Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Preparing for TEOWAWKI

I recently watched 2 movies that starred almost unheard of actors so I figured it was those B movies that you'd be spending a most of the time with your finger on the Forward button. I was surprised they both turned out to be a pretty good watch.

First one I watched was Skyline, about an alien invasion and the other was Tomorrow When The War Began, which was about a sudden war that took place as a group of teens were out camping in the woods. Both were centered around the same concept of TEOWAWKI, or The End Of the World As We Know It.

Its interesting to watch what people depict of the same concept in their own ways, but you'd be surprised how many people restrict the concept of TEOWAWKI to just being great movie material. Again, we come to the same thinking of 'it will never happen to me.'

What these 2 movies depict is regular people, doing regular things, when suddenly SHTF and suddenly they are thrown off their comfort zone. Its interesting to watch how different people react when they're under stress, and whether you would do the same thing they are doing.

In almost all of these scenarios none of them are fully prepared for it, so they have to get whatever supplies they can get their hands on in order to survive. Survivalists, I found out, are people who are *really* into this. I keep some things in case of emergency that many may find to be excessive or extreme, but these people have a whole breakdown of what you should have on you when SHTF. Its little wonder that because of this fascination I tend to be leaning that way, but check out the link above and you'll see that I am just about 20% complete on my load out.

In this world that we live in, I think it will be foolish to maintain that 'it will not happen to me', because I've known people who are oblivious to their surroundings who are victims of muggings that could have been avoided. I think that's a shame because something could be done about it. You look at the riotings all over the world, most recently in Egypt, that left a city lawless as the authorities cleared out and the looters came in and wrecked havoc. Its just human nature, some are up to mischief, and some to survive. But whatever the case they did so without consequence because they know that they won't be held accountable for their actions. That's why in the event of a breakdown, literally when Shit Hits The Fan, you're off to fend for yourself and your family. Will you do everything you can to survive?

Better get ready and pack accordingly.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Suicidal role models

There's a song that I hate right now, but the fact that it gets so much airplay means that I can't not listen to it. In fact there was once when I switched radio stations and found out that they were playing the same stupid song on both stations. The culprit, Bruno Mars, the song, Grenade.

In this particular nonsense of a song, he says that he would 'catch a grenade for you...jump in front of a train for you...but you won't do the same.'

Who in their right state of mind would do the same? So I figure he is mentally retarded. He can sing, yes, but he's a retard. Lets break it down, in what situation would you even consider catching a grenade? That is tactically incorrect on so many levels. If he was with his partner at that time of the grenade incident and a grenade was thrown at him, it makes more sense to throw it back as taught by many movies, or run for cover. Grenades have a 5m fatality radius and a 15m casualty radius, so even if he caught the grenade and she was in fact with him at that time, they both would've died from excessive bleeding from the shrapnel.

And whats with the jumping in front of a train anyway, what does that prove? What does that accomplish? Does this retard even realize the kind of repercussions jumping in front of a train would have? The entire line has to be stopped, stranded commuters, the trauma of seeing this suicidal retard smashed by an incoming train, the costs involved with the clean up and repairs to the line, the falling stock of the transportation company, increased security afterwards to prevent recurrence, increased cost, etc etc. Clearly he has intentions to inconvenience everyone around him.

On a more serious note, what I am more concerned is the fact that because it has become a hit single that gets repeated plays on the airwaves, that means that people will continue to listen, he will continue to generate fans, and young, impressionable people will look up to him as a role model. Do you really think that a suicidal role model is something we should let loose in the community? What happens when you get lovesick kids jumping in front of trains or killing themselves to prove their love?

You may say that even without this song they might do it anyway, or that this song is a metaphor and wasn't meant to be taken literally. But I am talking about the percentage of people who take it literally, who are already suffering from depression or rejection, wouldn't this be a catalyst that pushes them over the edge? Thats not even taking into account the increasing suicide rates among teens who cannot cope with peer and other social pressures. I think everything must be done to preserve life, not to encourage the opposite.

To those of you celebrating tomorrow, Happy valentine's day. Try not to kill yourself while you're at it.