If the SHTF, what educations will be the most valued

[Tora]

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]

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

[BigBear]

...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]

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.

[Irving]

I guess a more specific way to ask my question would be: Do you think that black smithing has been replaced by other more modern techniques like welding?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.

[Marlin]

You mean being a "Jungle Expert" doesn't get me a slot????


Damn!!.

[SA Friday]

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]

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]

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]

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.