Survival and modern technology reliance

Some people have the misguided idea that the actual society's main problem (among several others) would be its reliability to modern technology (wireless access to internet, smartphones, Power transmission, airplanes, electric cars, hydroponics, firearms, rechargeable batteries etc.). For that notion, I agree with Carl Sagan that the real problem is the general misunderstanding of how actually modern technology works. It's true you need lots resources and several specialists to replicate those, but having a good grasp of it doesn't hurt, specially when you're struggling to survive, like concocting a makeshift antenna in order to catch radio signals or to put an Arc welder to good use.

Is not less suitable to survival someone that relies on automatons to perform tasks but knows how to set up and understand them quite well. Well that last thing was a bit science fiction but you get the idea.
What are you thoughts?

 

That reminds me of a book I read about a group of people trying to survive after Yellowstone erupts. They powered up old windmills and a lot of other neat stuff. It was pretty interesting.

 

For all the pros and cons of modern technology, and being one who tinkers with it quite a bit, i would just say that Iwant to be someone who can make adjustments. I want to be able to thrive in my current situation, at any given time, as it changes. Because things are always changing. If you look back over history, you will find things and ideas that still hold great value. Knowledge worth holding onto. The trappings of today make our lives easier and afford new possibilities. And the future will hold something that we never dreamed of. Whatever makes sense at the moment. Study the past, live in the moment, prepare for the future.

 

Truly so. The beast and the darkness can be succesfully conquered with fire and iron, even further with the power of powder and fusil. Thousands of years and generations perfecting the technique, the "know how", only a foolish one would think that less than a hundred of years with electronics or combustion engine will truly replace the warmth of the bonfire or the readiness of a good sharp knife,sword or axe. Even a sniper rifle, as complex as accurate it is, can't compare the flexibility of a flintlock fusil for hunting. The ability of blowing a deer's head off from more than 1 mile distance sniper shot is not very sustainable when you need special ammunition and tons of spare parts.

Modern technology, by now, only can hope to complement the traditional way of survival. But what is for certain is that is needed to make the knowledge yours and years of practice to properly handle or even master both. In any case, Everything boils down in actually choosing a way, when a person chooses none (i.e knows nothing) then will probably meet doom.

 

Indeed it is going to be interesting to see what happens and what pans out with technology in the coming years. Granted we rely on the comforts of being able to press a button and send communication all over the world in a matter of minutes, we still have to factor in and look at how much we have evolved. With each new day, month, year, decade, century, new methods and ways of doing things come to life. It does make some things in life much simpler-for right now. When disaster strikes, that will be the right now. If all technological advances are shut down, other methods and means of survival will then be the present and/or current way of life. You have to be able to adapt to the situation at hand. One would hope that technology still plays a major factor but I highly doubt it. And if it does, it'll probably be available to the so called elite or at a price. It'll definitely be going back to the "old-school" method of doing, figuring and seeking out things to maintain your sanity as well as survival.

 

Maybe I would be totally lost in terms of communications when I survive a calamity all by myself in a deserted place. The only thing I can do to communicate is the traditional smoke signal. And I'm not even sure if I can make a fire without the match or lighter especially when the calamity is a typhoon which makes everything wet. I hate to imagine being alone in that situation for it surely would be scary.

With regards to modern technology, I may have my portable charger for my cellphone. However, I understand that in times of calamity, there would be no telecoms signal so that's out. What I'm dreaming of is a universal solar charger that can provide power for light and radio (hoping that there is a broadcast). At least the radio can give me encouragement upon knowing of the situation in the country or in the affected area.

 

I think the better option would be to learn how to do without modern technology. People have lived quite well before electricity and when things get bad, they can learn to live without it again. In fact there are some places in the world where they have no access to modern technology and they are fine with that.

 

I think there is a big difference between technology and electricity. To me technology is our computers, phones, microwaves etc. But we do rely on electricity, for heat and light etc. Not that we can't live without it because obviously we can. I just think that most people now would find the lack of electricity very hard to deal with.

 

If I am understanding your post correctly you are saying that modern technology is important for survival, but only if you can construct and/or repair it? I love modern technology, but it is not a part of my storage, or bug out bag. I don't need a phone or computer to survive (although they would be greatly missed). Yes, a GPS can be handy, but I think paper maps, or just landscape surveillance would suffice in a dire situation.

 

It's good to know about technology. It's also good to know it may not be worth a dime in a crisis situation, depends on the situation. So if the situation is such that modern devices can be used, then absolutely use them. But there needs to be another plan for when the batteries run out.

 

I have a simple plan, I plan on maintaining a supply of electricity!

I can rebuild generators, I can rebuild bearings, wireing, brush's etc !
It is not hard but it is time consuming!
I can convert electric motors into generators.
I can build boilers and steam turbines
I can cast metals
I can build most anything I damn well please!

Unless one is a total moron a wind powered turbine can be made and 12v dc produced!

The world will be full of salvage, there are literally millions of vehicles out there full of bearings alternators batteries , aluminium, lead, steel, copper, oil etc!
There are millions of refrigerators and washing machines with motors bearings switch's etc

A defeatist attitude will condem you to regression back to caves and stone tools!

I can do so will do!
While most abandon their tech I will make use of it!

 

True and that's what makes it all the more interesting as we see who will be able to go into "survival mode" effectively. The ones who aren't willing to learn, who have no desire to learn or even those who don't want to learn, will prove to be the easiest prey for the predators. It's sad to say but it is also reality. Because it will definitely be too late to prep. Now for some, especially the smart ones, they will be able to adapt and learn as they go.

 

With all things, definitely comes a learning curve. If it is possible, then sign me up. I'll be your first student.

 

Batteries can be built! the knowledge is there use it!

 

I have been learning survival skills for 45years now!
I have learnt much and still I have not even started on many other subjects!
There is no way a single person can learn even a tenth of what they need!
BUT and it is a big BUT!
I have wasted much time learning stuff that later on I have realised is next to useless!

Still learning! but I have learnt to filter my learning and just target set things!
I am mostly learning about people now! mostly how people cope with change!
Also how people can disregard reality and go with beliefs and faith!
It is amazing how much parents brainwash there children, giving them lifelong phobias and irrational beliefs.

 

So true Mod, but you know, that's sometimes what it usually takes for some to grasp the concept that something can and will happen because it did. As we all know, time waits for no one and I am all for "do something now, figure it out later". The basic work-prepping and knowledge-are definitely a good starting point and can mean the difference between life and death down the line.

Living in Florida, I've been in a few hurricanes and personally seen a few tornadoes. I also had a friend who was on his way to the Twin Towers when 9/11 happened. So if nothing else scares people, I hope reality does.

 

I think technology can be an extremely beneficial tool. I think if people can learn to manage it to there advantage as we have now, it would be a great tool if a disaster struck. However, I think it is very important to be able to live without technology. Who knows how long it would take to get a reliable source of technology back up and running. By then a lot of unprepared people will have died.

 

I think it can be useful to have the IT skills or skills to build things out of wire. My husband knows how to build small radios just from cables and wires and such. This can be very helpful if you have the proper material with you.
Technology ahs its good and bad sides.
We have become addicted to it too fast and somehow it has become faster than us humans.
However, I do think that it is possible to live without any technology. As humans we were able to live without technology before it existed then we should be able to also "after its existence".
It will be a big challenge but I think we can do it!

 

Well you know that we live in a capitalist community, the government doesn't really want to teach people how to survive because it has nothing to do with making money, but teaching people how to rely on products and services do. By default, people will always assume that they will never have to worry about some problems that they know are happening in other countries because they believe we are at the top and we will never have to worry about not having our essentials.

There is no need to learn how to make the modern things physically with regular things around the house because they probably feel they will never need to use that knowledge.

 

I suppose the problem arises when people assume that survival has to necessarily mean the most primitive tools. Technology is created with survival in mind which means that going for inferior tools is a sign of regression. These should be used if and when there is no alternative. For instance, the survival jacket has been created with circuits which can detect medical emergencies in people with diabetes and other conditions like high blood pressure.

 

You should prepare in whatever ways you can. If you have knowledge in a particular area, you should put your skills to work. I like to think over the whole realm possibility. Then prepare according to the time, money, and skills I possess.

 

I think technology must be used. You can't look for job without it. If you need to hunt, then you don't need it. But, if you have to pay rent then you need the internet. Without the internet, you will die. Make no mistake.

 

I cleared the call list of my mobile this morning, in the last seven months I received 106 calls and made 43 most were job hunting related!
My smart phone has the net disabled! to me it is just a phone to make and receive calls when needed.
As to tech, I will use it where I can how I can but I can still do things the old ways when I have to!
GPS is nice and easy but I can still use the map and compass, watch, sundial, stars etc!
Motor vehicles are good and you can do a days walking in thirty minutes driving! but I can still walk if I need to!

 

Keith
Primitive and Modern are not mutually exclusive.
I use a GPS but I also carry a map and compass
I use a vehicle but I do not leave my legs behind.
I light fires with a lighter bic or zippo but I also have a flint and steel and a stainless steel fire piston
I can also use a homemade firedrill but that's a pain

I use the best tool for the job and always have atleast two different backups to most needs!
Modern is good so is primitive but not to the exclusion of the other.

 

I think the best course of action is to learn all you can that would stand you in good stead after SHTF. At the same time assume that nothing will be of any practical use and plan for the worst case scenario. Then anything better than worst case scenario can be considered a bonus and everything is on the up!

 

sign me up for that class!!

 

I get that completely, an knowing how so survive with out any tec is vital. But I don't see the harm in learning how to utilize and repair what motors and generators may be found, it couldn't hurt. Resourcefulness in whatever form is a useful tool.