustaining crops will require homesteading. Living nomadic may work for a while, but without a healthy infrastructure, supplies are going to dwindle very fast. Roaming the earth like Cain isn't going to last long unless you are willing to raid settlements for sustainment. So, settlements are going to have to have a robust security system in place to prevent being raided into non-existance. It's easy to find soldiers, but tough to find someone to put security plans in place, evaluate weaknesses and neutralize those weaknesses, and asses the potential threats to the community. People with the knowledge on how to bring this information together and keep a self-sustaining settlement alive and in once piece are going to become settlements leaders.
#3 General Engineering: The one that can make stuff work and build from scratch is the one you never send on security details. He will be just too valuable to the community. This is the person that turns wrecked out vehicles into farming impliments and turns rivers into power sources. Eventually even in tact structures and equipement are going to start to need maintenence or even catastrophically fail. Being able to save those assets or replace them with low tech alternatives could be the difference between self-sustainment for the community in a couple of years or a couple of decades.
There are just so many things that would impact this scenario, this topic has the potential to spiral off into god knows what. Try to stay focused here if you would please. I've thought about this question for quite a while, and I'm still only convinced about my #1 choice. It's one of those questions that requires some serious time and critical thinking put into it, and I'm not sure there really is a correct answer per se. But, in the end, it really narrows down which friends you want to have around if we skip back to the 1800s. Financial planners are pretty low on that list for me.
Have fun with it.
Agricultural
Medical
Engineering
I'd say something about economics for long term society building, but in my experience, any one smart enough to be an engineer is also a person whom economics and other logic based issues comes naturally to. I won't put too much thought into this, but as long as each of your three things are different enough to capture the different minded people who excel in those categories, you will likely be able to pretty adequately cover the middle ground.
So to sum up, I wouldn't be concerned with picking an absolute three. Rather I would make sure to focus on certain areas of education that aren't likely to overlap, without working too hard for a specific degree. If I had to pick three areas to learn myself though, it would be the three I already listed.
I have been fortunate enough to grow up farming, hunting and having to fix everything man has made just about.
Maybe that is part of the devine plan.
Agricultural
Medical
Engineering
I'd say something about economics for long term society building, but in my experience, any one smart enough to be an engineer is also a person whom economics and other logic based issues comes naturally to. I won't put too much thought into this, but as long as each of your three things are different enough to capture the different minded people who excel in those categories, you will likely be able to pretty adequately cover the middle ground.
So to sum up, I wouldn't be concerned with picking an absolute three. Rather I would make sure to focus on certain areas of education that aren't likely to overlap, without working too hard for a specific degree.
forgot about medicine.
I know alot of engineers and they can't tie a knot but they might be able to design one.
Picking people with common sense.
GreenScoutII
01-07-2010, 17:12
I think a scenario like that one would be where guys like me would be really valuable. Not trying to toot my own horn, its just that our society today places so much value on a college education and tends not to reward those of us with other skill sets nearly as much. In a post-apocalyptic environment, it might be just the opposite.
Also, I think elderly people, particularly those from rural environments would be particularly valuable for thier knowledge of now nearly forgotten skills which may prove invaluable again some day. Skills like canning and preserving food without the need for refridgeration/freezing, organic gardening, animal husbandry, soap making, and many more aren't exactly common knowlege anymore.
So, I would break down the three most usefull types of people into three groups:
1. Mechanicals. This group is comprised of those with the skills to build and maintain structures, equipment, vehicles and other similar things. Also, engineers might fall into this category as well, though all the good ideas in the world are worthless without guys with the skills to implement them.
2. Farmers. These are the people who know how to grow food. Nuff said...
#. Medicals. These are your doctors and nurses as well as other people with a medical background. Veterinarians fall into this group as well.
I think in general people who know how to to work with thier hands and have a diverse set of practical skills would be in the highest demand. Paper pushers and computer geeks, probably not so much
All in all finding Like Minded level headed people.
GoldFinger
01-07-2010, 17:39
If you really want to subscribe to TSHTF, TEOTWAWKI, etc... Here is the place to find anything you could want know. It's hosted by James Rawles, Author of the Partriot (i'm sure a few on here have read it).
http://survivalblog.com/
[Freeze] (seemed appropriate for today)
If you really want to subscribe to TSHTF, TEOTWAWKI, etc... Here is the place to find anything you could want know. It's hosted by James Rawles, Author of the Partriot (i'm sure a few on here have read it).
http://survivalblog.com/
[Freeze] (seemed appropriate for today)
Heh, I just got his book in the mail: How To Survive TEOTWAWKI. I didn't realise it was the same guy who wrote The Patriot.
GoldFinger
01-07-2010, 17:55
Okay, I didn't follow the rules on my first post, but here we go.
#1 Aggriculture - Not today's GPS fed combines, I'm talking single row plow behind an animal. Understanding of "old school" farming techniques and seasons.
#2 Fabrication / Engineering- Be able to fabricate parts like: replacement weapons components, farming implements, wind driven utilties, etc..
#3 - Home medicine - It won't take long for drugs to lose their potency and someone with a good grip on "natural" remedies and an understanding of basic anatomy would be in good demand. (you said no PHDs)
#4 - I know your only supose to have 3, but I can't see anyway around a 4th. Military, preferrably someone with good experience in arms and small group tactics.
A big plus would be someone with an extensive library of books and paper resources regarding all of the above.
#5 - Hot chick. preferably not smart. :) [Help]
SA Friday
01-07-2010, 18:04
I thought a lot about medical career fields. I can see a Dr being very useful, but the meds will only go so far. Combine a Dr with a Botanist and I think you would be really well off for medical needs.
If you get to use books, then you don't need to go to school in any of those things.
GoldFinger
01-07-2010, 18:06
If you get to use books, then you don't need to go to school in any of those things.
Did you see the seen in The Stand where they were trying to remove someones appendix, by candle light, with only a health book on hand. Did not work so good for them.
(by the way I do not promote THE STAND as acceptable TEOTWAWKI matterial)
I knew that was going to be the kind of response. I set myself up for that one.
Specialists will find themselves marginalized. People who are skilled in multiple disciplines will rise in value. Engineer/chemist/medic/mechanic/warrior/baker/leatherworker......
outside the rules, I know....
KevDen2005
01-07-2010, 18:46
I read Survival Blog all the time. There is a ton of good information in there. For me I chose not to go into the family line of work of being a mechanic or into construction so I joined the military. I pretty much know how to do fix nothing, but I am learning very quickly having bought a home last year. Like I said though, The people who post on Survival Blog have a lot of good ideas, some are a little nuts, but there is some good stuff from a variety of people and sources.
SA Friday
01-07-2010, 19:12
Specialists will find themselves marginalized. People who are skilled in multiple disciplines will rise in value. Engineer/chemist/medic/mechanic/warrior/baker/leatherworker......
outside the rules, I know....
Yes, Jack's of all trades will be your better contributors, but you have to have some big giant heads running around too. Without those with higher levels of education in specific skills, progress will take a lot longer. The TV show 'The Colony' showed this IMO. They had a couple of guys that could fix and build anything, but they needed their scientist specialists to get them there faster.
Bailey Guns
01-07-2010, 20:46
I'm gonna take the "Gilligan's Island" approach to this:
General scientist - because he'll be able to make radios and such outta coconuts and make other stuff work.
Agricultural - Because Mary Ann knew about farming, was really hot and wore Daisy Dukes. How can that NOT be helpful after the apocolypse?
Acting - Ginger wasn't as hot as Mary Ann but she'd do in a pinch and I'm a firm believer in redundant systems.
so you are not fond of the Baldwins, Sarandon, Fonda, etc?
and I suppose you want to be Gilligan,,, LOL
Bailey Guns
01-07-2010, 20:53
so you are not fond of the Baldwins, Sarandon, Fonda, etc?
Oh, you just had to ruin it, didn't ya? And no, I ain't fonda Hanoi Jane or any of those other commies.
[Rant1]
....
Acting - Ginger wasn't as hot as Mary Ann but she'd do in a pinch and I'm a firm believer in redundant systems.
"Twins Basil, TWINS!!!"
Oh, you just had to ruin it, didn't ya? And no, I ain't fonda Hanoi Jane or any of those other commies.
[Rant1]
That's my Personal Defense Dude.[Beer]
Bailey Guns
01-07-2010, 21:03
"Twins Basil, TWINS!!!"
Twins will do. [Beer]
SA Friday
01-07-2010, 21:25
I'm gonna take the "Gilligan's Island" approach to this:
General scientist - because he'll be able to make radios and such outta coconuts and make other stuff work.
Agricultural - Because Mary Ann knew about farming, was really hot and wore Daisy Dukes. How can that NOT be helpful after the apocolypse?
Acting - Ginger wasn't as hot as Mary Ann but she'd do in a pinch and I'm a firm believer in redundant systems.
[ROFL1]
This thread was worth it for this one post. That's the funniest stuff I've read in a long time.
theGinsue
01-07-2010, 23:21
(1) The Foxfire Book: Covers lots of essential skills that could be very useful, such as: hog dressing; log cabin building; mountain crafts and foods; planting by the signs; snake lore, hunting tales, faith healing; moonshining; and other affairs of plain living
(2) Some sort of comprehensive argriculture/horticulture book: Knowing how to grow sufficient food to sustain my family/clan will be essential - this is beyond the knowledge I had growing up in rural MO with an annual large family garden.
(3) U.S. Army Survival Manual: covers building emergency shelters, setting small game traps, improvising tools, etc. etc. Excellent all around information.
I've got good hunting, fishing, and standard "Boy Scout" skills as well as a little blacksmithing knowledge (would love lots more knowledge in this area). I also believe that boyer and ferrier skills would be essential as well.
Folks have spoken about medical knowledge. In a true TEOTWAWKI situation, most of the tools we rely on for meeting our medical needs will probably not be available. Someone who had a good understanding of general medicine and homeopathic knowledge will be needed.
Folks have spoken about medical knowledge. In a true TEOTWAWKI situation, most of the tools we rely on for meeting our medical needs will probably not be available. Someone who had a good understanding of general medicine and homeopathic knowledge will be needed.
Oh, I don't know, way back in my previous life as a CDAT Medic in Germany, it was my turn to give the "weekly" classes. One was just standard boring Army text book stuff.. The other though was about
"Emergency surgery with the Swiss" Completely practical uses of the Swiss army knife in surgical applications.. I researched it and did it in a "slightly" humorous way that everybody, including the Plt Sgt and PA were rolling on the floor in laughter..
But, I did learn that it could be done..
Well all seem to agree that some form of agricultural and mechanical types should take the number one and two spots. They would supply food and shelter. What is the other "basic" need? Clothing. I have yet to see mention of women who can sew, bear children, teach basic math/spelling/grammar/reading/etc. So, for my third choice I would like to interpose women as an occupation! Preferrably a "homebound" (archaic word I know) women who knows the ways of canning, sewing, etc.
No offense, I just don't want to be stuck in a TEOTWAWKI situation with a bunch of men that don't shower! HAHA.
SigShooter
01-08-2010, 10:26
I'd say it has more to do with the person than the curriculum. Clearly technical or science based fields will fare FAR better than lib arts, but it still relies on a persons ability to apply that knowledge in a wide variety of situations.
IE. How many of you know engineers that can barely tie their shoes? or teachers that could fix many cars, repair many homes, have a basic knowledge of orienteering, etc...
Sure. Medical, farming, etc is important, but so is the ability to find a way to generate electricity and purify water. Not to mention mostly lost arts like working wood or stone by hand, or blacksmithing.
We live in a remarkably interconnected society, and there are precious few people that could do it even in small groups.
Folks have spoken about medical knowledge. In a true TEOTWAWKI situation, most of the tools we rely on for meeting our medical needs will probably not be available. Someone who had a good understanding of general medicine and homeopathic knowledge will be needed.Couldn't agree more, I work in medicine and have been slowly climbing the food chain, frankly a experienced EMT would probably be your best bet, which is where I started, as they are trained to be flexible and use what they have and given a broad and basic understanding of the body. As I got higher up the food chain, I realize, its not like I am gonna be able to start I.V.s for very long and push all kinds of fancy meds and run ECGs all day, but I could still splint things like crazy.
in terms of education and the OP
1.) agriculture, with a focus on people like hobby farmers and ranchers who don't know ranching from a helicopter or farming from a combine on 3,000,000 acres of the same crop.
2.) engineers, in as many types as I could get, to keep running what was had/found/gotten, or build what we needed. Focus on chemical and mechanical
3.) Wildland management, as its the best education I can find that means "mountain man." Some education in what the animals are going to do and where they are going to be as well as some education in hunting and gathering, i.e. "can I eat this and not die?"
I like the idea of medical education (as I have it, and I am selfish) but in my opinion most people who would need medical help that would require that much help from a person with that much education would probably die anyways. I think these three types would stand to save the most lives per person
KevDen2005
01-08-2010, 10:40
(1) The Foxfire Book: Covers lots of essential skills that could be very useful, such as: hog dressing; log cabin building; mountain crafts and foods; planting by the signs; snake lore, hunting tales, faith healing; moonshining; and other affairs of plain living
(2) Some sort of comprehensive argriculture/horticulture book: Knowing how to grow sufficient food to sustain my family/clan will be essential - this is beyond the knowledge I had growing up in rural MO with an annual large family garden.
(3) U.S. Army Survival Manual: covers building emergency shelters, setting small game traps, improvising tools, etc. etc. Excellent all around information.
I think those are good books, The US Army Survival Book has a ton of good info, but I like the SAS Encyclopedia of Survival by Barry Davies (ISBN 0-9666771-5-3 if anyone is looking for it). I think there is more diverse information in the book and has a lot of color pictures (which makes me happy) I can't figure anything out with a picture...
theGinsue
01-08-2010, 10:48
...the SAS Encyclopedia of Survival by Barry Davies (ISBN 0-9666771-5-3 if anyone is looking for it). I think there is more diverse information in the book and has a lot of color pictures...
I forgot about that one...excellent resource.
I'm a snob... they have to be full color pictures... Cause let me tell you a story...
There's this thing that looks like poison ivy but it's not. Then there is poison ivy. When you're using a book with black and white pencil drawings... bad things can happen! HAHA
I'm a snob... they have to be full color pictures... Cause let me tell you a story...
There's this thing that looks like poison ivy but it's not. Then there is poison ivy. When you're using a book with black and white pencil drawings... bad things can happen! HAHA
Like when one uses it for TP? [Help]
SA Friday
01-08-2010, 12:30
Ginsue, the question is which three educational backgrounds will be the most valued, not which three books. You have failed to follow directions, no room for you in my beacon-of-hope community.[Tooth]
theGinsue
01-08-2010, 13:38
You see, this is what I get for getting behind in my Forum reading and trying to scan over the various threads/posts to get back up to date.
(1) Agricultural (focus on smaller scale)
(2) Medical (focus on general medicine and homeopathic treatments)
(3) Blacksmithing
Can I get my slot back in your beacon-of-hope community?
Bailey Guns
01-08-2010, 13:43
SAFriday (in his best Soup Nazi voice):
"No slot for you!"
What benefits do you imagine Blacksmithing will have in this scenario? Also, the other part of the rules was that you have to be able to obtain a BA or BS in the field. Can you get a BS in Blacksmithing?
GoldFinger
01-08-2010, 13:54
What benefits do you imagine Blacksmithing will have in this scenario? Also, the other part of the rules was that you have to be able to obtain a BA or BS in the field. Can you get a BS in Blacksmithing?
Stu, I think you read it wrong. He said that it can't be education any higher than a BA or BS.
There was a minimum stipulation as well though, or else a Navy Seal training would qualify.
Here we go:
The educational field must be a field that one can get a higher education in from an educ stu is right ational institution. Consider the maximum level of education is a BS or BA. No masters or PhD level degrees. Navy seal doesn't meet this criteria, but a Gunsmithing cert would. Be realistic with the educational background.
This one is pasted over to much I think, but Teaching is a good skill to have. If knowledge is not passed on then we are doomed, and it's a skill that few can do well.
GoldFinger
01-08-2010, 14:02
I may get beat with a pickup truck for this, but another talent I coud see valuable (at some point) would be someone fluent in World History or.... Politics. Now before you throw the truck at me let me, think about the value of creating "order" and estabilishing commerce with other communities. Of course this would be a TEOTWAWKI, worst-case, scenario where your talking a breakdown of society to small communities. You'd probably see a long period of survivial of the fitest, but eventually cooperation would settle in as a better means of advancement for all communities. Hence, value in people familiar with historical trends and emerging politics.
Ok, throw the truck[DriveBy]
...Teaching is a good skill...that few can do well.
Amen to that... Good Lord, of all the idiots in the world, surely at least 60% of them are teachers...
*I'm not bashing, remember I am liscenced to teach as well.
theGinsue
01-08-2010, 14:55
What benefits do you imagine Blacksmithing will have in this scenario? Also, the other part of the rules was that you have to be able to obtain a BA or BS in the field. Can you get a BS in Blacksmithing?
I don't know what sort of official education opportunities exist for smithing, but in a true TEOTWAWKI situation, I would expect that the power grids/plants would be offline. Fuel to power automobiles could be expected to be limited as well. I would also expect that plenty of items would be breaking and certain items would need to be fabricated to provide basic essentials. Given that petroleum (gas) would be difficult or impossible to obtain, planting crops would need to be performed either by hand, or by use of horse drawn implements. Unless you raid a pioneers museum, you'd need someone who could fabricate the horse drawn plows, tillers, etc. Homes would need to have their furnaces replaced with wood/coal burning stoves for heating and cooking. Someone would have to make these items and a "smith" has the knowledge in working with metal to create these items.
I guess a more specific way to ask my question would be: Do you think that black smithing has been replaced by other more modern techniques like welding?
To which I imagine you would respond: Yes, stupid. But since it's the end of the world and there is no electric power and fuel is quickly diminishing, welders won't work anymore, stupid.
:D
You mean being a "Jungle Expert" doesn't get me a slot????
Damn!!.
[Tooth]
SA Friday
01-08-2010, 17:41
I don't know what sort of official education opportunities exist for smithing, but in a true TEOTWAWKI situation, I would expect that the power grids/plants would be offline. Fuel to power automobiles could be expected to be limited as well. I would also expect that plenty of items would be breaking and certain items would need to be fabricated to provide basic essentials. Given that petroleum (gas) would be difficult or impossible to obtain, planting crops would need to be performed either by hand, or by use of horse drawn implements. Unless you raid a pioneers museum, you'd need someone who could fabricate the horse drawn plows, tillers, etc. Homes would need to have their furnaces replaced with wood/coal burning stoves for heating and cooking. Someone would have to make these items and a "smith" has the knowledge in working with metal to create these items.
There would be huge benefits from someone who knows how to manipulate metals the old fashioned way. Modern day blacksmiths utilize a lot of technology. I would imagine the learning curve would be faster, but there would still be a learning curve and a lot of fabrication for a workable furnace.
I don't think fuel would be too difficult to fabricate for a well established community. Biodiesel isn't that tough to make (ethanol, tallow, and lye). Hell, if the hippies can make it... Basic forms of Ethanol are pretty easy to make from corn too as long as you can keep the natives from drinking it.
100-140 years ago, teachers in small rural communities were usually one of the moms from the community, usually with some form of higher education. Some of my (really really old) relatives talked to me about this as they went to a no crap little house on the prairie one room school in Chappell, NE.
No doubt there are a lot of avenues this question can take you. Sometimes it's adventagous to go back to the original question and rethink it. I've done that about half a dozen times on this.
GreenScoutII
01-08-2010, 18:03
Its kind of funny to think about, but my wife's educational background (MBA and CPA) would be just about worthless in this kind of scenario, but all of the redneck skills she learned as a little girl on her grandparents farm would serve us well.
She has the ability to can food, smoke hams and other meats, is a kick ass gardener, and can sew clothing from scratch.
Oh, I think I'd want to bring my pops along too. Cranky old guys who grew up on a farm/ranch and who also have 50+ years gunsmithing experience are always useful!!
SA Friday
01-08-2010, 18:07
I know at least one CPA I would want in the community cuz that boy can flat out shoot and has the gear to make it happen. He has a solid perspective about reality too.
There are lots of people like this in America. But, you're still gonna need some big giant brains around. I'm trying to weed out which brains are the most valuable.
GreenScoutII
01-08-2010, 18:46
Hey Friday, not to take your thread off topic, but I just thought of a book you might enjoy which ties into this theme. It is called Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. It was written in 1948 and is about a post apocolyptic world where the lead character, Isherwood Williams, tries desperately to re establish civilization. It is very similar to Steven King's The Stand, minus the supernatural elements of that book. In fact, King was accused of "ripping off" the story from Stewart. Anyway, it is one of my favorite books. If you are interested in reading it, I will be happy to lend it to you.
Just PM me an addy and I'll mail it to you.
How come there haven't been any votes for sports medicine yet?
No, that's not the one I am thinking of, I'll come back when I remember it.
Its kind of funny to think about, but my wife's educational background (MBA and CPA) would be just about worthless in this kind of scenario, but all of the redneck skills she learned as a little girl on her grandparents farm would serve us well.
She has the ability to can food, smoke hams and other meats, is a kick ass gardener, and can sew clothing from scratch.
Oh, I think I'd want to bring my pops along too. Cranky old guys who grew up on a farm/ranch and who also have 50+ years gunsmithing experience are always useful!!
This is a good point. My IT skills would be worthless, and I grew up too "city boy" for a lot of the other stuff. I'm working on learning more of those skills so that come that time, I can pass it on to my kids. I know it's just a thought experiment and don't forsee a TEOTWAWKI, but it's not at all hard to imagine the slow crumble instead.
Hey Friday, not to take your thread off topic, but I just thought of a book you might enjoy which ties into this theme. It is called Earth Abides by George R. Stewart. It was written in 1948 and is about a post apocolyptic world where the lead character, Isherwood Williams, tries desperately to re establish civilization. It is very similar to Steven King's The Stand, minus the supernatural elements of that book. In fact, King was accused of "ripping off" the story from Stewart. Anyway, it is one of my favorite books. If you are interested in reading it, I will be happy to lend it to you.
It's been a decade or more since I read The Stand, but I didn't think they were all that similar -- the initial scenario IS similar but they deal in vastly different actual plot and timelines. For Earth Abides I thought it was a bit easy for the survivors at first, but he did have a thoughtful take on their interests and their laziness getting the best (worst) of them. I found the ending quite sad. Very definitely worth the read, great philosophical perspective.
two shoes
01-09-2010, 00:45
This is a good point. My IT skills would be worthless, and I grew up too "city boy" for a lot of the other stuff. I'm working on learning more of those skills so that come that time, I can pass it on to my kids.
Better get crackin' or you're fucked... Take them fishing and hunting... hunt with a bow and a gun... Go camping... get them in scouts...
GreenScoutII
01-09-2010, 09:45
This is a good point. My IT skills would be worthless, and I grew up too "city boy" for a lot of the other stuff. I'm working on learning more of those skills so that come that time, I can pass it on to my kids. I know it's just a thought experiment and don't forsee a TEOTWAWKI, but it's not at all hard to imagine the slow crumble instead.
I didn't mean to come off as being insulting. I think education is for most people, the key to success. I'm proud as hell of my wife and what she has accomplished with her education and career. (financial analyst with Hewlitt Packard)
Could you tell me what TEOTWAWKI means?
It's been a decade or more since I read The Stand, but I didn't think they were all that similar -- the initial scenario IS similar but they deal in vastly different actual plot and timelines. For Earth Abides I thought it was a bit easy for the survivors at first, but he did have a thoughtful take on their interests and their laziness getting the best (worst) of them. I found the ending quite sad. Very definitely worth the read, great philosophical perspective.
Both were fascinating books.
The End Of The World As We Know It
I had to look it up.
KevDen2005
01-09-2010, 10:18
This is a good point. My IT skills would be worthless, and I grew up too "city boy" for a lot of the other stuff. I'm working on learning more of those skills so that come that time, I can pass it on to my kids. I know it's just a thought experiment and don't forsee a TEOTWAWKI, but it's not at all hard to imagine the slow crumble instead.
It is never too late to start learning new things. I wouldn't say I am too much of a country boy even though I sometimes wish that I was more of one. Just get out there and start practicing, I bet you could find dozens of people on here that would be more than happy to take you out and show you how to make a fire and tie knots and stuff like that. Also remember to practice, some skills you lose if you don't use, I am also guilty of this.
1) Survival manual of some sort
2) How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time (http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1263056016&sr=8-1-spell)
3) Anarchists cookbook (not everyone will be nice)
SA Friday
01-09-2010, 19:46
1) Survival manual of some sort
2) How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time (http://www.amazon.com/How-Brew-Everything-Right-First/dp/0937381888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1263056016&sr=8-1-spell)
3) Anarchists cookbook (not everyone will be nice)
Yes William, you too will not make the cut for my Eutopian commune after the world swirls the bowl. Cannot follow directions.
Yes William, you too will not make the cut for my Eutopian commune after the world swirls the bowl. Cannot follow directions.
Bummer, guess you lost your brewer. Will have to reread your post.
I'd be happy with a good old rancher or Dairy farmer with years of practical can do its.
And I used to know a man who could grow decent carrots, veggies and fruit trees in the area.
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