It occurs to me that the writings of Commander Zero may very accurately be referred to as “Zerotica”. Im mildly amused by this.
Its a stereotype that us ‘survivalist’/’preparedness’ types are heavy into guns. Fairly accurate sterotype, sure… But about a year ago I decided that I was prety much where I wanted to be in regards to my personal weapons and since that part of my plans was about 90% done, I could focus on other things, which is what Ive been doing. Oh sure, there are still a few gun-related things I want to get (more ammo mostly) but I’m satisfied that my primary and secondary collections of thundertoys would be enough to get me through pretty much everything.
So wheres the focus these days? Food. More food. And still more food. Its a priority thing. Food is a pain to deal with because, unlike guns and tools, theres a shelf-life and a need for rotation…just when you think youre done stocking up, you have to start all over again because of expiration dates. Rotating food out isnt that big a deal…its just an annoyance. Most of the really long term stuff (the #10 cans of freeze-dried) are good for upwards of over twenty years…so Ive at least another ten on them before I even have to worry. The grains store well enough that I dont really have to give them any thoughts either.
Theres still other stuff that needs to be ‘beefed up’. Radio communications, fuel storage, electricity production, transportation and that sort of thing, but Im working on that as best I can. However, at my current level of preparedness, Im pretty sure I could easily weather anything lasting several weeks to a month or two. Needless to say, a two day blackout or something of that ilk would barely disrupt things at home.
But, my personal ‘worst case scenario’ isnt some sort of blackout, earthquake or other event…rather its a creeping Depression-like economic calamity. Remember the 80’s when the Soviet Union was in its glory? Citizens lined up for toilet paper, grocery stores were almost always empty, fuel availability was spotty, every winter people were huddled around tiny stoves trying to keep warm, that sort of thing…naturally, if some sort of economic collapse doesnt occur (and Id be quite happy if it didnt) I’d still be prepared for all the lesser events (blizzards, power failures, etc).
Of course, everyone has their own reasons for preparing…some do it out of compulsions (the need to ‘control’ their surroundings), some out of religious reasons (Mormons, for example), some out of political beliefs (a large amount of Libertarians, etc)…my personal reason is probably the a little of the first and alot of the third. I dont like being dependent on others for my safety and well being..and the idea of some government flunky with a clipboard handing me a wad of food stamps, a bus pass and a housing allowance just strikes me as nightmarish. Plus, I take a dim view of people whose attitude is that the ‘government will provide’. Gov’s job isnt to feed, house and clothe you…govs job is to protect your rights to earn your own food, housing and clothing.
And don’t forget your bunker!
Easily one of the worst designs for a bunker Ive seen in a while. Its basically an armored treehouse. Screw that. Wheres the re-bar? Wheres the poured concrete? Wheres the escape tunnels? Bah! That aint a bunker, thats a kids playhouse.
You think these have potential for bunker usage?
http://www.monolithicdome.com/
Very much so. Ive been a fan of these things for years. An earth-sheltered one would be the almost perfect ideal. They are also pretty bullet resistant as well as fire-resistant. I’m very taken with them.
I too have followed their development for years. If you actually end up down Houston way this spring, I’ll meet you down there and drive back through D/FW with you. (if of course, you have no objections.) In doing so, we literally drive right by their home factory. Maybe we could time it right and take a tour, get some paperwork, etc.
Heh, if you haven’t already, check my latest post. I found a compound for you and the Empress.
Given your personal Worst Case Scenario, what do you think about http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net?
it reminds me of that carnival ride called “Gravitron”
Hmmmm….not bad. Just wish it wasnt in such an obvious location. has her own ideas on what she wants in a house but whose to say you cant have a house *and* a bunker…(with a really neat secret escape/acces tunnel and all other sortsa cool stuff.)
When I got
Upper MexicoTexas I will be quite certain to let you know, belive me….I don’t care if the house is underground. In fact, I don’t have all that many structural preferences at all. I’m pretty easy going about it so long as space and layout are nice. 🙂
I dont buy it. The author seems too quick to discount the possibility of alternative fuel development. Additionally, I think that long before the oil dried up the market forces would only increase the odds of an alternative fuel being developed. When gasoline or oil shoots to $100 a gallon because there isnt any more of it you’ll see all manner of alternatives coming to light.
I also find it hard to imagine that in the short span of my lifetime (70 years, start to finish if the stats are right) I’ll see all the oil on the planet disappear. Theres still huge amounts of ocean that could, when the technology permits, be opened to deep-sea drilling, theres still whatever the hell the Russians are sitting on…
Nope, I dont see an end to the planets supply of oil in my lifetime. Not naturally, anyway. I supose theres room for artificial manipulation of the supply, but all wells on the planet sucking up nothing but air? Nope.
I’m not entirely convinced of it myself. Granted, I can see a real oil crisis (as opposed to the OPEC-controlled ones of the past) happening within my life time, but aside from a massive calamity occuring overnight, I think alternative fuels are making enough headway to balance out anything that might occur, and we’ve made enough synthetics to be used as lubricants, etc…
Anyway, I just wasn’t sure if you’d seen it.