Living in Modern Times

[Mike]

We all have access to the World, via the Telephone and
the Internet, we all can buy exotic foods, from all around
the World.

I know what it was like when I was a boy, there was not a
lot of anything, bananas and oranges were exotic, but they
were very scarce and there were queues at every grocery
and butchers shops, also at the bakers, just for the basics.

These musings got me to thinking, how, or even if, we could
cope today, due to a prolonged power outage, or loss of the
internet, supermarkets would close I think, because there are
no mechanical tills today, their head office couldn't change
any prices, there are not very many staff members left since,
self service tills were introduced.

Dark thoughts indeed, I don't know why, as I am usually OK,
but it is something to think about, especially if, like me, you
live in a city with no vegetable garden.

Mike.

 

[Sippican]

We all have access to the World, via the Telephone and
the Internet, we all can buy exotic foods, from all around
the World.

I know what it was like when I was a boy, there was not a
lot of anything, bananas and oranges were exotic, but they
were very scarce and there were queues at every grocery
and butchers shops, also at the bakers, just for the basics.

These musings got me to thinking, how, or even if, we could
cope today, due to a prolonged power outage, or loss of the
internet, supermarkets would close I think, because there are
no mechanical tills today, their head office couldn't change
any prices, there are not very many staff members left since,
self service tills were introduced.

Dark thoughts indeed, I don't know why, as I am usually OK,
but it is something to think about, especially if, like me, you
live in a city with no vegetable garden.

Mike.

My job for decades was to think these type of dark thoughts and provide solutions. To see the true impacts you have to look at the domino effect of different scenarios.
For those reasons, I'm a prepper. Stocked food lasting 25 years, 100 gals of water, garden, solar panels for emergencies, generator for the first week, cash, home protection.
If its any consolation, the government has been working on projects that address some of the worst possible events.

 

[Paco Dennis]

There is 45 million dollar Intentional Community in Alaska, that keeps it's location a secret. It is incredible the lengths this community goes through to be prepared when the SHTF. Is this a new and future trend?

Dragonfly Community​

Wasilla, Alaska, United States​

• Updated on: Jun 7, 2023 (about 2 months ago)
• Created on: Mar 30, 2017 (over 6 years ago)

Mission Statement​

Together, We Prepare, Survive and Thrive.

Community Description​

We are a cohesive group of like-minded singles, couples, elders, teens and children that by unity have come together to prepare for the coming times of financial hardship and cataclysmic events that could challenge our way of living as we know it today – sharing knowledge, skills, resources and labor to ensure our future and well-being.
We are looking for sound, responsible, service-minded individuals to join our community who are willing to share positive skills. Our current members have a variety of skills including maintenance, farm work (livestock and agriculture), teachers, doctors, permaculture, mechanics, electricians, paramedics, dentists, and security, all professions and skills are accepted.
All faiths, cultures and individuals who are passionate about preserving life and taking care of day-to-day operations are encouraged to join.
We accept well socialized dogs, cats and birds.

https://dragonflycommunity.net/faq/%20​

 

[Myrtle]

I had two different shopping experiences regularly as a child.

One was in the tiny town that supplied the ranchers and railroad workers and was still called a general store and it really was. You could get everything in there from penny candy, a variety of food to tools and some clothing. That was for when we needed something right now.

Then there was the weekly trip to a town 20 miles away to shop at a big supermarket for the better prices and variety of food. That was back when people could make change.

Now in modern times I've been in a supermarket twice when the power went out. They just shut it down and you have a choice of waiting for it to come back on or leaving. Even if they decided to try to sell without the scanners the personnel would not be able to figure it out.

Our education system is a crying shame.

My job for decades was to think these type of dark thoughts and provide solutions. To see the true impacts you have to look at the domino effect of different scenarios.
For those reasons, I'm a prepper. Stocked food lasting 25 years, 100 gals of water, garden, solar panels for emergencies, generator for the first week, cash, home protection.
If its any consolation, the government has been working on projects that address some of the worst possible events.

Yes, my first thought is about the sorry state of our power grid. We are all going to be in trouble but just imagine Chicago, NYC, SF as examples.

 

[Chet]

Power grids will be the first targets in a conflict.

 

[oldaunt]

I'm not a huge prepper, but we have power outages so often due to ice storms in the winter, that I do have some preparations. I also have 26 acres I can live off of for a long time.

 

[Sippican]

I had two different shopping experiences regularly as a child.

One was in the tiny town that supplied the ranchers and railroad workers and was still called a general store and it really was. You could get everything in there from penny candy, a variety of food to tools and some clothing. That was for when we needed something right now.

Then there was the weekly trip to a town 20 miles away to shop at a big supermarket for the better prices and variety of food. That was back when people could make change.

Now in modern times I've been in a supermarket twice when the power went out. They just shut it down and you have a choice of waiting for it to come back on or leaving. Even if they decided to try to sell without the scanners the personnel would not be able to figure it out.

Our education system is a crying shame.


Yes, my first thought is about the sorry state of our power grid. We are all going to be in trouble but just imagine Chicago, NYC, SF as examples.

I can't imagine the whole country will be without power due to the larger power grids that support the US regional grids. Main power sources for the East Coast come from Canada with proper backups from the Mid West. The country is broken out into interconnects that have redundancies built in along with backup routes. Brown outs would be most likely.
One of the vulnerabilities I always call out as a risk is SCADA devices. These are network attached devices that are a gateway into a secure network. Many SCADA devices do not have security code embedded and are easily accessed by non vetted users.
Years ago I had a project that canvassed all the internet providers to assess their ability to support customers during prime time usage without degeneration to service. Out of all the main services providers, the closest I came to was 60-70%. Meaning at any given point in time, they can support 60-70% of customers, after that, service would be impacted severely. None are designed to support all of their customers at the same time. Add an outage to that and the increased traffic, well, there would be major problems.

 

[Myrtle]

I can't imagine the whole country will be without power due to the larger power grids that support the US regional grids. Main power sources for the East Coast come from Canada with proper backups from the Mid West. The country is broken out into interconnects that have redundancies built in along with backup routes. Brown outs would be most likely.
One of the vulnerabilities I always call out as a risk is SCADA devices. These are network attached devices that are a gateway into a secure network. Many SCADA devices do not have security code embedded and are easily accessed by non vetted users.
Years ago I had a project that canvassed all the internet providers to assess their ability to support customers during prime time usage without degeneration to service. Out of all the main services providers, the closest I came to was 60-70%. Meaning at any given point in time, they can support 60-70% of customers, after that, service would be impacted severely. None are designed to support all of their customers at the same time. Add an outage to that and the increased traffic, well, there would be major problems.

There is no doubt that you know more about this topic that I do so I'm glad to get your knowledge. We actually have very few power outages where I am even in severe weather. A lot of our local power is underground which helps a lot with wind and ice but of course that's only limited help. If something big goes down that we depend on then we'll still have problems.

Would you care to address EMPs when you have time?

 

[gruntlabor]

I had two different shopping experiences regularly as a child.

One was in the tiny town that supplied the ranchers and railroad workers and was still called a general store and it really was. You could get everything in there from penny candy, a variety of food to tools and some clothing. That was for when we needed something right now.

Then there was the weekly trip to a town 20 miles away to shop at a big supermarket for the better prices and variety of food. That was back when people could make change.

Now in modern times I've been in a supermarket twice when the power went out. They just shut it down and you have a choice of waiting for it to come back on or leaving. Even if they decided to try to sell without the scanners the personnel would not be able to figure it out.

Our education system is a crying shame.


Yes, my first thought is about the sorry state of our power grid. We are all going to be in trouble but just imagine Chicago, NYC, SF as examples.

I think the insurance companies require that they close during power outages.

 

[Gaer]

There is 45 million dollar Intentional Community in Alaska, that keeps it's location a secret. It is incredible the lengths this community goes through to be prepared when the SHTF. Is this a new and future trend?

Dragonfly Community​

Wasilla, Alaska, United States​

• Updated on: Jun 7, 2023 (about 2 months ago)
• Created on: Mar 30, 2017 (over 6 years ago)

Mission Statement​

Together, We Prepare, Survive and Thrive.

Community Description​

We are a cohesive group of like-minded singles, couples, elders, teens and children that by unity have come together to prepare for the coming times of financial hardship and cataclysmic events that could challenge our way of living as we know it today – sharing knowledge, skills, resources and labor to ensure our future and well-being.
We are looking for sound, responsible, service-minded individuals to join our community who are willing to share positive skills. Our current members have a variety of skills including maintenance, farm work (livestock and agriculture), teachers, doctors, permaculture, mechanics, electricians, paramedics, dentists, and security, all professions and skills are accepted.
All faiths, cultures and individuals who are passionate about preserving life and taking care of day-to-day operations are encouraged to join.
We accept well socialized dogs, cats and birds.

(no title)​

Wasilla isn't a secret. The entire community lives in one large building, self contained.
This is fine for some people. I would rather have the option to go anywhere; do anything.
in solitude.

 

[Gaer]

We all have access to the World, via the Telephone and
the Internet, we all can buy exotic foods, from all around
the World.

I know what it was like when I was a boy, there was not a
lot of anything, bananas and oranges were exotic, but they
were very scarce and there were queues at every grocery
and butchers shops, also at the bakers, just for the basics.

These musings got me to thinking, how, or even if, we could
cope today, due to a prolonged power outage, or loss of the
internet, supermarkets would close I think, because there are
no mechanical tills today, their head office couldn't change
any prices, there are not very many staff members left since,
self service tills were introduced.

Dark thoughts indeed, I don't know why, as I am usually OK,
but it is something to think about, especially if, like me, you
live in a city with no vegetable garden.

Mike.

Mike, Don't remember having much in the way of vegetables growing up in Montana.
Corn, (which isn't really a vegetable) string beans and peas are all I remember.
To this day, I hardly eat vegetables or even fruit. I drink "Super greens" to get
my veggie kick.

Waste of time to think of hypothetical happenings.
A man with an inventive, creative mind as yours should be using
this to more productive, genius pursuits.

 

[Old Salt]

My idea of prepping is to have four fully charged tablets at all times. This way I have reading material for a prolonged power outage! If it takes its time and I run out of tablet power, I'll eat all the food that's gone bad in my freezer and die a painful, but merciful death! Better that than being without my Kindle!

 

[palides2021]

My job for decades was to think these type of dark thoughts and provide solutions. To see the true impacts you have to look at the domino effect of different scenarios.
For those reasons, I'm a prepper. Stocked food lasting 25 years, 100 gals of water, garden, solar panels for emergencies, generator for the first week, cash, home protection.
If its any consolation, the government has been working on projects that address some of the worst possible events.

Just curious what your job was. Sounds very important!

 

[palides2021]

There is 45 million dollar Intentional Community in Alaska, that keeps it's location a secret. It is incredible the lengths this community goes through to be prepared when the SHTF. Is this a new and future trend?

Dragonfly Community​

Wasilla, Alaska, United States​

• Updated on: Jun 7, 2023 (about 2 months ago)
• Created on: Mar 30, 2017 (over 6 years ago)

Mission Statement​

Together, We Prepare, Survive and Thrive.

Community Description​

We are a cohesive group of like-minded singles, couples, elders, teens and children that by unity have come together to prepare for the coming times of financial hardship and cataclysmic events that could challenge our way of living as we know it today – sharing knowledge, skills, resources and labor to ensure our future and well-being.
We are looking for sound, responsible, service-minded individuals to join our community who are willing to share positive skills. Our current members have a variety of skills including maintenance, farm work (livestock and agriculture), teachers, doctors, permaculture, mechanics, electricians, paramedics, dentists, and security, all professions and skills are accepted.
All faiths, cultures and individuals who are passionate about preserving life and taking care of day-to-day operations are encouraged to join.
We accept well socialized dogs, cats and birds.

(no title)​

This is amazing! But who's going to go up to Alaska when a catastrophe hits? I wonder how many have joined this community.

 

[gruntlabor]

Wasilla isn't a secret. The entire community lives in one large building, self contained.
This is fine for some people. I would rather have the option to go anywhere; do anything.
in solitude.

Hi Gaer! No, that's Whittier you are thinking of. Wasilla is a huge community near Anchorage, wonderful people.

 

[Gaer]

Hi Gaer! No, that's Whittier you are thinking of. Wasilla is a huge community near Anchorage, wonderful people.

Oh! You're right! I remember Wasilla! Yes! Wonderful people all throughout Alaska!

 

[Paco Dennis]

Wasilla isn't a secret. The entire community lives in one large building, self contained.
This is fine for some people. I would rather have the option to go anywhere; do anything.
in solitude.

On their web site they do not reveal their location. They say it is in southwest Alaska, near some mountains, in a beautiful BIG valley
There is a Wasilla Community Church-God that has an address but not Dragonfly Community...two different places.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

 

[hearlady]

We all have access to the World, via the Telephone and
the Internet, we all can buy exotic foods, from all around
the World.

I know what it was like when I was a boy, there was not a
lot of anything, bananas and oranges were exotic, but they
were very scarce and there were queues at every grocery
and butchers shops, also at the bakers, just for the basics.

These musings got me to thinking, how, or even if, we could
cope today, due to a prolonged power outage, or loss of the
internet, supermarkets would close I think, because there are
no mechanical tills today, their head office couldn't change
any prices, there are not very many staff members left since,
self service tills were introduced.

Dark thoughts indeed, I don't know why, as I am usually OK,
but it is something to think about, especially if, like me, you
live in a city with no vegetable garden.

Mike.

Do you have anywhere you could have a raised bed garden? A patio or even a window box just in case?
Also, some basic necessities put away can help your peace of mind.

 

[Georgiagranny]

 

[jujube]

That was back when people could make change.

Now in modern times I've been in a supermarket twice when the power went out. They just shut it down and you have a choice of waiting for it to come back on or leaving. Even if they decided to try to sell without the scanners the personnel would not be able to figure it out.

Our education system is a crying shame.

Not only can't they make change, they often can't count out the change the cash register tells them to refund.

Also, say your bill comes to $7.05. You give them a ten and a nickel and they have no idea what to give back in change.

 

[oldaunt]

My idea of prepping is to have four fully charged tablets at all times. This way I have reading material for a prolonged power outage! If it takes its time and I run out of tablet power, I'll eat all the food that's gone bad in my freezer and die a painful, but merciful death! Better than being without my Kindle!

I have a couple shelves full of (gasp) regular paper books.

 

[Mike]

Mike, Don't remember having much in the way of vegetables growing up in Montana.
Corn, (which isn't really a vegetable) string beans and peas are all I remember.
To this day, I hardly eat vegetables or even fruit. I drink "Super greens" to get
my veggie kick.

Waste of time to think of hypothetical happenings.
A man with an inventive, creative mind as yours should be using
this to more productive, genius pursuits.

Thank you for your trust in my abilities Gaer, I do have a working , mobile
solar power unit, it gives me 3Kw of power, but I have reserves that can be
Increased to 6Kw, or more.

Do you have anywhere you could have a raised bed garden? A patio or even a window box just in case?
Also, some basic necessities put away can help your peace of mind.

I am in a complex for seniors hearlady.the flat that I live in is basic and the
rooms are small, there is a patio outside, but the weather doesn't encourage
trying to grow in tubs, but I am looking into that area.

Not only can't they make change, they often can't count out the change the cash register tells them to refund.

Also, say your bill comes to $7.05. You give them a ten and a nickel and they have no idea what to give back in change.

This is something that ran through my mind, jujube, when I was writing the initial
post, sometimes I do mental calculations at the till and the operators are amazed
that I got it right without a calculator, mental arithmetic is not being taught in the
schools any more.

Mike.

 

[officerripley]

I've heard that most here in the U.S. (those without large, prolific gardens anyway) are only 3 days away from starvation since that's about the length of time it'd take for the grocery stores and supermarkets to empty out if something disrupted the food supply chain.

 

[Sippican]

Just curious what your job was. Sounds very important!

I have been involved with crisis management and disaster recovery for the better part of 40+ years. Both in the public and private sectors. There is a very methodical approach to crisis management, at a community level (public sector) and individual companies (Private sector).
What we see in the news is the raw, 'get it out there first' mentality. Many times this is filled with mis-information and in many cases causes a crisis to escalate well beyond the original event.

There is thousands of crisis professionals that are working in the background to ensure the approach, communications, and execution of a plan is founded on basic principals and time tested to be effective.

In most cases our job was not to stop a crisis from happen, but to stop a crisis from getting out of control. We do this through simulation training, crisis team building, assigning responsibilities for all aspects, succession planning, setting up shadow corporate hierarchy and execute those plans as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Rapid deployment of teams is critical. The government uses the NIMS (National Incident Management System). In the private sector we emulated that approach as closely as possible. We did this so when working an event that had public and private sector collaboration, we were all talking the same language. I've been involved in events such as 9/11, pandemics, Madrid Bombing, workplace violence, North Atlantic underwater data trunks severed, and many others.

Many times, in working with private companies, putting together surgical extractions of employees is the most difficult. We wouldn't wait for government intervention to conduct diplomatic talks, we would just execute our plan to ensure the safety of the employees. Employees were surprised that there were people in the company that actually did these things. But, like I said, we work in the background.

Nothing here is secret in any way, just not always discussed because there are so few of us that dedicated a career to crisis management and disaster recovery. Depending on the type of event we would work closely with first responders, Red Cross and other agencies that have the same goals.

 

[Old Salt]

I have a couple shelves full of (gasp) regular paper books.

I had a hard time getting used to electronic reading, myself! I loved the feel and smell of a new paperback, but when I have a look at the few I have left I find the print is too small for me now, and I always hated large print for their bulk. With Kindle I can adjust the font, so I made myself get used to it! Why not reading glasses, you ask? I like to read in bed, on my side, and glasses get squashed in that position!