The more technology increases, the more dependent we become ...

[dogtag]

It seems as if a mere three week or so government shutdown
is going to be the end of civilization as we know it.
Planes will be falling out of the sky, starving hordes will
be ransacking Safeway and it will be only the most heavily
armed who might survive doomsday.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/doomsday-scenario-here-s-what-happens-if-shutdown-drags-n955946

But: my SS check came, my lights are still on, same unadulterated crap
is playing on the TV, so I'm not going to panic just yet.
Might check the Mossberg though.

[Mark in Ottawa]

My very real fear is that we have become so dependent on computer and similar technology that we are now totally vulnerable if it gets disrupted. In particular, it would seem that two nuclear explosions about 400 miles up, one over New York State and one in a south west state would mess up most of the electrical system in North America and would destroy most electronics. Modern vehicles depend on computers as do almost all communications systems. Very few of these systems have been protected, although I believe some have been. In such an event, there will be no food distribution possible and since modern farms are highly automated, it would be very difficult to plant new crops. Starvation will be rampant and a large segment of the population will die

This may seem an unlikely scenario but the idiot in North Korea is playing with missiles and nukes and in a short while will be able to carry out such an attack

It may be that the preppers will be proven right. In the meantime, if you have an old car or motorcycle, it might be a good idea to hang on to it.

[togor]

In the meantime, if you have an old car or motorcycle, it might be a good idea to hang on to it.

So as to make them available to the local emergency council, of course. They will be of no use to the private citizen without gasoline or diesel, which will be rationed, and with only official traffic on the roads during the emergency. Disaster preparations are a good thing, but beyond a certain point of provisioning the individual is just doing the disaster prep for others, including unknown strangers, in addition to themself. In such situations one can only deviate so far from the mean.

[dogtag]

So as to make them available to the local emergency council, of course. They will be of no use to the private citizen without gasoline or diesel, which will be rationed, and with only official traffic on the roads during the emergency. Disaster preparations are a good thing, but beyond a certain point of provisioning the individual is just doing the disaster prep for others, including unknown strangers, in addition to themself. In such situations one can only deviate so far from the mean.

All those fancy new cars that won't start will be full of gas,
so at least they'll be good for something besides barricades.

Great book describes life after an EMP attack. (One second after)

[togor]

All those fancy new cars that won't start will be full of gas,
so at least they'll be good for something besides barricades.

Modern cars have anti-siphon baffles in them, and plastic tanks, true. The gas will eventually be recovered, yes, but people will also gravitate towards running cars like flies to dung. And the question remains....where to go?

[JB White]

Peppers will outlast the unprepared by how long? Someone flips a switch after a year or so and all the problems go away by morning?

[dogtag]

And the question remains....where to go?

Where to go ? Somewhere else of course.
Just look at any freeway - it's full of cars going somewhere else.
The people who were here are going there,
and the people who were there are coming here.

[Vern Humphrey]

Peppers will outlast the unprepared by how long? Someone flips a switch after a year or so and all the problems go away by morning?

Depends on what you're prepping for. Here in the Ozarks it's power outages caused by ice storms or other natural forces. In '08-'09 my wife and I spend a solid month out of power in a 12-month period. A generator, Coleman stove and lantern and wood burning stove in the basement got us through nicely.

[Allen]

A few years ago, I forgot if it was Chicago or NYC but they had a power outage in the middle of summer. It only lasted a few days but those interviewed on the news thought the world was coming to an end.

[dogtag]

A few years ago, I forgot if it was Chicago or NYC but they had a power outage in the middle of summer. It only lasted a few days but those interviewed on the news thought the world was coming to an end.

Actually, the World is coming to an end. Long ways off, about 5 billion years.

[S.A. Boggs]

Depends on what you're prepping for. Here in the Ozarks it's power outages caused by ice storms or other natural forces. In '08-'09 my wife and I spend a solid month out of power in a 12-month period. A generator, Coleman stove and lantern and wood burning stove in the basement got us through nicely.

I feel sorry for those who live in towns/cities as once the government run services stop then mayhem starts. Electricity is the least of their worries, no sewage/water services provided to the homes. What good is stocked up water/food if the toilet doesn't work? I have a wood stove that I am able to cook on and woods surround me not to mention other resource and we now keep a low profile for future reference.
Sam

[Vern Humphrey]

Same here. I can last a looooong time on my farm.

[dogtag]

Same here. I can last a looooong time on my farm.

But it won't be loooong before you get visitors.

However bad you think it could be - it will be worse.

[Vern Humphrey]

But it won't be loooong before you get visitors.

However bad you think it could be - it will be worse.

Let me put it this way -- before they reach me, they'll run into my neighbors. And I'll have advance warning.

[S.A. Boggs]

Let me put it this way -- before they reach me, they'll run into my neighbors. And I'll have advance warning.

S.O.S.
Sam