For those of us who live in a first world, middle class or upper class life, the concept that our life could suddenly be upended is one we would rather not entertain.
And the fact is we can't prepare ourselves for that. We're not in the mindset to even begin to understand what it will take for us to survive under those types of circumstances. Even the most seasoned preppers should be able to admit that when shit goes down, like literally - water levels, security, the grid - we don't know how we'll deal with the unknowns.
What about storing food?
Sure, why not? You should do that anyway.
What about hunting?
Yeah, I mean, the food chain won't collapse all at once. Might as well bag a deer or elk.
What about fishing?
If you can find a pond or river, I guess. Oceans will still provide for a while.
What about water? Oh, you should always have extra water on hand. Have you not been paying attention to water issues globally? I think years ago they said it would be the next gold.
What about booze and ciggies for barter?
I mean, sure. If you're starving, a glass of strong whiskey can make you forget about it. Ciggies or tobacco of some kind might be of value. I personally wouldn't put my money there.
Okay, okay what about seeds and gardening? Surely, that has value and makes sense.
Well, of course. Duh. But if you live in an area that has flood risk take that into consideration. If you live in an area that is suspect to drought, it might be difficult to grow them tomatoes which take an incredible amount of water. Cactus, I hear, is edible. So, start there.
The point is that those of us who are accustomed to a certain standard of living have been kicking this can so far down the road. All of it - the solar panels, the wind turbines, the debate over nucelar - all of it has been about keeping a standard of living for the middle class and up.
Because the fact is, those who have been doing without and living under the poverty line know more than we do. They know what it means to use this word that starts with N and ends with O.
If you really want to prep, learn to live below the poverty line. Learn to live without. Learn to say no. Learn to turn your fucking phone off. Learn to read. Learn to make baskets out of the dry weeds in your backyard. Learn the art of conversation.
But if prepping is on your mind to keep your standard of living afloat, I'm sorry, the answer is:
No, darlin'. You can't prepare for that.
Nothing will prepare you for the day that clean water is suddenly so expensive that you are willing to barter your most treasured possessions: life, land and liberty.
Nothing will prepare you for the day that your stomach hurts so bad from hunger, that all the pretty dresses in your house, all the bullets in your gun, all the tech in the world cannot bring back the food chain.
Nothing will prepare you for the day that floods take your house, your kids, your spouse, and your faith.
And you were told. You were warned. You had scientists telling you for decades that EXXON KNEW.
You were told. You were warned. You had activists telling you that the Arctic was melting.
And still, you in the first world countries, you in the posh brick houses in the suburbs continued to eat up oil and puke it back into the oceans. You with your gods who bowed to the oil and bowed to the war machine are doing exactly as Jesus said:
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Ya got a helluva lotta people out there spending more time screaming about the "immorality" but they're sure as hell not spending a helluva lotta time worrying about that trans kid getting beaten by their father.
Ya got a helluva lotta people screaming about guns in schools, but sure as hell not worried about their kids freaking the fuck out over a grade point average that doesn't help their mental health.
Ya got a helluva lotta people worrying about women's reproductive rights, but sure as hell not worrying near enough about the water they're drinking.
Ya got a helluva lotta people hollering over abortion, but sure as hell spend more time bitching about mothers and their baby daddies (sic).
And before anyone starts self righteously point a thumb at their chest and says, "Nah, that wasn't me. I'm a ________", I have one word for you: HAH.
The point is:
This - all of this - this is we what we sowed.
We will reap. And it will be ugly. And the people will turn on one another for resources.
Mother versus Daughter.
Son versus Father.
And maybe, maybe if we're lucky, one of those gods will have mercy on our children's children and the least among us.
If we're lucky.
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