What Did Our Predecessors Think?
I've wondered lately what other peoples must have thought when they saw major changes coming to their lives, cultures and societies. We can look back at history and read about different collapses or major catastrophes that changed the course of life for the humans that were affected. Take the fall of Rome. Many people point to the gradual decline and eventual fall of Rome. Or the massive volcanic eruption that happened at Pompeii. It wiped out entire groups of people, their heritage and history. Pompeii didn't have any long term warning. I'm not sure they had any warning at all. But the Romans did.
So my questions are: What did people think when they saw the coming collapse of their way of life? What did they do? How did they deal with the psychological impact of watching it happen? Did they identify those things they could do to prepare and take action? Or did they deny what they saw and heard, unwilling to face the coming changes in their lives? I've read of peoples that scoffed when they were warned of coming invasions. I've read of people that fled their homeland in search of safety and a new productive life because of the massive changes happening around them.
So, what is a collapse? What is it that we are so frequently reading about all over the internet? According to Wikipedia, " Societal collapse is the fall or disintegration of human societies. Societal collapse broadly includes abrupt societal failures such as that of the Mayan Civilization, as well as more extended gradual declines of cultures, institutions, or a civilization like the fall of the Western Roman Empire."
It would be very interesting to be able to talk to some of the peoples that lived through the collapse of their society. In many ways I don't really think they would be much different than a cross section of the societies found around the globe now. What advice would they give us? What would they have discovered that was most important to their survival? And not just their survival, but overall physical, mental and psychological health in the midst of this long term crisis?
We read about the fall of the Roman Empire, the Mayan Civilization, about major natural disasters in this location or that, or about wars and how devastating it is to the countries involved. Each and every one of these events brought tremendous changes, and challenges. Many people lost their homes, their livelihoods or their lives. Many people were displaced from the region they had always called home. Some managed to relocate and start over. Some were enslaved by those that conquered their nations. Some were killed. Some didn't have the means to maintain their lives and the lives of their families and they all perished.
You know where this is going, don't you? The collapse that is coming to our world is just that. Worldwide. It won't be restricted to a certain geographical location. There won't be other countries, states or cities that will be able to send help. The electric companies from the neighboring states won't be there to turn your lights back on, because theirs are off, too. There won't be massive shipments of food and medical supplies by sea and by air arriving in your country, or city, or neighborhood to help you survive the coming collapse.
This time, when it rains, it will rain on all of us. Do you have a storm shelter? Do you have a rain suit? Do you even have an umbrella? The manner in which you will be able to live during the coming collapse will hinge solely on the efforts you have made ahead of time to prepare. I can't say it any plainer. If you just cannot bring yourself to accept the fact that our world will soon not resemble what it is now, I sincerely encourage you to work at it. The thought, energy and action you put into place today can make a very big difference in your life to come.
So, what did our predecessors think? I really wish I knew. What will people think 20 or 30 or 40 years from now about the choices we made in the face of our coming collapse? That would be an interesting thing to know as well. If you think of your preparations and efforts as your epitaph, what will it say? Here lies......................... Now fill in the blank.
Until next time - Fern
We're thinking these same thoughts now. We live in the great breadbasket of Central California. Four years of drought and things are drying up. The Central Valley has the five poorest counties in the country by many standards. It's a hot but reasonable place to live with four seasons of growing time. We can produce a good portion of our food or buy it directly from friends that are farmers. Our thoughts have been to move into the nearby country so we can raise a steer, hogs and goats in addition to our chickens.
ReplyDeleteThe state leaders are regulating business in a way that many are leaving. The drought is forcing more to leave our valley. The cities seems to beg borrow or steal more of the water each day. Wells are drying up here. It's a good sized prod to get us to leave.
I think of your question often I wish I could talk to those before me. Both dies of my family came to CA for survival. I read about the Great Depression for thoughts and ideas. And yet some of them stayed.
I enjoy reading both of you and your thoughts, as I share many of them. We are choosing to stay at this time and try to produce as much of our food as possible. We will collect what we can of the rain that falls. We will try to make as much as we can of what we have available to us.
One last thought and question that nags at us.We have looked into moving to other states as CA's progressive leaders don't give us much confidence. If we move we would be starting over in a new place establishing new friends and circles of help. We both are introverts and this would be stressful on top of having now family near. What is keeping us here are these connections and resources that are already established. I believe the downfall is eminent and near. Moving would take us away from the place that would could help us the most to weather and survive the coming hard times. Is this being a 'fraidy cat to stay and think this direction? Thanks for you writing and insights.
Steve,
DeleteI can understand you're dilemma. I live in Illinois, born and raised here. grew up in West Central part of state now live in N.W. part. I'm sure you've heard of Illinois financial dilemma.
We now have a Governor who wants to right the ship but Chicago Hoodlums and state Unions who control the House won't budge. Businesses are leaving in droves, the state has lost some one million residents since 2000.
I'm retired somewhat secure, but, our children all live in the state. My dilemma is with the state loosing so much revenue the sharing with local governing bodies is going to shrink considerably. So guess what, local taxes will go up. I know how it will play out, I was a county elected official for eight years. I understand how revenue flows. No I do not receive any type of pension for my service to the county,
But as a retiree my income is limited. So I to am considering moving out of state, our one big drawback is that the wife and I both have health issues. But with that being said, with what we both know what is coming we have to make that hard choice and just do it, by that I mean "Get out of Dodge". If our children want to join us fine. If not then they will probably show up when it does SHTF.
The wise thing to do is to seek shelter from where you are and bite that bullet while we can. We know it's going to happen. Not if but when. And remember God helps those that help themselves. And remember this especially if you have family as hard as it may seem when things get ugly, Faith, Hope, and Charity. You will be Blessed for it.
N.W. Illinois, Good Luck
Hi Steve, I'm butting in here for the reason that my husband and I are much like you. We have lived in the Central Valley for 30 some years and are also introverts. Our small family and friends are here and our neighbors are wonderful. Much as California is bad, I am very thankful for great winters, no floods, no tornadoes, so far no earthquakes and the best foods and different varieties available in the country. and I have lived in the PNW. the Midwest and the East. So every time someone tells us we should get out of this state I try to honestly figure a better place to be. We both agree that Calif. is just the best for us. I hope you can find a way to become satisfied or find that one certain place that is better for you. God bless.
DeleteSteve, this insight is free, take it for what it is worth. You seemed to have already made the decision to stay. You may experience some difficult times, but we all are. Make sure your family is on the same page. If you have the ability, it might be time to cluster your loved ones. Water is critical.
DeleteMoving to a new location always sounds romantic, but the guy that smiles at you when you move there may be the same one coming to your house in the middle of the night. There is comfort in knowing your surroundings, and knowing who the local bad guys are, or as I affectionately refer to them, maggots.
Gather your loved ones together, mentally, physically and spiritually. Learn where to get, harvest and store water. There is security in numbers. There are downsides and positives to all situations. Remember that even your loved ones will sell you out.
It is near, isn't it? Best of luck.
Frank
N.W. Your thoughts are well received. We all have to decide for ourselves what we are going to do. Fern and I made our decision about eight years ago, and we are still working diligently toward that goal. Thank you for your comments.
DeleteFrank
Also solid advice, Anonymous. We all need to choose where is best for us. Many times, it's where we are. It could be a few blocks away or a few miles away. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteFrank
Hello Fern,
ReplyDeleteInteresting and thought provoking post . One thing that our society has today that older cultures did not have is instant communication ( TV & radio) to know what is going on in the world around them .
Unfortunately most citizens today are so tuned in on their TV that they are tuned out on events that have a bearing on what is coming down the road toward us . We can only learn from past history if we look back and study it and hopefully see mistakes that were made so that our society can avoid them . I do not believe that is occurring with enough folks in this country today.
We dumped our TV set 7 years ago , and I feel we are far better informed now than the person that watches the evening news . I can scan 6-10 websites and home in on things that really matter in one's life , not hollywood fluff and the usual smoke and mirrors newscast .
I have been watching the decline of this once great country, a country that I volunteered to serve and defend , it hurts, but we must face reality about where we are and the direction we are going . It ain't a pretty picture .
We will to continue to keep our eyes & ears open and strive toward a more self-reliant lifestyle . We will also continue to try and educate our family members as well . Thanks for your website and for sharing .
Bluesman
Hello, Bluesman. It is very sad to see where we as a society are heading, but it can't be stopped. It is in the cards, and it is inevitable. All we can do is accept reality as it is and pray and plan. I wish that more people could see. I understand why they choose not to, but avoidance is not going to change the future. Prepare mentally for what is coming. It's going to be worse than anything most of us can imagine. Sad times are coming.
DeleteThank you for serving your country.
Frank
Another interesting and thought provoking topic and I thank you for that. Just last week hubby and I reviewed our lifestyle - where we live, how we eat, our expenses, our utilities - and decided if we needed to make any major changes. We know that prices for everything are going up, the weather is hotter, the rain less frequent, except for this week. We know that housing sales are up, and taxes are going up as major projects in the area, such as road improvements, new sewers to replace septic systems are needed to accommodate these new residents.
ReplyDeleteWhere does that leave so many of us on fixed incomes? Between a rock and a hard place. We're fortunate in that we've been there before and we coped well. Bare bones living - cut out all the unnecessary expenditures, sell off all the unneeded stuff, be thankful for what we have and take pleasure in what we can do for ourselves. I can't imagine what it will be like in the next 10 or 15 years but I do know that if we are still be here, we will be living a life that is personally fulfilling altho I'm sure radically different than most.
Keeping aware of what is going on around you - locally, state wide, country wide and world wide is necessary for survival. It is imperative that everyone does this in order to live well. Unfortunately few do. We depend for news on our local and locally owned newspaper, several web sites and on TV news for the weather. The information is there. But all I have to do is talk to my next door neighbor and see how bad it is, they are totally unaware of any changes going on and refuse to change their lifestyle. I truly feel sorry for them but frankly, after many, many discussions with them they still refuse to help themselves and they will suffer.
Hi, Bellen. The vast majority of people we meet fall in the same category as your neighbor. That's just the way it is. All of the wishing and hoping is not going to change those, that for whatever reason, refuse to or can't see. That's just the way it is. I have quit wasting my breath on most people, and try to have as pleasant and simple conversation as possible.
DeleteIt's near, very, very near. Hope you weather well.
Frank