Are Americans Prepared for A Soviet Style Collapse?

What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?

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raspberry-blower
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Are Americans Prepared for A Soviet Style Collapse?

Post by raspberry-blower »

This equally applies to the UK

Dmitry Orlov interviewed on life in USSR, collapse, what a collapse scenario look like in the US and living on a sailboat
In our interview, I passed along some of your questions as well as my own to get Dmitry’s perspectives. As you probably know if you follow Dmitry or the ClubOrlov blog, Dmitry brings an interesting perspective to the whole lifestyle and survival dialog. In this interview, Dmitry shares his thoughts on why he believes that Russian citizens were far better prepared for a collapse than the typical American citizen. His logic is sound and it definitely makes you question…. “what would my family do in a collapse, faced with”:
•No lights
•No running water
•No flushing toilets
•No trash removal
•No gas at the gas pumps
•No government services
•No public transportation
Are Americans prepared for a Soviet Style Collapse
A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools - Douglas Adams.
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adam2
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Post by adam2 »

I don't believe that America as a nation is well prepared simply because TPTB either don't believe that a collapse is possible, or because they DO believe it possible but know that it be political suicide to admit this.

As for ordinary citizens, I fear that the great majority of the sheeple are as ill prepared in America as is the case elsewhere.
A significant minority of doomers or preppers are well prepared, especially in the remote areas that are prone to extreme weather.

IMHO, the USA is too large in area to govern as a single nation without reliable electronic communications and ready access to aircraft and fast road vehicles. The PRESENT central government works fairly well, but without modern transport I would expect the nation to fragment into smaller and more manageable nations under local control.
The stability and effectiveness of this local government would probably vary a lot, as would the degree of co-operation or competition between neighbouring governments.

Suggested reading "one second after" and "lights out" suggested viewing "Jericho"
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
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Mr. Fox
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Post by Mr. Fox »

'Jericho' was ace. :)

We'll get through it together, or not at all.

The Doom Boom: US Families Increasingly Prepared For "Modern Day Apocalypse"
"We're not talking about folks walking around wearing tin foil on their heads,; we're not talking about conspiracy theorists. I'm talking about professionals: doctors and lawyers and law enforcement and military. Normal, everyday people. They can't necessarily put their finger on it. But there's something about the uncertainty of our times. They know something isn't quite right."
Great topic of conversation over dinner tomorrow, perhaps? :D
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clv101
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Post by clv101 »

Mr. Fox wrote:'Jericho' was ace. :)
Yep, we enjoyed Jericho!
vtsnowedin
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Re: Are Americans Prepared for A Soviet Style Collapse?

Post by vtsnowedin »

raspberry-blower wrote:This equally applies to the UK

Dmitry Orlov interviewed on life in USSR, collapse, what a collapse scenario look like in the US and living on a sailboat
In our interview, I passed along some of your questions as well as my own to get Dmitry’s perspectives. As you probably know if you follow Dmitry or the ClubOrlov blog, Dmitry brings an interesting perspective to the whole lifestyle and survival dialog. In this interview, Dmitry shares his thoughts on why he believes that Russian citizens were far better prepared for a collapse than the typical American citizen. His logic is sound and it definitely makes you question…. “what would my family do in a collapse, faced with”:
•No lights
•No running water
•No flushing toilets
•No trash removal
•No gas at the gas pumps
•No government services
•No public transportation
Are Americans prepared for a Soviet Style Collapse
•No lights..................Light a candle or go to bed until sunup.
•No running water...... Mine runs in via gravity works fine.
•No flushing toilets..... Same
•No trash removal...... reopen the farm dump pile.
•No gas at the gas pumps ...... Walk home
•No government services..........Not getting much anyway, used to it.
•No public transportation.......... None now so again used to it.
The loss of cheap food at markets and sufficient gas to fetch it home with would be the greatest hardship and that didn't make their list.
If some fuel was available I'd use some to generate some electricity to keep freezers working etc. So it is a matter of how deep and complete the collapse is. Inner city and suburban people would be much harder hit.
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Post by Tarrel »

VTS, I'd suggest you fit into Adam's "significant minority" cited above. Sadly there are millions who don't. Same thing applies over here.
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vtsnowedin
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Post by vtsnowedin »

Tarrel wrote:VTS, I'd suggest you fit into Adam's "significant minority" cited above. Sadly there are millions who don't. Same thing applies over here.
Yes I hope so and also that if needed I prove to be as resilient at the age at which it happens as I was in my youth.
Many of the millions are not helpless just untested. When challenged more then a few will rise to the challenge. After all they are the grandchildren of the survivors of the great depression and WW2. Genetics don't change that much in just two generations.
Little John

Post by Little John »

vtsnowedin wrote:
Tarrel wrote:VTS, I'd suggest you fit into Adam's "significant minority" cited above. Sadly there are millions who don't. Same thing applies over here.
Yes I hope so and also that if needed I prove to be as resilient at the age at which it happens as I was in my youth.
Many of the millions are not helpless just untested. When challenged more then a few will rise to the challenge. After all they are the grandchildren of the survivors of the great depression and WW2. Genetics don't change that much in just two generations.
Completely agree with this V. All this talk about how millions are too soft to do what is necessary to survive is doomer nonsense.

They'll do what is necessary. Or, a lot of them will.
boisdevie
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Post by boisdevie »

clv101 wrote:
Mr. Fox wrote:'Jericho' was ace. :)
Yep, we enjoyed Jericho!
Where can I view this?
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adam2
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Post by adam2 »

Jericho may be viewed not very satisfactorily, in short disjointed segments on youtube or for better viewing a set of DVDs may be purchased from the usual suspects.

If searching on line, be aware that a lot of results will be for a completely unrelated series of wrestling matches that share the same title.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
boisdevie
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Post by boisdevie »

adam2 wrote:Jericho may be viewed not very satisfactorily, in short disjointed segments on youtube or for better viewing a set of DVDs may be purchased from the usual suspects.

If searching on line, be aware that a lot of results will be for a completely unrelated series of wrestling matches that share the same title.
I'm sorry. When you used the word 'purchased' I became confused. What does the word mean?
eatyourveg
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Post by eatyourveg »

boisdevie wrote:
adam2 wrote:Jericho may be viewed not very satisfactorily, in short disjointed segments on youtube or for better viewing a set of DVDs may be purchased from the usual suspects.

If searching on line, be aware that a lot of results will be for a completely unrelated series of wrestling matches that share the same title.
I'm sorry. When you used the word 'purchased' I became confused. What does the word mean?
Here:

http://www.primewire.ag/watch-5167-Jericho-online-free

after you have installed Zenmate to google chrome

You might also find this a bit of a laugh:

http://www.primewire.ag/watch-10315-Jer ... nline-free

You probably have adblock installed already, if not it's advised.
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another_exlurker
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Post by another_exlurker »

Mr. Fox wrote:'Jericho' was ace. :)
There's two follow-up graphic novels, IIRC.
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frayne
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Post by frayne »

IMO, I believe if those things will happen. People will learn to adjust gradually.
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emordnilap
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Post by emordnilap »

boisdevie wrote:
adam2 wrote:Jericho may be viewed not very satisfactorily, in short disjointed segments on youtube or for better viewing a set of DVDs may be purchased from the usual suspects.

If searching on line, be aware that a lot of results will be for a completely unrelated series of wrestling matches that share the same title.
I'm sorry. When you used the word 'purchased' I became confused. What does the word mean?
I like your style.
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
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