Here’s What I’m Working On

Here’s a quick update on goings on around here.

What We’re Doing

The kids and I are learning to make slings (you know, from David and Goliath) and identify 1 new edible plant each week. This is just a start. We’ll be moving on into other skills like cordage and bow-drill soon.

(So far, everything seems to be going much better than the knife project mentioned some time ago.)

For additional support I renewed my membership in Society of Primitive Technology. And have both of their books. Combined with my other experiences and training we should get along pretty well during the learning phase.

Last, but not least, I’m arranging for Nathan Kempton to come out and teach a weekend Nature Awareness class in the Bellingham, WA area. Hopefully, in the next couple of months. He’s the guy on the audio Hunted By A Psychopath available at www.echtra.com.

We just keep getting busier and busier!

Why We’re Doing It

I’ve been stunned by the analysis offered at Anthropik.com. When I combine it with the thorough research at The Oil Drum the choices become clear in my mind.

Get READY!

Read those sites. Try to shed your politics before you do. Both are relatively free of partisan garbage.

In summation: Our current population levels require energy to make the food that allows the numbers of humans alive today to exist. Our food systems are MASSIVELY dependent on CHEAP oil (and natural gas). From the soil to the shelf there is not a single aspect of our food that is not impacted by oil. Not one.

Civilization (all civilizations throughout history, in fact, requires energy to maintain its functional complexity. Civilizations collapse due to lack of energy to support their complexity.

So, what happens when oil becomes very expensive, forever?

People will starve and society crumbles.

What are you left with?

Foraging and horticultural type activity.

Notice I haven’t even begun to mention:
Global Warming (accelerating/chaotic climate change)
Various Fiscal Disasters (3 or 4 at least) in the USA
Water Scarcity

These factors could well put the USA into a severe economic crisis. Then throw in an energy emergency that NEVER goes away. Bad news.

If the folks at Anthropik.com are right, 98% of the people will not transition to forager/horticulturalist. According to their research, history is convincing in this regard. Few people switch from their known cultural food sources and habits. They starve even if the food is sitting there in the environment for them to eat.

Now you know what I’m up to and why. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how it goes.