So how are y'all preparing for the Apocalypse?

[Fish Owl]

Suddenly "apocaliptic scenario" jokes are no longer funny.
Particullary water world scenarios.

 

[Contrarius]

In my first, unpublished, unpublishable novel, the survivors of the apocalypse were Hutterites.

I actually know someone whom I believe is an ex-Hutterite. In any case, he uses "Hutterite" as a user name and has referred to Hutterites in the past.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

If anyone survives the apocalypse, I've always said it's going to be the Mormons. When I lived in Salt Lake City, every backyard in my area had fruit trees -- and they're serious about stockpiling food and supplies. And they have the right group cohesiveness and belief in hierarchy to make a go of it.

Unfortunately, hierarchy is most of the problem.

 

[Facing]

Unfortunately, hierarchy is most of the problem.

Especially in groups whose leaders are chosen from amongst their elders. It minimizes forward thinking and adaptability....both of which would be necessary for apocalyptic survival.

 

[Matthew Hughes]

I actually know someone whom I believe is an ex-Hutterite. In any case, he uses "Hutterite" as a user name and has referred to Hutterites in the past.

They're not uncommon on the Canadian prairies.

 

[Fish Owl]

Just recently Trump crushed all the hopes of people who wanted to believe that Putin the Allmighty can control president of US. Trump said that Russia occupied Crimea and sanctions won’t be lifted. What a twist! How extraordinary and strange!

To be serious: every major Russian politician or news broadcast said that it will be impossible for Trump to change US external politics with one word. And relations between two countries will develop as before. Why do Russians seem so happy about Trump elections?

Well, because of this.
Useless clashes and civil unrest in USA is the best Putin's Russia can hope for.

Keep it up, protesters. Burn cars, break windows, throw rocks at policeman.
You make tovarish Putin smile.

 

[Av Demeisen]

This Steve Bell cartoon is from seven years ago.

Tea party gains voice in Trump's Cabinet with budget chief

 

[Av Demeisen]

 

[Chuffalump]

Unfortunately, hierarchy is most of the problem.

I have to partially disagree with this. You only have to watch a couple of episodes of any 'Survive on a XXXX Island' type reality show to realise that group survival depends on hierarchy. Even if that hierarchy is just one coordinator who knows what they are doing and everyone else doing what they are told. Don't get me wrong, leadership for the sake of leadership, power corrupts etc etc are all bad things but, when survival is touch and go, people need to know their function in the community.

The trouble is, humans haven't found a system yet that they can't turn into a quagmire of injustice and inefficiencies. Function becomes rigid caste, comfortable leaders see no reason to promote change.

 

[Contrarius]

I have to partially disagree with this.

I agree with you. I don't think hierarchy itself is the problem -- I think that the all-too-common misuse of hierarchy is the problem.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

The great Robin Dunbar has beautifully shown how hierarchies only come into play in groups of 150+. I take the above points, but my point should have been better explained, i.e. that patriarchy demands hierarchy as a method of control, which benefits those most inhumane. There are plenty of alternatives for human beings.

 

[Chuffalump]

Aye. Once the hierarchy depends on who your ancestors were rather than what you can do, then its a hobble on society rather than an organisational benefit.

 

[Av Demeisen]

“As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron.”

— H.L. Mencken, the Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920

 

[Stephen Palmer]

... and speaking of narcissism, I'm running a series of short essays on my blog this week under the heading Narcissism Week. Here's day 1.

 

[Av Demeisen]

... and speaking of narcissism, I'm running a series of short essays on my blog this week under the heading Narcissism Week. Here's day 1.

Your previous blog posts on narcissism were very much worth reading, Stephen.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Thanks!
Here's Day 2...
... and of course, everything is Barack Obama's fault!

 

[Facing]

Two days of planning a small orchard (courtesy of half a dozen black walnuts that make for lousy neighbours) and I'm on my way to being better prepared for the apocalypse. ;-)

It will probably take me three years to pay to plant all of it but at least I know where to put stuff. This should take up about half of the field we're putting it in. There's talk of putting the other acre or so of this field into sunflowers for the birds though that's not likely to keep them out of the cherries.

I really should be writing. :-S

 

[Fish Owl]

“As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron.”

Wow, who would have thought that democracy can lead to this sorry situation? Except that I've been telling this like several times already.

 

[Av Demeisen]

Thanks!
Here's Day 2...
... and of course, everything is Barack Obama's fault!

 

[Av Demeisen]

Congratulations to all Americans who get to keep their healthcare.