Technology and TEOTWAWKI

[Melesse]

Quick acronym definitions for those who are confused -

TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It
BOB - Bug Out Bag (Also called a GOOD - Get Out Of Dodge Bag)

So, I was reviewing my latest set of disaster preparedness plans, and it occurred to me that I had made no provision for electricity for my computer(s). So I began surfing Amazon and putting together a wish list consisting of solar cells and transformers, going so far as trying to figure out how many deep cycle batteries and solar cells I would need to keep an access point and a couple laptops going.

But what good would a computer do in a true TEOTWAWKI scenario? A scenario such as this generally implies that society is seriously interrupted for the foreseeable future. Possibly not a complete breakdown as is generally imagine in zombie movies, but widespread famine, power failures, lack of running water, that sort of thing. Where life's fragility is suddenly much more apparent due to the interruption of supply chains and all of the threads that keep us suspended over the depths.

The only immediate use of the computer that I could come up with was as a space efficient repository of knowledge... PDF's of machinery that could be hand built, how to farm, diagrams of mechanisms that might be useful. But even here, a paper copy would be preferable in many cases.

Are there any real uses for computers if we should return to a pre-electric economy for any length of time? Is it even worthwhile to do more than enough preparation for one laptop if you want it for amusement (One set of solar panels, one deep cycle battery, one transformer)? Any reason for hardened and portable network access points?

Man, I must be really bored at work today to be pondering this lol.

M.

[streaker69]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Something that I've been working on myself is I've been compiling a library of general survival information. From electronic stuff like how to build a Tesla coil, to more survival things like how to properly preserve seeds from one season to the next.

If something very bad does happen, we won't have access to the tubes to get this information, so I felt it was best to have it stored locally. It would seem that more and more young people are relying upon the internet for all their answers and have forgotten what books are for.

[Thorn]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Define the length of time, and you might be able to come up with something. Most of my short term disaster planning revolves around electrical power loss, since it occurs here so frequently. During the last long-term power loss/weather-related natural disaster (lasted a week), I can tell you that I missed having a laptop for news and communication.

On the other hand, if your talking about the real TEOTWAWKI, post-apocalyptic, Max Max and The Great Humongous scenario, then a laptop is waaaay down the list. Well below things like MREs, campstoves, guns, and a paper copy of Five Acres and Independence.

A thought just occurred: Given the number of natural disasters that have occurred in the last decade (the current flooding in Georgia, Katrina, Hurricane Ike hitting Galveston in 2008, etc., etc., etc.), are there any known results from survivors on what worked (and didn't work) in a BOB? Every time we see one of these things where evacuations are occurring, those people featured on TV as they flee from an area seem to have everything but the kitchen sink; most of which seem impractical as hell to me. Of course, those people who are well prepared are probably not nearly as newsworthy as someone who depends on Big-Mommy Government to save them in their total panic, so we're not apt to see them on TV. Still, some of them must to have been in these situations (and probably survived much better than their ill-prepared neighbors), and I would think their insights would be invaluable to the rest of us.

[Melesse]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Yea, I was thinking a dedicated repository of knowledge necessary to survive. I can't even imagine a situation where there is a complete loss of society (barring zombies or 99% lethal plagues...but I'll be dead too then), but rather where people are forced to scrounge and make do for a period of time before society reasserts itself (months, years).

I did just see someone on survivalistboards.com who posted about their media set up. Several 12v batteries, two 10 watt solar panels, a media player of some sort, a picoprojector and a sound system for movies every night. I can see how that would be a HUGE moral booster during a disaster, so I might try and set something like that up for myself. Certainly less daunting than trying to find enough power for my normal tv/dvd player.

That would be a weird scenario....where power is out for the majority of things, but people still maintain their small, high tech handheld items based off of solar power. Weird images.

M.

[streaker69]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Y

I did just see someone on survivalistboards.com who posted about their media set up. Several 12v batteries, two 10 watt solar panels, a media player of some sort, a picoprojector and a sound system for movies every night. I can see how that would be a HUGE moral booster during a disaster, so I might try and set something like that up for myself. Certainly less daunting than trying to find enough power for my normal tv/dvd player.



M.

I think all of that is a completely and total waste of time, money and resources. In the case of a total meltdown there's more important things than watching DVD's. Like fresh water, finding and preserving food, and protecting yourself from the elements.

[Thorn]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

I think all of that is a completely and total waste of time, money and resources. In the case of a total meltdown there's more important things than watching DVD's. Like fresh water, finding and preserving food, and protecting yourself from the elements.

I have to disagree.. In a total meltdown, sure, movies will be down the list. However, most disasters are short term (< 1 month). During our week without power, our issues were keeping ourselves, the dogs, and the pipes from freezing. After that, the biggest problem was going stir crazy. It would have been nice to have some movies to watch.

[Melesse]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

I think all of that is a completely and total waste of time, money and resources. In the case of a total meltdown there's more important things than watching DVD's. Like fresh water, finding and preserving food, and protecting yourself from the elements.

I dunno. It would depend. If you were just beginning to prep, then obviously those would be far more important than making sure you were able to watch movies.

You'll notice though that I said that it might be a "HUGE moral booster." I wouldn't encourage it to be even a nightly event, but I would argue that entertainment and frivolity are what makes life worth living. People need something to look forward to.

Again, though, I would think that this would be a very low priority, definitely following food, water, shelter and protection.

Thorn,

Generally the same around here. We're not in a flood plain, east coast so no real worries about earthquakes or volcanoes. It's pretty much winter storms and power interruptions. There are a couple big survivalist boards I lurk on, and I haven't really seen much from people who have been through those. Interesting point though, I wonder why? I was recently reading an account from a citizen of an Eastern European country that recently melted down. I wish I could remember where I found it, but he said the thing that most people wanted, that was worth it's weight in gold....was toilet paper.

M.

[streaker69]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

I have to disagree.. In a total meltdown, sure, movies will be down the list. However, most disasters are short term (< 1 month). During our week without power, our issues were keeping ourselves, the dogs, and the pipes from freezing. After that, the biggest problem was going stir crazy. It would have been nice to have some movies to watch.

Maybe it's just me, but the first time I read that I thought you said "pigs".

[Thorn]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

There are a couple big survivalist boards I lurk on, and I haven't really seen much from people who have been through those. Interesting point though, I wonder why?

Maybe they don't want to brag. Dunno, but like I said, the insights of people who've used a BOB in a real situation would seem to be worth a lot.

I was recently reading an account from a citizen of an Eastern European country that recently melted down. I wish I could remember where I found it, but he said the thing that most people wanted, that was worth it's weight in gold....was toilet paper.

M.

That makes a lot of sense. I'll be right back. I'm heading to Costco for the 480-roll pallet.

@streaker: It's just you. A good analyst might help with that.

[valkyrie]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Something that I've been working on myself is I've been compiling a library of general survival information. From electronic stuff like how to build a Tesla coil, to more survival things like how to properly preserve seeds from one season to the next.

If something very bad does happen, we won't have access to the tubes to get this information, so I felt it was best to have it stored locally. It would seem that more and more young people are relying upon the internet for all their answers and have forgotten what books are for.

Care to share what some of those works might be? I am also planning for the contingency that I may have to vacate my current abode and relocate in the event of a meltdown. I am relying on my OLPC (which runs on both solar and hand crank) to store information of that nature that I may need.

Regards,

valkyrie
__________________________________________________ ____
sapere aude

[streaker69]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Care to share what some of those works might be? I am also planning for the contingency that I may have to vacate my current abode and relocate in the event of a meltdown. I am relying on my OLPC (which runs on both solar and hand crank) to store information of that nature that I may need.

Once I have enough compiled that it's worthwhile sharing, I'll share them. I just started it the other week, oddly enough, while watching The Colony on Discovery.

[valkyrie]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Once I have enough compiled that it's worthwhile sharing, I'll share them. I just started it the other week, oddly enough, while watching The Colony on Discovery.

Great! Thank you! In return I will post some stuff I have or have found out about things like fresh water, seed banks, first aid necessities and the like.

Regards,

valkyrie
________________________________________________
sapere aude

[xor]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Please tell me this has nothing to do with 2012?

xor

[streaker69]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

Please tell me this has nothing to do with 2012?

xor

No, I believe it's about surviving until then. ;)

[xor]

Re: Technology and TEOTWAWKI

No, I believe it's about surviving until then. ;)

Haha :-)

I suggest getting an H1N1 flu shot for survival preparation. A doctor once told me that "microbes ruled the world, not people".

xor