I read a quote today that I think sums up how prepared modern man really is to survive.
The human race’s prospects of survival were considerably better when we were defenseless against tigers than they are today when we have become defenseless against ourselves.
– Arnold J. Toynbee
Isn’t that the truth!
The sad thing is, during a real SHTF situation it’s not wild animals or roaming gangs that will pose the largest threat to society. The real danger will come from our current cultures lack of being able to do anything for themselves. From their crippling dependence on technology, to their over reliance on prescription medications (just to make it through the day), our current culture seems doomed to fail.
I read a report this morning from the CDC that said during the last 10 years the use of antidepressants has gone up over 400%. That same report found that 11% of all Americans aged 12 or older are now taking antidepressants.
If that many people have a hard time coping with life now, what’s going to happen when those drugs run out?
I think today’s society has been so dumbed down by technology, modern culture, and just plain ignorance; that I doubt most people would survive longer that a month in a real SHTF situation. It’s sad to say, but once the lights go out and the T.V. doesn’t turn on, I think a huge number of people are just going to throw up their hands and give up.
So, so true!
man, i don’t get it. i tried anti depressants once. i was happy as could be – but life became so out of focus. i don’t think they help, it’s kinda just like candy for children…and when the candy runs out the drying out period is going to be HELLACIOUS. complements of the knowledge gained from my two year old on a weekly basis.
When the SHTF finally happens, I expect a lot of suicides. From individuals jumping off bridges over rivers to whole family murder/suicides crime scenes. New Orleans post Katrina is a good example of what happens when the grid shuts down for weak minded people.
When the antidepressants run out one of two things possibly happens: the person “bottoms out” depression-wise leading to …or the person has to be placed under surveillance in a facility to prevent them from being a danger to others (imagine that frightening situation on a large scale!)
Hello. I’m from the government and I’m here to help……….
I think a lot of people need antidepressants because they really have nothing to do that is fulfilling. In the absence of the grid, they will either focus on survival or shut down completely.
I like to look at how life was for early settlers. They were so busy with the day to day requirements of survival, that they did not really have time to fall into the “woe is me” attitude we see in many people today.
In many ways each of us is plugged in to the modern “Borg Drone” society. In order to prepare, we not only need to learn new skills of self sufficiency, but we need to practice them until they are the preferred method.
Great points. I’m not sure that we, as a nation, have what it takes anymore to survive during really hard times. Perhaps I’ll be proven wrong. I hope so.
Joe
The only time that I feel “depressed” is when I realize just how trapped I am by modern day “society” living. Why do we work jobs that we hate, to buy things that we don’t need? Because that’s what mom and dad did.
I agree with you completely! How have you handled this in your life?
I understand where Mark Trail is coming from. But I am the mom you speak of. You don’t have to fight a daily battle to survive, and there is great opportunity in that aspect. So you have choices no other generation has ever had – yet you are depressed.
Consider the freedom you have and the fight today should be to keep it; fight it every day as though your life is at stake and those of your children’s children. Learn a skill every day. Volunteer, see the small wonders. There may come a day when you will see the value in the gift of this day and time.
When the crooks on Wall Street finally destroy the financial systems of the world, I’m going to sit back and laugh when they start committing mass suicide because they aren’t able to feed themselves. Me, I’m grabbing my gear and heading north to Canada.
My wife and I being very old, have noticed that a lot of the younger people these days cannot even cook. If the micro-wave shuts down and mickiee’s is no longer, how will they eat ? Also there seem to be no values any longer , only the whats in it for me bunch. They will not survive for very long. They will be the first looters me thinks