We are here, it's happening now!

[Haertig]

It would seem that Noah didn't get that email.

He was too old at the time to remember how to use a computer.

 

[Tirediron]

I am thinking that Pearl picked up on a signal in the air, something more than another variant is afoot, I don't know what it is but something is up, we may all have some tough decisions to make in the near future,
I have a few thoughts for those who may have to travel some distance, let your rig get and stay dirty, maybe find some mismatched rims remove the a center cap or odd hub cap, a little duct tape on a tail light or whatever, make it look a little ratty. the rest of us just need to pull our hats down tight keep spurrin' and hang on for the ride

 

[Sourdough]

I am thinking that Pearl picked up on a signal in the air, something more than another variant is afoot, I don't know what it is but something is up, we may all have some tough decisions to make in the near future,
I have a few thoughts for those who may have to travel some distance, let your rig get and stay dirty, maybe find some mismatched rims remove the a center cap or odd hub cap, a little duct tape on a tail light or whatever, make it look a little ratty. the rest of us just need to pull our hats down tight keep spurrin' and hang on for the ride

Figure to be stopped at roadblocks every few miles, and surrender some guns and food, maybe women that are not to ugly.

 

[Hardcalibres]

Figure to be stopped at roadblocks every few miles, and surrender some guns and food, maybe women that are not to ugly.

So that would mean you could calculate the number of women you would need as a ratio of fuel used.

If you divide your standard mpg by 3, that would give you your estimated wpg (women per gallon).

Using that calculation you could work out the optimal ratio between fuel and women so that you run out of both at the same time.....

 

[Aerindel]

I have a few thoughts for those who may have to travel some distance, let your rig get and stay dirty, maybe find some mismatched rims remove the a center cap or odd hub cap, a little duct tape on a tail light or whatever, make it look a little ratty. the rest of us just need to pull our hats down tight keep spurrin' and hang on for the ride

That sounds like my truck, sure enough. Guess it's already prepped.

 

[Sourdough]

When you run out of not very ugly women, they will take the young boys.

On a serious note: If you departed the instant the SHTF and did not have far to go, you might be OK. I think people are miscalculating all the risks of traveling.

 

[Hardcalibres]

When you run out of not very ugly women, they will take the young boys.

On a serious note: If you departed the instant the SHTF and did not have far to go, you might be OK. I think people are miscalculating all the risks of traveling.

Yes.....seriously......most normal folks do underestimate what driving around in a WROL world could/would be like.

Normal vehicles driven along normal roads by normal people in normal ways without any real tactical awareness/preparedness, would be pretty easy prey and will be tempting targets for raiders.

There are ways to mitigate many of those risks - but even then, the residual risks will be substantial.

But it is also worth noting, that many people would be better off facing those risks, than staying places that are (or have become) unsurvivable.

That is why mobility is an important prep - even for people who "plan to bug in".........

 

[Sourdough]

That is why mobility is an important prep - even for people who "plan to bug in".........

That is why........soon (before it is to late) the true prudent move is to be living in a remote area, with everything you will need for years.

The jest of this thread is.......it feels like accelerating toward eminent serious eruption. How long do people figure to wait........???

 

[Hardcalibres]

........... How long do people figure to wait........???

For most people with Normalcy Bias......until it is too late or indeed until the "big one" punches them in the face.

 

[SoJer]

It is going to be thrilling when the rats realize the ship is sinking.

..I always appreciated This 'epic dichotomy'..



..I mean.. We're not - Quite - there yet, but.. We have 'struck the 'Berg, and Are Irreparably 'taking on water', and it's undeniably, now, simply a matter of Time, as-to when the 'ship' of these 'United States' ends-up.. (and then the 'Real Global panic and mayhem' starts...

..and I posit 'Global', because when the World sees the "Pinnacle of Stability and Prosperity" go up in Flames.. They'll know that it won't 'be long for it to spread to Them' / Their long-term stability-hopes, to vaporize.. Some Countries may 'hold out longer than others' (ie: Switzerland, other similar 'long-time-stable' Countries, perhaps, but.. Ultimately, this World, I believe, Will 'flash over', Everywhere..

Sure, it could 'Come from withOut' (unrest / collapse, Outside the US, that 'domino-effects' Into the US, but.. Seems to me, more like when the US's 'balloon finally pops' - Won't be long for the rest of the World to cave in, also..

Groups are great when:
[Criterion 1) - 10) ] ...
..Those criteria are tough to obtain and will only be possible with very special and rare people...

..You 'taking Applications', by any chance?

I am Supremely Confident that Our Family are 'those caliber of People', but.. Our biggest challenge Isn't "supplies" / skills / ingenuity / Experience and Drive to Survive - nor even 'having our Own BOL' - it's our Force Size, within that Context, to simply 'Get thru the Transition'.. As an astute poster over at the 'Other forum' used to sagely-quip: 'It's the Transition that Kills'.. So True..

..And, we've Been working Very hard to Try and 'mitigate that', thru alliances / possible Integration into a likeminded, small, defensible Community (with some solid skill-sets, to boot, but..) Even that has proved dead ends, because of deeply-ingrained - and ultimately, mortal, Imobservation - Normalcy Biases..

Sad, but.. People are just simply Not Able to realize that you simply Will Not be Able to 'lone wolf it', for very long into 'SHTF'. Frustrating to have ALL the Capabilities / Mentality / Skills & Supplies to Survive.. And be stymied by 'circumstances'.. Just have to 'keep digging' I guess.. (..But, Do Let me know if you ever decide to 'take Applicants'.. We're Exceptionally OK with Scorpions, Spiders and Snakes..

...In a SHTF situation, you have to be able to come to agreements for the sake of lives. It is a risk you may need to take.

I think One of the 'secrets to success' - in Any 'Group' or 'MAG' - is 'Specificity'... And by that I mean, Having a Well-Defined Set of 'Boundaries, Expectations and Parameters', for All.. And, Well-Defined 'Consequences', for breaking / disrespecting them..

..Kind of like we All do / have experienced with a 'Job' / Employer (and, even Clients / Projects, for self-employeds..) All those 'aspects' are (usually) Quite well spelled out in like an 'Employee Handbook' / Contract, etc.. And, the Co's / Projects / situations where there ends-up being 'Problems' - Far more often-than Not - is simply the result of Not having that 'Specificity' / Clear understandings / agreements of those Expectations, Boundaries, et al, in Place..

That, to Me, seems like a 'possible viable Model', for folks looking to Try and 'form MAGs', etc - Specific, Well-defined 'Do's & Don'ts' from the 'Host' ("Employer") - and the Consequences, should the 'Invited party' ("Employee") not follow them / disrespect them, and/or jeopardize the Group OpSec, in Any way, etc.. (and getting 'Fired' just may have to mean that Quite Literally..

.02
jd

 

[Rebecca]

People are just simply Not Able to realize that you simply Will Not be Able to 'lone wolf it', for very long into 'SHTF'. Frustrating to have ALL the Capabilities / Mentality / Skills & Supplies to Survive.. And be stymied by 'circumstances'.. Just have to 'keep digging' I guess..

And others are simply unable to realize that "lone wolfing it" is sometimes the much safer and more reliable option. Or in our case a 2 person group.

Or maybe there is a whole bunch of preppers who go around with their heart on their sleeve, trusting folks after a short period of time. That's going to be regretted one day.

There is exactly 1 person on this entire continent I would fully trust in SHTF. That's it.
So where am I supposed to find this amazing MAG community, neighbourhood that is not going to turn into the Lord of the Flies? Yup I don't think so.
This is even taking into account there are people here I literally and regularly trust with my life during some situations , I still don't think they make reliable SHTF buddies.

 

[TENNGRIZZ]

And others are simply unable to realize that "lone wolfing it" is sometimes the much safer and more reliable option. Or in our case a 2 person group.

Or maybe there is a whole bunch of preppers who go around with their heart on their sleeve, trusting folks after a short period of time. That's going to be regretted one day.

There is exactly 1 person on this entire continent I would fully trust in SHTF. That's it.
So where am I supposed to find this amazing MAG community, neighbourhood that is not going to turn into the Lord of the Flies? Yup I don't think so.
This is even taking into account there are people here I literally and regularly trust with my life during some situations , I still don't think they make reliable SHTF buddies.

Kiddo , the only thing I can tell you is , I'm pretty tough and rough as they come and I know quite a few really tough men and women all with skills , and none of us are planning on going it alone. The only bad part is except for 6 of us who live close. The others will have to travel aways to get the redoubt region if possible. I wish you and yours the best of luck when it happens. And I for one pray it never does. But the winds of change don't feel so inclined.

 

[Rebecca]

Kiddo , the only thing I can tell you is , I'm pretty tough and rough as they come and I know quite a few really tough men and women all with skills , and none of us are planning on going it alone. The only bad part is except for 6 of us who live close. The others will have to travel aways to get the redoubt region if possible. I wish you and yours the best of luck when it happens. And I for one pray it never does. But the winds of change don't feel so inclined.

I know the argument for and against groups. Still doesn't answer how to suddenly trust your neighbourhood not to go feral.
I get where people like Hardcalibres got their team. I and get their trust in each other.
But what I don't get is how preppers will say just build this group of strangers that is supposed not to turn on each other.
Maybe I am just way too cynical.
Sure there are some great reliable people in this town, that I have know for a whole 3 years!! (In other words not at all really) And there are some absolutely the best firefighters I would run into an inferno next to.
But when the food stops coming?
This little town gonna tear its self apart at the seams. My bet is it will pull together, eventually. Not for a good while though.
And besides, some of the best preppers I know are either lone wolf, small family unit, or ex military groups for the MAGS that actually have some kind of realistic chance to work.

 

[TENNGRIZZ]

I know the argument for and against groups. Still doesn't answer how to suddenly trust your neighbourhood not to go feral.
I get where people like Hardcalibres got their team. I and get their trust in each other.
But what I don't get is how preppers will say just build this group of strangers that is supposed not to turn on each other.
Maybe I am just way too cynical.
Sure there are some great reliable people in this town, that I have know for a whole 3 years!! (In other words not at all really) And there are some absolutely the best firefighters I would run into an inferno next to.
But when the food stops coming?
This little town gonna tear its self apart at the seams. My bet is it will pull together, eventually. Not for a good while though.
And besides, some of the best preppers I know are either lone wolf, small family unit, or ex military groups for the MAGS that actually have some kind of realistic chance to work.

I agree being retired/ former military / first responder types helps which we are plus extended family and friends. Just total trust in strangers is a gut instinct thing. And about normal folks going feral fast yep it's going to happen more than most realize or are very comfortable even thinking about. Believe it or not but the criminal elements are already qausi organized way better than most would be very comfortable admitting. Plan accordingly. Remember our government protects the criminal elements for a reason.

 

[goshengirl]

I think one's 'gut instinct' will become an essential tool. Obviously there are those here who are familiar with using theirs - but there are many who need to hone this skill. It may be the difference between life and death.

 

[poltiregist]

My grandson and I spread out covering our survival retreat armed with shotguns one night from a possible intruder , without even communicating with each other on our night time vigilance plans or being aware we were both waiting in the dark for any threat . He was just 16 at that time . I was proud to find out later we were thinking the same , even down to our weapon of choice , the shotguns . A deputy sheriff showed up also that night and also sat in the dark by himself and waited . That is just an example , as all the males and most of the females living on our grounds are quite willing and able to defend against any threat . Were all kin and have known each other from birth . We don't want any others but our own kin when SHTF .

 

[Curmudgeon]

Learning body language, facial expressions, eye movement etc will likely be an asset in a SHTF scenario.

 

[Sourdough]

In a SHTF environment......I don't want them close enough to semi-accurately "guess" if they are male or female.

Learning body language, facial expressions, eye movement etc will likely be an asset in a SHTF scenario.

 

[Supervisor42]

..I mean.. We're not - Quite - there yet, but.. We have 'struck the 'Berg, and Are Irreparably 'taking on water', and it's undeniably, now, simply a matter of Time, as-to when the 'ship' of these 'United States' ends-up.. (and then the 'Real Global panic and mayhem' starts...
..

You can accuse me of 'normalcy-bias' but I do not believe we are headed to Armageddon.
I do believe we are headed for tough times like the Jimmy Carter years.
All the signs are there: shortages, inflation, oil shortage, etc.
History will repeat itself because it has been too long, and many have forgotten what causes it.
We survived that.
For armageddon to happen, it would take something really bizarre, like having a mentally-handicapped person as Commander in Chief of the Military and carrying around the "nuclear briefcase".
The country would never allow that to happen.
...Wait, let me check that .

 

[Pearl]

You can accuse me of 'normalcy-bias' but I do not believe we are headed to Armageddon.
I do believe we are headed for tough times like the Jimmy Carter years.
All the signs are there: shortages, inflation, oil shortage, etc.
History will repeat itself because it has been too long, and many have forgotten what causes it.
We survived that.
For armageddon to happen, it would take something really bizarre, like having a mentally-handicapped person as Commander in Chief of the Military and carrying around the "nuclear briefcase".
The country would never allow that to happen.
...Wait, let me check that .

I'm sticking with the ONE GLOBAL GOVERNMENT happening! I hope YOU are right SuperV!

 

[Supervisor42]

I'm sticking with the ONE GLOBAL GOVERNMENT happening! I hope YOU are right SuperV!

Well, we do have one good thing going for us:
It would be nearly impossible for him to enter the entire launch codes, completely correct.
...even if he remembered where he left the briefcase.

Global World Government? I don't think they would want anything to do with us at all.
Would you take in a relative that you knew was already in tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt?
No.

 

[Bacpacker]

Super, many things are similar to the late 70s from an economic stand point. But so much else isn't. Our manufacturing base to a large degree has been moved off shore. China has turned into a nightmare and largely at our doing. Middle East is about the same, just better weapons all around.
I won't lay money either way

 

[Aerindel]

This little town gonna tear its self apart at the seams.

Yep.

There are A LOT of old grudges in my little town. When law goes away, I can see a lot of people going out the first night and settling old scores. There are feuds that go back generations here.

I'm glad I'm in the hills outside of town. That way I can drive down, hit the people I need to, and retreat back up to the trees

 

[Sourdough]

If your paying attention......our allies, who were only extremely reluctant allies in the first place, are carefully distancing them selves from America. They are being careful, they are doing it slowly. The end result is America will become more and more isolated. The biggest effect will be the loss of the ability to bully other countries. The Russia/China alliance has Europe under "TOTAL" control. Because of control of fuel and natural gas and electric, they can slowly choke Europe, and gradually bring Europe into the Russia/China/Iran alliance.

I suspect we are grossly underestimating the descent where America could gravitate towards a Venezuela prototype.

 

[Pearl]

If your paying attention......our allies, who were only extremely reluctant allies in the first place, are carefully distancing them selves from America. They are being careful, they are doing it slowly. The end result is America will become more and more isolated. The biggest effect will be the loss of the ability to bully other countries. The Russia/China alliance has Europe under "TOTAL" control. Because of control of fuel and natural gas and electric, they can slowly choke Europe, and gradually bring Europe into the Russia/China/Iran alliance.

I suspect we are grossly underestimating the descent where America could gravitate towards a Venezuela prototype.

That could easily happen!!

 

[Magus]

Is happening. I know a couple, this is what they tried to escape!

there are world leader meetings coming up soon, be a hell of a time for China to hit Tiawan and release Vid MK II.

 

[Neb]

You can accuse me of 'normalcy-bias' but I do not believe we are headed to Armageddon.
I do believe we are headed for tough times like the Jimmy Carter years.
All the signs are there: shortages, inflation, oil shortage, etc.
History will repeat itself because it has been too long, and many have forgotten what causes it.
We survived that.
For armageddon to happen, it would take something really bizarre, like having a mentally-handicapped person as Commander in Chief of the Military and carrying around the "nuclear briefcase".
The country would never allow that to happen.
...Wait, let me check that .

I agree with the Jimmy Carter era.

Thanks to all with ideas how to feed the needy. Best bet would be to pre-deploy stuff before things get bad.

Ben

 

[TENNGRIZZ]

Is happening. I know a couple, this is what they tried to escape!

there are world leader meetings coming up soon, be a hell of a time for China to hit Tiawan and release Vid MK II.

The invasion of Tiawan is going to happen. like I've been saying for a long while and so is the invasion of s.korea , Japan , and I'm pretty sure China and Pakistan are going to double team India. And the Wild card is Iran , but that guess is just too easy. We all know.

 

[SoJer]

And others are simply unable to realize that "lone wolfing it" is sometimes the much safer and more reliable option. Or in our case a 2 person group.

Seems I may have 'touched a nerve'.. That's cool, that's how 'iron sharpens iron'..

I, too, subscribe to the 'Less is More' ideology, but.. What I meant in That post, was more within the context of the 'Transitional Period', which - Imo, Will Be the Most Difficult time, for Most people (sure, outside of '10 yrs into SHTF, if Nothing is Growing / available, etc, and All-one's 'resources' are exhausted, etc.. 'Starving to death' is pretty miserable, I hear.. Anyway... "It's the Transition that Kills" is Our #1 issue..

Still, I do posit that - 'Qualified Alliances' / MAGs, Can-be a solution, for those of us Not-Yet In / ensconced in our 'BOL's.. I assume You guys Are, and - sure - in That Context, 'bugging In' / shutting Any 'non-proven' / vetted Outsiders, Out is yah - 'Smart Policy'.. Was Not, in any way, suggesting a Neighborhood / Community 'Love in' as a solution...

I know the argument for and against groups. Still doesn't answer how to suddenly trust your neighbourhood not to go feral.
..what I don't get is how preppers will say just build this group of strangers that is supposed not to turn on each other.

..And, again - IF someone is Doing it 'This way'? ^ Yer Doing it Wrong... But, I Do believe that it Is Possible to 'qualify' members for a 'MAG', but.. Yah, that's Not happening, ie: '10 minutes after SHTF'.. (at least not if SHTF = Societal Collapse, etc.. Earthquake / Flood / Hurricane, etc? Sure.. Neighbors Often 'pull together' in such 'contexts', but.. As you say.. 'when the Food / Water and/or Fuel runs out'.. All bets are Off..

Maybe I am just way too cynical.

Cynicism is How You Survive Communism.. And much, otherwise..

.02
jd

 

[poltiregist]

You can accuse me of 'normalcy-bias' but I do not believe we are headed to Armageddon.
I do believe we are headed for tough times like the Jimmy Carter years.
All the signs are there: shortages, inflation, oil shortage, etc.
History will repeat itself because it has been too long, and many have forgotten what causes it.
We survived that.
For armageddon to happen, it would take something really bizarre, like having a mentally-handicapped person as Commander in Chief of the Military and carrying around the "nuclear briefcase".
The country would never allow that to happen.
...Wait, let me check that .

The difference this time is the political coup last November 2020 . The conquerors will never relinquish control . All future presidential elections are now set up to be rigged elections . The spiral downwards since the coup is only getting started . Even if there was a fair election 3 years from now the damage done to this country will be irreversible .