I think this is the beginnings of an economy based on perpetual growth and fossil fuel energy running headlong into geological energy constraints. Basically I see an undulatory downward path for the rest of my life. From here out, I think any rallies in our economic condition are going to be met with spiking commodity prices that knock us right back down.
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject: I'm an 18 y/o who doesn't know where to begin preparing....
I am an 18 year old male living in a small town in south central Kansas. I just recently got a job at a fast food place. I have little money, but i want to begin preperation for the collapse of the global economy. I'm very serious about the situation with peak oil. I feel like i don't have time to fully prepare for what is going to happen, but i need to try anyway.
So please, tell me what i can do for myself at this point in time.
glad you joined us here and i know you'll get a lot of answers; here's my two cents:
first - the real wealth is between your ears. never forget that. the exact consequences of PO and the events to come are very difficult to predict, although you'll certainly find plenty of people with strong opinions. therefore whatever you prepare for materially you stand to lose. which is not to say it's not worth getting whatever stuff you think you need, but, you will never lose the skills and knowledge you carry inside you.
with that said, i'm taking a 3-fold approach. money is tight on my end too, so i know how that feels.
1) survival skills and where possible, basic equipment. that's for worst case scenarios where you are forced to take action quickly. water filter bottle, knife, hatchet, compass, maps, clothing, backpack, sleeping bag maybe, whatever you can get; a knife, a water filter, and appropriate clothing are first on my list. how to build a shelter, how to find food & water, how to make a fire, deal with the elements, etc.
2) low-tech tradeskills. the advantage of learning a low-tech tradeskill is that it's useful now AND if the economy hits the fan. learning a trade now can improve your earning as well. useful trades include smithing, carpentry, masonry, etc.
3) anything and everything you can learn about organic gardening, permaculture, renewable power sources, etc. will stand you well.
where i'm at right now is just reading, reading, reading and trying to be patient. it takes a while to absorb it all. there is SO MUCH to learn, and it can't really be crammed. save your money and wait to make any purchases until you have a better feel for what YOU think is going to happen and what your personal situation requires.
what i know for myself is that it takes time to form a knowledge base. once you get a base, it's much easier to absorb details. i read something EVERY DAY, often quite a bit.
and try to keep in mind the economic impact all could shake out sooner, or later, quickly, or slowly. if it happens later and/or slowly, you will have more time to learn more complex skills. If it happens quickly and/or sooner, you will probably need more basic, survival-oriented skills. that's my take. so i try to learn the survival stuff first and take my time with everything else. i can't do anything about it right now anyway except keep my eyes and ears open. if something bad were to jump off soon, i'd have to wing it. but that's life.
the good news is you are young, strong, and you (presumably) don't have family responsibilities, at least in terms of kids you need to look out for, or a spouse.
the best that can happen is you end up with a lot of really useful skills, and maybe eventually you develop a self-sustainable lifestyle, while the world grinds slowly on. if the worst comes to pass, you can handle it.
personally i'm prepared for a long recession and possibly a depression. i'm not really fully braced for social panic and mayhem, but i thiink it could easilly get a bit sticky for at least a year if the stock market crashes. if you have barterable skills, you'll be in much better shape. you may not own land, but you can teach someone else how to garden, or just be a strong body helping them farm their own land, in exchange for room and board. that kind of thing.
Joined: Aug 14, 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: San Diego, Ca.
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:31 pm Post subject:
Just in case there are any disruptions, I would start with stocking up on basic items such as food, water, shelter, protection.
Otherwise, try and learn as much as you can by reading other posts & visiting other websites. _________________ "Peak oil isn't more than an interesting industry factoid and doesn't have anything to do with the hysterics speculated on ad nauseum around here!" ReserveGrowthRulz
Go to a cheap local junior college and get some credentials.
Take math and science that will transfer to a 4-year school. Civil technology is good, you will learn the best place to build a barn. Also, somebody will eventually hire you as an intern for more than you will get at the fast food place.
Go camping on the weekends so you can brush up on your survival skills.
You never know what will happen. If the soft landing scenario prevails, you will still want to get out of the fast food place. You are doing the right thing by ratholing as much money as you can while you are young.
You are young and energetic so working like a dog will seem like fun until you are, say, 30.
Be thankful you do not have one or more screaming infants to support.
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 8:01 am Post subject: how to deal with it
I recommend trying to start a household of like mined people, preferably with a little land to grow some food. Buy a used, efficient automobile. Learn to do without fastfood, movies, television and the rest of crappy pop culture. Learn to play an acoustic musical instrument. Get together with friends who like to cook from scratch and have potlucks over which you discuss peak oil
there is so much information to digest, just read read read and when you have read, then you'lll know where you want to start
above all, be true to your own heart and listen to what it tells you
people might become uncomfortable, some might even get angry... never take it personal, just love em and realize that you might have to feed em someday lol
it is love thats gonna rebuild this world, all too soon enough people will see that you were right
Joined: Dec 27, 2004 Posts: 13065 Location: naive idiot fantasy world
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:
I second the suggestion to get together with likeminded people, in your community and/or in the community where you hope to live. Be friendly - people skills are always important.
i'm 17, but i have a pretty good idea of what i need to do to get ready. I think that we have ~20 years before any sort of "hard crash" scenario could occur. So right now, i'm trying to do well in school to get a high-paying job that will enable me to have enough cash to buy some property and build a sustainable home. I am also working to keep in good physical shape. I am 95% certain that any real bad effects won't occurr for another 15 years at least, which gives me time to prepare more specific stuff later.
Im 18 too. I was taking college classes, but after this last semester I have quit going in order to spend my time on more 'timeworthy' things. I dont think I have four years to finish college, or even more time to use to college education. I was even hoping to go into engineering, specificly alternative energy development. But instead our family has decided that my parents will buy some land in order to set up a 'Plan B', or a self-sufficant lifestyle. They will buy the land and keep working in order to maintain a money supply so I can then go and work on the land. Being young and doing things has some advantages, but the main disadvantage is that we have no money or anything to invest. Thats why I find it a life-saver that my parents were open-minded enough to listen to me.
Personal Advice:
Screw the college education. Your 18, by the time you are 22 you will be living in a whole new, different world. College is a full time thing; classes in the day, homework and papers in your free time, studying for tests, and then working to support that job. Not only are you spending a lot of time and resources to support a college career, but you are also pursuing something that may not bring you any support in the long term. Skills, and learning trades, will be much more in demand then a college degree in computer science. Plus with the money you save, you will be able to use it for many life-saving preperations.
If you want to go into something to keep support from you parents, or make it seem like your not just a 'college dropout', I would suggest taking some classes in renewable energy construction. There are many courses that are held in many areas of the US that will allow you to not only gain knowledge on Solar, Hydro or wind power construction, but you will also come out with a license to install and contacts in the renewable energy feild. The cost is small, but the knowledge and the ability to use this as a trade will be well worth it. Once again takes less time and less money then a college education, and the knowledge is much more worthwhile.
Small Preperations:
-Stock up on freeze dried foods, emergency food packets, water filters, pretty much anything you find will be useful and can transport somewhere.
-Buy books, read on the internet, read permiculture and organic gardening magazines. Subscribe to mother earth news. Try to learn as much as you can about a sustainable lifestyle. If you have space at your living place, start a garden. Put what you use to work. Learn how to grow as much food as you can, learn about how to best incorporate nature into your sustainable lifestyle.
-Put a % of you money into a 'away form the dollar' investment. Buy some gold, trade some of your dollars into Euros if you can. These will help hold you wealth and put you in a better place once past peak. The dollar is starting its decline, investing in commodities or potentail replacements of the dollar will hold or increase your investments short term.
-Try to convince your parents. If they were like mine, they will help your prepartions more then you can yourself. Send them articles, express your fears/emotions/feelings of helplessness to your parents. They will see something is wrong and will look into what your talking about. If your parents care about you, and themselves, they will eventualy listen. Once they hold this 'knowledge', they can better prepare for themselves, and even offer some long-term plan for yourself.
-go to meetup.com and see if there are any Oil Awareness groups in your area. Its a great way to meet people, share ideas, and make yourself seem sane in this world of ignorance. Try to talk to people who share likeminded thoughts as to our future. Many people will think your nuts, but the ones who know will be able to help you plan, so try to meet up with other peak oilers around you.
I understand the situation you are in, being 18 and knowing this knowledge is hard to deal with and depressing. Its hard to party with college friends and get drunk when in reality you know all you are doing is wasting away time. Its hard to make preparations for the rest of you life, when just a year ago you felt life was a free ride ment to have fun on. I still feel like a kid, I used to think life was given to me and it would always be like that. This has changed my thinking, and im much more greatful for what I have now and realize I must work hard in the future. If you feel college is your destiny, go into something you feel will have a future. But if your like me, stay away from college and use the time you have more wisely. Keep a level head, try to share your thoughts with family members, and do anything you can to prepare for whats comming. Being 18 has many advantages in itself, so keep in shape and keep gaining as much information as you can.
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