Comments on: Job skills for the apocalypse http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1609858 IronEdithKidd Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1609858 My SO is an industrial carpenter.  He cycles through an entire wardrobe of clothing in less than a year.  The only thing that lasts any significant period of time are the heavy duty cotton tshirts and socks made in the US.  Face it, office drones don't cycle through clothes the way people who build stuff for a living do.   My SO is an industrial carpenter.  He cycles through an entire wardrobe of clothing in less than a year.  The only thing that lasts any significant period of time are the heavy duty cotton tshirts and socks made in the US.  Face it, office drones don’t cycle through clothes the way people who build stuff for a living do.  

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1608937 Michael Crumpton Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1608937  I have jeans from a decade ago and shirts nearly as old. You must be a lot harder on clothes than I am.  I have jeans from a decade ago and shirts nearly as old. You must be a lot harder on clothes than I am.

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1608935 Michael Crumpton Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1608935  I am guessing you have not done a lot of teaching in your life.  I am guessing you have not done a lot of teaching in your life.

]]> By: sockdoll http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1608275 sockdoll Sat, 15 Dec 2012 02:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1608275 Rob Beschizza using reddit for submission fodder?  Right on! Rob Beschizza using reddit for submission fodder? 

Right on!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1608211 Antinous / Moderator Sat, 15 Dec 2012 01:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1608211 That big shiny thing in the sky seems to tell time just fine for most every purpose that doesn't involve science or payroll. That big shiny thing in the sky seems to tell time just fine for most every purpose that doesn’t involve science or payroll.

]]> By: A C http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1608175 A C Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1608175 Horologist. (I am a horologist- a watchmaker. The term applies to clockmakers as well, and technically anyone that studies timekeeping and timekeepers) I consistently tell people one of the reasons what I do, as a watchmaker, is important is that if there were a nuclear war (a very real possibility), where EMPs (electro magnetic pulse) wipe out instantly all unshielded circuitry, the only people who will be able to rebuild the basic structure of organized society are the few like me, horologists, watch & clockmakers. Because the only timepieces that will still function are mechanical ones unaffected by EMP, or the few rare quartz watches that have Faraday shielding on them. Without a system of timekeeping, you will never have an organized society again. Without timekeeping, people would truly run amok. Timekeeping is one of the things that allows a truly civilized and organized society. Take that away, and good luck making progress. Laugh at the idea if you want, but I'm dead serious. Really, think about it. Society, without timekeeping? Not impossible, but very difficult. When the apocalypse comes, think about befriending a watchmaker. Or a machinist. I'm both. Really, anyone who works as some sort of maker, with physical stuff, not circuitry, would be immensely more useful than normal people. It would be those who can fix and make things with physical parts who would save the rest of us. Horologist. (I am a horologist- a watchmaker. The term applies to clockmakers as well, and technically anyone that studies timekeeping and timekeepers)

I consistently tell people one of the reasons what I do, as a watchmaker, is important is that if there were a nuclear war (a very real possibility), where EMPs (electro magnetic pulse) wipe out instantly all unshielded circuitry, the only people who will be able to rebuild the basic structure of organized society are the few like me, horologists, watch & clockmakers. Because the only timepieces that will still function are mechanical ones unaffected by EMP, or the few rare quartz watches that have Faraday shielding on them.

Without a system of timekeeping, you will never have an organized society again. Without timekeeping, people would truly run amok. Timekeeping is one of the things that allows a truly civilized and organized society. Take that away, and good luck making progress.

Laugh at the idea if you want, but I’m dead serious. Really, think about it. Society, without timekeeping? Not impossible, but very difficult.

When the apocalypse comes, think about befriending a watchmaker. Or a machinist. I’m both. Really, anyone who works as some sort of maker, with physical stuff, not circuitry, would be immensely more useful than normal people. It would be those who can fix and make things with physical parts who would save the rest of us.

]]> By: Rachael Hoffman-Dachelet http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607944 Rachael Hoffman-Dachelet Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607944 You know that saying you can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food?  So I would prioritize (disregarding air) a. Defense and housing: soldier, builder, bricklayer, palisade builder, etc. Also leather tanner, wool spinner, someone who has the slightest idea what to do with flax, seamstress, etc.  Clothing is part of shelter.  b. Water collector, water filtration, aqueduct maker, pottery (water storage and potentially filtration.)  c. Hunter, farmer, cook, baker, oven builder, fuel gatherer. d. Everything else.  I never understand in post-apocalyptic shows why the absolute first move isn't finding defensible space, and building a nice big fort.  In Lost, for instance, why build tents on the beach when they were attacked by rabid polar bears? You know that saying you can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food?  So I would prioritize (disregarding air) a. Defense and housing: soldier, builder, bricklayer, palisade builder, etc. Also leather tanner, wool spinner, someone who has the slightest idea what to do with flax, seamstress, etc.  Clothing is part of shelter.  b. Water collector, water filtration, aqueduct maker, pottery (water storage and potentially filtration.)  c. Hunter, farmer, cook, baker, oven builder, fuel gatherer. d. Everything else.  I never understand in post-apocalyptic shows why the absolute first move isn’t finding defensible space, and building a nice big fort.  In Lost, for instance, why build tents on the beach when they were attacked by rabid polar bears?

]]> By: Michael Dolan http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607933 Michael Dolan Fri, 14 Dec 2012 21:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607933 Enter the advantage of hanging out with a lot of Pagans and SCA types:  Off the top of my head, I know a dozen organic farmers, 4 blacksmiths, at least 10 people who know herbal medicine, a half dozen leatherworkers, a handful of spinners and weavers who raise their own wool... Enter the advantage of hanging out with a lot of Pagans and SCA types:  Off the top of my head, I know a dozen organic farmers, 4 blacksmiths, at least 10 people who know herbal medicine, a half dozen leatherworkers, a handful of spinners and weavers who raise their own wool…

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607834 IronEdithKidd Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607834 Knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners could become pretty popular folks once the crap pret-a-porter from China, et al, wears out about a year into the calamity.  Knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners could become pretty popular folks once the crap pret-a-porter from China, et al, wears out about a year into the calamity. 

]]> By: kuang http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607811 kuang Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607811 Don't forget the extra reading glasses! Don’t forget the extra reading glasses!

]]> By: Dan Hibiki http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607573 Dan Hibiki Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607573 yes, start printing the internet. yes, start printing the internet.

]]> By: Robert Drop http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607536 Robert Drop Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607536 Yeah, those seem a lot more useful than hunting or fishing, certainly.  In the parts of the US where most of the population is, there will be so many people hunting and fishing in areas that are environmentally stressed to begin with, that there very quickly wouldn't be anything left to catch. Yeah, those seem a lot more useful than hunting or fishing, certainly.  In the parts of the US where most of the population is, there will be so many people hunting and fishing in areas that are environmentally stressed to begin with, that there very quickly wouldn’t be anything left to catch.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607528 Boundegar Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607528 Only the ones that have a strong relationship with the local warlord.  Most of them will simply be fuel. Only the ones that have a strong relationship with the local warlord.  Most of them will simply be fuel.

]]> By: TheMudshark http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607516 TheMudshark Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607516 So, what about graphic designers? * crickets * "Come on guys, I could whip up a fancy logo for our little survival band." So, what about graphic designers?

* crickets *

“Come on guys, I could whip up a fancy logo for our little survival band.”

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607515 Romeo Vitelli Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607515 It was the monasteries who preserved knowledge during the Middle Ages.   Libraries will likely be essential after any apocalypse.   It was the monasteries who preserved knowledge during the Middle Ages.   Libraries will likely be essential after any apocalypse.  

]]> By: TheMudshark http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607511 TheMudshark Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607511  .  .

]]> By: thunderhammer http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607486 thunderhammer Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607486 You're making the mistake of thinking that teaching is a specialized skill. It's not, any more than eating or shitting is. You’re making the mistake of thinking that teaching is a specialized skill. It’s not, any more than eating or shitting is.

]]> By: rocketpjs http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607444 rocketpjs Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607444 I can hoard books, and would enjoy it in the process. I can hoard books, and would enjoy it in the process.

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607438 Boundegar Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607438 I can sell insurance.  Does that count? I can sell insurance.  Does that count?

]]> By: peregrinus http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607401 peregrinus Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607401 Wandering bard for me.  Grow my hair, wear sandals, persuade the survivors I'm jesus. Someone will give me some nosh. Wandering bard for me.  Grow my hair, wear sandals, persuade the survivors I’m jesus. Someone will give me some nosh.

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607372 Rob Beschizza Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607372 <b>S</b>uper <b>A</b>rmy <b>S</b>oldiers. Super Army Soldiers.

]]> By: desiredusername http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607373 desiredusername Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607373 I always think about all the technical books everywhere. Its not too late to teach others to read, and start scribing to save knowledge for the next golden age. I always think about all the technical books everywhere. Its not too late to teach others to read, and start scribing to save knowledge for the next golden age.

]]> By: xzzy http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607375 xzzy Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607375 Some basic survival skills, the ability to maintain a garden, some blacksmithing skill, and the ability to make gunpowder. That seems like a decent skill set to start with.  I guess carpentry would be useful for building shelter that doesn't leak, but I think most people could hammer stuff together well enough to get by without prior training.To my mind, medical knowledge is towards the bottom of the list. If you get seriously hurt or sick you're pretty much screwed, so investing a bunch of energy into it seems like a waste. Know enough to clean bumps and scrapes and maybe set a bone, but much more than that is a losing bet. Some basic survival skills, the ability to maintain a garden, some blacksmithing skill, and the ability to make gunpowder. That seems like a decent skill set to start with. 

I guess carpentry would be useful for building shelter that doesn’t leak, but I think most people could hammer stuff together well enough to get by without prior training.To my mind, medical knowledge is towards the bottom of the list. If you get seriously hurt or sick you’re pretty much screwed, so investing a bunch of energy into it seems like a waste. Know enough to clean bumps and scrapes and maybe set a bone, but much more than that is a losing bet.

]]> By: angusm http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607376 angusm Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607376 Judging by the films and TV shows I've seen, skills aren't that important if you're (a) ruggedly handsome, or (b) smokin' hawt. Good looks seem to improve your chances of survival disproportionately. There's some mileage in being a Lovable Fat Guy or the Comic Relief, but you can only push that so far. At some point, the writers will turn on you, at which point you're zombie/dinosaur chow. Judging by the films and TV shows I’ve seen, skills aren’t that important if you’re (a) ruggedly handsome, or (b) smokin’ hawt. Good looks seem to improve your chances of survival disproportionately. There’s some mileage in being a Lovable Fat Guy or the Comic Relief, but you can only push that so far. At some point, the writers will turn on you, at which point you’re zombie/dinosaur chow.

]]> By: Peter Shultz http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607377 Peter Shultz Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607377 People who claim you need to learn tool making are not properly appreciating the coming tool glut. If 99% of the population dies (a good sized apocalypse) then there will be 9900% more tools per person. Why learn to make an axe when there would be so many of them laying around? People who claim you need to learn tool making are not properly appreciating the coming tool glut. If 99% of the population dies (a good sized apocalypse) then there will be 9900% more tools per person. Why learn to make an axe when there would be so many of them laying around?

]]> By: Dan Hibiki http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607369 Dan Hibiki Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607369 no one can agree whether engineers or farmers are the most important, but the general consensus is that there's always going to be work for Medics and Hookers. no one can agree whether engineers or farmers are the most important, but the general consensus is that there’s always going to be work for Medics and Hookers.

]]> By: Dan Hibiki http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607366 Dan Hibiki Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607366  Not really. Kids' time is better spent farming and learning the traits necessary for survival through apprenticeship. Schooling is the sort of thing reserved for winter time when there's nothing to do for children but huddle for warmth.  Not really. Kids’ time is better spent farming and learning the traits necessary for survival through apprenticeship. Schooling is the sort of thing reserved for winter time when there’s nothing to do for children but huddle for warmth.

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607362 Rob Beschizza Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607362 hear hear! hear hear!

]]> By: Glippiglop http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607339 Glippiglop Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607339 I think this is an easy one - I'd prefer to be a trained soldier.  Or more specifically, SAS soldier.  They are rigorously trained in survival tactics and pushed to their physical limits in order to make the grade.  Don't fancy my odds of making the cut though... I think this is an easy one – I’d prefer to be a trained soldier.  Or more specifically, SAS soldier.  They are rigorously trained in survival tactics and pushed to their physical limits in order to make the grade.  Don’t fancy my odds of making the cut though…

]]> By: moop2000 http://boingboing.net/2012/12/14/job-skills-for-the-apocalypse.html#comment-1607324 moop2000 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200490#comment-1607324  Thank you! I was just thinking this same thing. People toss around the word apocalypse, but it is just a big catch-all phrase that could mean a number of different scenarios!  Thank you! I was just thinking this same thing. People toss around the word apocalypse, but it is just a big catch-all phrase that could mean a number of different scenarios!

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