Many of us have been thinking about what the future may hold for a long time now. The nexus of challenges including resource depletion, climate change, biodiversity loss, population growth etc is a truly a wicked problem.
On the broadest level, what to people think is a sensible course of action to increase one's 'security' in this uncertain future?
I guess for some it involves getting as well paid and/or secure job as possible and hoping that being affluent will provide future security? Others may feel running away to the hills, dropping out and 'prepping' for the future might be better? What about the future of the State and pensions? Children? Elderly relatives? Politics? Conflict?
I'm interested not so much in what people are actually doing as real life imposes all kinds of complications, but rather what course of action they think will be more likely to provide future security.
Security
Moderator: Peak Moderation
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adam2
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As regards financial security, a well paying and secure job is a good start.
SOME savings would be prudent but not too much in the bank on account of the risks of bank failures, inflation etc.
I would if possible do the following
Between a weeks and a months income kept in cash, actual banknotes not in an account. Keep a little instantly to hand and hide the rest.
From a few weeks to a few months income could be kept in a bank.
Consider a modest supply of foreign banknotes and gold.
If you are lucky to have more than that, then consider spending some of it on useful supplies and tools, or on land/buildings.
Plan for how you will manage on a much reduced income in an uncertain future, stock up not just on food but on clothing, footwear, bedding and the like.
If you are lucky enough to have significant disposable income, don't be frightened of spending it ! but preferably on goods that may be of value in the future.
As a single illustrative example, if you enjoy a glass of whiskey there is no harm in buying a few hundred bottles if you have secure storage.
500 bottles might last most of a lifetime.
SOME savings would be prudent but not too much in the bank on account of the risks of bank failures, inflation etc.
I would if possible do the following
Between a weeks and a months income kept in cash, actual banknotes not in an account. Keep a little instantly to hand and hide the rest.
From a few weeks to a few months income could be kept in a bank.
Consider a modest supply of foreign banknotes and gold.
If you are lucky to have more than that, then consider spending some of it on useful supplies and tools, or on land/buildings.
Plan for how you will manage on a much reduced income in an uncertain future, stock up not just on food but on clothing, footwear, bedding and the like.
If you are lucky enough to have significant disposable income, don't be frightened of spending it ! but preferably on goods that may be of value in the future.
As a single illustrative example, if you enjoy a glass of whiskey there is no harm in buying a few hundred bottles if you have secure storage.
500 bottles might last most of a lifetime.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
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adam2
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Consider also, PHYSICAL security and make you home and contents secure against thieves and looters.
Obtain what weapons that you lawfully can, not just firearms, remember the merits of sporting bats, food preparation knives and other items.
Think twice about defending yourself whilst times are normal, remember Tony Martin, but do prepare for a possibly violent future.
If circumstances permit, consider a completely hidden room or other area for long term doom stocks.
Small valuables can be hidden in numerous ways, gold can be buried.
Keep a low profile, "be the person that nobody remembered"
Obtain what weapons that you lawfully can, not just firearms, remember the merits of sporting bats, food preparation knives and other items.
Think twice about defending yourself whilst times are normal, remember Tony Martin, but do prepare for a possibly violent future.
If circumstances permit, consider a completely hidden room or other area for long term doom stocks.
Small valuables can be hidden in numerous ways, gold can be buried.
Keep a low profile, "be the person that nobody remembered"
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
In the breakdown of society scenario I think you'd be better sticking with a moderately sized group of trusted people (relatives perhaps). There's strength in numbers and a range of skills can help also.
Not sure on the money side of things, I suspect banknotes could rapidly become valueless in a major banking crisis if the government doesn't act in a strong way.
Not sure on the money side of things, I suspect banknotes could rapidly become valueless in a major banking crisis if the government doesn't act in a strong way.
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Little John
Aye.
Family and friends and local community. There is safety in numbers and no man is an island. It is living under our shitty system of capitalism that has led many to think that they can get by as atomised individuals. The only kind of people that "works" for are those rich enough to buy protection. For the rest of us, it pays to make yourself useful to those around you.
Family and friends and local community. There is safety in numbers and no man is an island. It is living under our shitty system of capitalism that has led many to think that they can get by as atomised individuals. The only kind of people that "works" for are those rich enough to buy protection. For the rest of us, it pays to make yourself useful to those around you.
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woodburner
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A Chinese saying I saw elswhere recently is relevant to some extent:
If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap.
If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing.
If you want to be happy for a year, be affluent.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help somebody.
This seems relevant to security too in that helping somebody might add to one's own security. The difficulty is those people must be of like mind, not just spongers.
If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap.
If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing.
If you want to be happy for a year, be affluent.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help somebody.
This seems relevant to security too in that helping somebody might add to one's own security. The difficulty is those people must be of like mind, not just spongers.
To become an extremist, hang around with people you agree with. Cass Sunstein
And that only buys protection until the wealth runs out or the people protecting you decide they can do better with your wealth but without you.Little John wrote:The only kind of people that "works" for are those rich enough to buy protection. For the rest of us, it pays to make yourself useful to those around you.
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emordnilap
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- Location: here
Notwithstanding some black swan event, where nothing matters anyway, I've always felt that things slide downwards slowly - often imperceptibly - and being aware of this drift means you should be constantly making preparations.
For instance, knowledge, especially about food growing, should be a never-ending preparation.
A weather-proof, secure and easily-maintainable dwelling is also a priority. A one-storey house, for instance, can be kept in reasonable shape by one person if necessary. Moving to one could be your best prep.
For instance, knowledge, especially about food growing, should be a never-ending preparation.
A weather-proof, secure and easily-maintainable dwelling is also a priority. A one-storey house, for instance, can be kept in reasonable shape by one person if necessary. Moving to one could be your best prep.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker