Beware of the “dark side” of humanity during any collapse

While there have been countless books, movies and television shows about life after some type of apocalyptic event, chances are none of us will ever actually be forced to experience what its like trying to rebuild society from the ground up. More than likely, the majority of us will never be so hungry that we’re forced to get food from somewhere other than the local supermarket, craft our own tools and weapons just to make it through the day, or make decisions that are a matter of life or death. All that being said, there is still a burning question that millions of Americans across the country find themselves asking every now and then: what if?

What if society really did crumble like a house of cards? What if we really were forced to rebuild from the ground up? What would that look like? Would mankind be able to set aside our differences for the greater good, or would the ensuing chaos and fear bring out the worse in us?

All of these can be answered by addressing one more overarching question: are human beings good or evil by nature? It would appear that when reduced to their natural state as a species, humans possess the will and desire to work together with one another; if the opposite were true, then society would never have had the opportunity to be built in the first place. (Related: These are the top ten cities that would be rebuilt first after a societal collapse.) However, it would be inaccurate to say that human beings are entirely good in nature because, as demonstrated through people like Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, our species clearly has a dark side.

It is important to note that although its true that humans aren’t entirely good in nature, not everyone intends to perform unspeakable acts of evil like Hitler or the terrorists behind 9/11 either; in fact, the vast majority of people do not. There are varying degrees of darkness inside each of us, and while most of us live our entire lives apart from it, others are more eager to embrace it.

So how would human beings act in a post-societal world? Would we remain mostly good in nature, or would our dark side start to come out in response to all of the chaos and stress of trying to survive?

In 1961, sociologist Charles Fritz argued that just because human beings would experience a significant amount of stress after society collapses, it doesn’t necessarily mean people would lose themselves. Fritz came to this conclusion while stationed in Britain during the Blitz, where he reported seeing “a nation of gloriously happy people, enjoying life to the fullest, exhibiting a sense of gaiety and love of life that was truly remarkable.” He also noticed that the people continued to share supplies and speak with people they had never spoken to before.

A counterargument to Mr. Fritz would be to say that even though the Blitz lasted for roughly 8 months with the people of Britain being bombarded by German forces day in and day out, it still wasn’t an example of true societal collapse. In a situation where you don’t have any food, clean water is extremely difficult to obtain, and the law no longer exists, there’s no question that some people, even those who have lived their entire lives up until that point as good, decent individuals, will begin to do things they never thought they would do. Again, these types of people would still be in the minority, but even a minority can do a significant amount of damage and destruction when they choose to embrace the darkness that is inside of them.

Sources include:

SHFTplan.com

History.com

Ravens are PREPPERS? Common bird found to engage in complex resource planning that exceeds the intelligence of many humans

Future planning was once believed to be a skill that only humans and great apes can manage, but now researchers have discovered that ravens share this capability. In fact, they are better at preparing for future events than 4-year-old children.

Scientists from Sweden’s Lund University trained the ravens to open a puzzle box using a tool in order to get a reward placed inside. Afterward, they were given the box without the tool before the box was removed once again.

An hour later, they were given the opening tool along with several other objects designed to distract them. Almost every raven chose the right tool for opening the box. When they were given the box again 15 minutes later, 86 percent on them successfully opened it using the tool.

Next, they were given the box-opening tool once again, along with the distractor tools and an immediate reward that was not as appealing as the one found in the box. They were only allowed to choose one item. The birds largely went after the tool, showing a high level of self-control that matches that found in apes.

Other experiments yield similar results

Similar results were seen in another experiment that was designed for ravens to use a token to barter for a reward later. In that experiment, they were required to give experimenters a bottle cap in order to receive a piece of food. When offered the bottle cap along with other distractors, their success rate in choosing the bottle cap was 78 percent, despite the fact that would then have to wait 15 minutes in order to use it for bartering. This preference was still seen when a smaller treat was included among the distractors and when they had to wait 17 hours before using the tool. On this task, the ravens outperformed chimpanzees, orangutans and even 4-year-old children.

The ability of ravens to plan tasks that they don’t use in their natural surroundings, such as bartering and utilizing tools, illustrates how flexible their planning skills are. Although scientists have long known that the corvid bird family – which includes ravens as well as crows and magpies – was intelligent, they didn’t realize how complex their cognitive skills were. Past tests only looked at behaviors they already perform in the wild; this one provides evidence that the birds can transfer cognitive abilities related to future planning to their other behaviors.

Are you as smart as a bird?

Ravens have been demonstrating their intelligence for quite some time, collecting string to pull up food that is hanging, trying to trick each other, and storing food for later.

It is this last ability that calls to mind the idea of prepping, something that not all humans seem to see the value in. Indeed, nearly half of American households do not even have an emergency water supply. Even if you don’t live in a disaster-prone area, there is no telling what could happen, so it pays to take some inspiration from these clever ravens and do some of your own prepping. At the very least, it’s a good idea to have an emergency survival kit with medical supplies, organic storable food and water, fire starters, folding knives, compasses, water purifiers, flashlights, batteries and other tools.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ScientificAmerican.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

Top 10 cities that will be rebuilt FIRST after a collapse

Have you ever wondered how exactly the government would deal with a major national catastrophe like a nuclear war or EMP attack? What would the nation’s priorities be? Who would receive assistance first? How would chaos be averted? Are you likely to be on the receiving end of help from federal agencies, or would you have to tough it out on your own?

While a scenario like this typically paints a picture of absolute mayhem and confusion, in truth, government agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would immediately spring into action with a coordinated plan of action to assist. Of course, there is no guarantee that FEMA would be as organized and effective as one would hope. Their response in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina fell woefully short of what it should have been, and it is believed that many of the more than 1,200 people who died, did so because of a lack of adequate assistance from FEMA.

Nonetheless, in theory at least, FEMA has worked hard at improving its response efficacy, and is now ready for anything man or nature may throw the country’s way. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, FEMA would set up temporary shelters for those left homeless, help with evacuation, coordinate search and rescue efforts, and so on. They would immediately be granted access to an immense amount of federal resources to provide food, clean water, shelter, emergency medical care and whatever else might be necessary.

But where would they direct those resources first? It is physically impossible for the agency to help everybody, everywhere, all at the same time, and they will likely prioritize their efforts in a very specific way to maximize results.

Fergus Mason of Ask a Prepper suggests that federal resources would first be directed towards big cities, particularly those on the coasts and any which produce necessary resources like food. Next in line to receive help will be smaller cities with important industries, since this will help get people back to work as soon as possible. Smaller towns will follow, and finally, rural areas will receive government aid.

The reason for this order of things is quite simple and practical, Mason claims: It just makes the most sense. Cities are far more vulnerable in a chaotic situation than small towns and rural areas. For one thing, cities by their very nature mean that millions of people are competing for very limited supplies – a recipe for chaos and anarchy when disaster strikes. For another, it is imperative to get cities up and running first so that governmental control can be re-established and the economy can start to right itself as quickly as possible.

Mason predicts that cities will be given aid in the following order:

1. Washington D.C.: Necessary to maintain control and re-establish government.
2. New York City: This city will be in great need of assistance because of its massive population.
3. Los Angeles: L.A. is second only to New York in terms of population.
4. Chicago: The Windy City not only has a large population, but is also a major center for finance and manufacturing.
5. Houston: This southern city is important because of its large population and oil industry.
6. Dallas: Important for the same reasons as Houston.
7. Philadelphia: This city has a large population and is important for its manufacturing sector and oil refining industry.
8. San Diego: Assistance would need to be given to America’s Finest City because of its population density and military importance.
9. Phoenix: This city has a large population, and would be of strategic importance because of its food processing interests.
10. San Francisco: The government would need to focus resources here in the interests of rebuilding the economy and maintaining stability because of the city’s tech industries.

So, if you live in one of these cities you can expect government aid pretty much immediately in the wake of a national disaster. If not, you’d better make sure you’re ready to take care of yourself for a while. [Related: For survival tips and more visit Preparedness.news.]

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

AskAPrepper.com

FEMA.gov

11 Mistakes you can’t afford to make when moving off grid

It may be unsettling or unnerving to think about, but given the ever-expanding threat of nuclear war or economic collapse, there may come a day when we’ll be forced to live off the grid if we want to survive. But in the event that doomsday does arrive, and if you have no choice but to adapt to life on the outskirts of society, it’s extremely important to know not only what to do, but also what not to do. Below is a list of 11 mistakes to avoid when living off the grid.

Not Accounting for Weather Conditions and Radiation Threats

Choosing a place to settle when you’re living off the grid requires you to consider a number of factors. For instance, many places in California and Canada have contaminated soil and water due to the ongoing nuclear situation in Fukushima. Aside from that, it’s important to avoid any area that is within 100 miles of a nuclear power plant or a nuclear waste facility.

When choosing a location to live, pay close attention to weather patterns. Knowing what the regional weather conditions are can help you prepare, and could even mean the difference between life and death.

Not Having a Means of Income

Even though living off the grid may give you the ability to be completely self-sufficient, and despite the fact that you may have everything you need coming from the land itself, it is still a good idea to maintain some contact with the rest of the world so that you can have a bit of a monetary income. It is important to diversify your stockpile, and even though certain cryptocurrencies like the Bitcoin can be dangerous, you never know when you’re going to need some money in this form of currency (RELATED: Here are ten super affordable survival items that you can stock up on right now).

Lack of Experience with Growing Food Underground

If the outside world becomes hostile or even uninhabitable, it may be necessary to seek shelter underground. When built correctly, underground bunkers can last for generations. However, as you can probably imagine, the lack of light in an underground homestead makes it nearly impossible to grow foods and herbal remedies. This is a skill you will have to learn before you fully embrace this lifestyle.

Inability to Generate Power or Communicate

Just because you are living off the grid doesn’t mean you should completely shut out the rest of the world. But without electricity or the ability to generate power, devices like the radio and other communication systems are nothing but chunks of plastic with a few knobs and switches. Make sure you know how to generate electricity using solar and wind-based methods.

Lack of Knowledge and Ability to Manage Sanitation Issues

Not knowing how to properly manage sanitation issues can lead to devastating consequences, not the least of which is some kind of a serious disease outbreak. There are a number of things to consider when living off the grid to help keep yourself healthy and your home clean, including what to do with bathing water, what to do with kitchen garbage, how to dispose of old paint and chemicals, and how to manage nuisance insects.

It is advised that you focus on systems that allow you to recycle as much as you can without the use of dangerous chemicals. Look for ways to compost kitchen waste and convert it into some type of fuel.

Lack of Medical Knowledge and Skills

Eating healthy and staying fit in normal, everyday life is important, but eating healthy and staying fit while living off the grid is absolutely vital. It will be tempting at times to wolf down a hotdog or a juicy burger, but such foods are often filled with pesticides and antibiotics, both of which can cost your wellbeing and possibly your life.

In addition, failing to exercise, drinking, smoking and the use of recreational drugs will also take a toll on your health. If you want to keep moving and stay in good physical shape, it’s important to avoid all of these things to the best of your ability. It’s also important to educate yourself about emergency medicine, herbal remedies, and the side affects that can result from the drugs you use.

Lack of Self and Property Defense Equipment and Skills

It is naïve to think that just because you are living off the grid in the middle of nowhere means you will always be safe from crime and violence. Make sure that you know how to properly defend yourself and your property, because failure to do so will cause you to wind up dead.

Inability to Store and Prepare Foods

Storing and preparing foods while living off the grid is much more difficult than a lot of people realize. For instance, people tend to think that canning is a simple task because there are hundreds of recipes that can be found online, and the supplies needed to do it can be easily acquired. However, canning is actually a difficult process, as it requires you to carefully time the water baths, and to also know how to seal down hot bottles at the exact moment they are ready to be sealed.

You also need to establish an effective inventory system to ensure that you never run too low on food. Failure to do so could result in not only a lack of food, but also food that is contaminated as a result of improper storage.

Inability to Obtain and Purify Water

You don’t exactly need to be a survivalist to know that water is an essential part of life. Without it, there is no chance that you can carry on for longer than a few days. This is problematic for those who live off the grid, because most surface level water is contaminated by medications, fluoride, heavy metals or nuclear waste. For most people, the answer to this is to distill the water before drinking it to ensure the safety of themselves and their fellow survivalists.

Inability to Make Clothes

If you are unable to make your own clothes, then at some point you will find yourself totally exposed to the elements. Clothes do more than simply cover up our most intimate parts; they keep us warm when its cold outside and can protect us from many obstacles that nature throws in our way, such as thorns and certain insects. Knowing how to make your own clothes will make it so that you are never fully exposed to the harshness of the natural world.

Sources:

Survivopedia.com

NaturalNews.com

Billionaires now preparing for the day when stuff hits the fan by purchasing large tracts of property in the American heartland

About a year ago, Bugout.news reported that the ultra-wealthy were becoming more and more “nervous” about geopolitical and domestic unrest, and as such had embarked on spending sprees to construct “luxury” bunkers, in case stuff goes to heck in a hand basket.

The site noted:

Whether it’s due to terrorism and a massive influx of anti-West migrants in Europe or race relations, rising debt and decreasing economic opportunity in the United States, these global elite sense massive unrest is coming and they plan to sequester themselves from the worst of it.

One company, Bugout.news reported, called Vivos was doing a great business selling underground structures for the “protection of high net worth individuals” in case some apocalyptic or catastrophic event occurred in which “millions will perish or worse yet, struggle to survive as victims.”

In other words, events that cause complete mass societal devolution: Great power war; financial/economic collapse; debt balloon bursting; mass solar or man-caused EMP event; pandemic; and so on.

In addition to Vivos and companies like it selling emergency bunkers to the elite, other firms were refurbishing old American ICBM missile silos and transforming them into underground communities, complete with food and water, recreation, living quarters and other necessities to survive a possible calamity.

It appears that not much has changed since then. While tens of millions of Americans saw the election of Donald J. Trump as a calming, positive influence on the United States, millions of others saw it as the catalyst that will eventually trigger civil unrest and perhaps even war amongst various political groups and regions of the country. (RELATED: Prepper 101: How to find the perfect stash spot on your property)

As such, the uber-wealthy have not slowed in their purchases of super-security, very high-end, bug out shelters and locations, as reported by Business Insider:

A rising number of American billionaires are channeling their inner Bear Grylls — some in preparation for an apocalyptic event, be it a viral epidemic, nuclear war, or cataclysmic pole shift.

As the news site reported, the co-founder of LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman, an investor in his own right, told The New Yorker magazine earlier this year that he believes more than half of Silicon Valley’s billionaires had already acquired some form of “apocalypse insurance” in the form of an underground bunker or other accommodations.

Some facilities — like the converted missile silos — are also under heavy guard by very well trained security personnel.

In addition, Business Insider pointed out that mega-rich Americans are scooping up land in the nation’s midsection, where the climate is relatively mild and it is much easier to live like a survivalist, growing your own food and otherwise surviving off the land. These include states like North Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Texas and Colorado, among others. Such states are “home to several fortified shelters and vacation homes where wealthy billionaires could happily live out their post-doomsday (or retirement) days,” Business Insider reported.

Many of these super-rich have private planes that are fully fueled, stocked and ready to leave on a moment’s notice. And many have lots of survival gear like weapons, generators, motorcycles and other amenities.

Here are some examples of uber-rich landholders:

— Media mogul and CNN creator Ted Turner is the second-largest landowner in the U.S., holding 2 million acres spread out over Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico and South Dakota.

— The No. 1 landowner, John Malone, a cable and communications magnate, holds 2.2 million acres, including major land holdings in Maine and New Hampshire (he says the land is an investment).

— Amazon founder Jeff Bezos holds 400,000 acres in Texas.

— Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams and other major sports franchises, recently bought 225,000 acres in Montana.

Clearly the super wealthy are hedging their bets that the world as we know it is destined for some major upheaval, and sooner rather than later.

Which begs the question: What have you done lately to become better prepared?

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources:

Bugout.news

BusinessInsider.com

Collapse.newsFacebook

Prepper 101: How to find the perfect stash spot on your property

If you’ve been collecting items for the sake of preparedness, you need to give some careful consideration to where you will store everything. You might have a basement full of tools, organic emergency survival food, and first aid kits, but this won’t do you much good if your home is destroyed in a fire or storm, for example.

In addition to everything you have stored in a safe, waterproof place in your house, an underground vault or cache point outside of your home, yet still nearby, can prove to be useful, particularly if you’re unable to enter your home for some reason. Of course, it’s also a good idea to have a stash in a third location, too. You always want to spread your supplies across a few hidden locations so you don’t lose everything should one site become compromised.

Experts recommend creating a small room below the frost line and away from the house. Precast concrete modules are available for this purpose, or you can make your own using materials like culvert pipe. According to Ready Nutrition, it needs to be covered by around six inches of dirt, which is enough to cover it but not so much that it becomes too difficult to access in winter. However, it’s not just the depth you need to get right; it’s also the physical location.

First of all, you shouldn’t tell anyone where you plan to keep your cache. If your neighbors are outside and might peer over the fence, it’s not a good time to go digging around your yard. Always be aware of your surroundings to avoid compromising your cache.

Finding the perfect location

You’ll want to choose a place that is as far from your house itself as possible. Your options will be limited by the size of your yard, of course, but try not to place it right up against your home. Every property is different, but here are some general ideas to help you get started.

The corner approach: Look to the four corners of your yard and areas immediately surrounding them for good hiding places. This helps you maximize the distance between your home and your cache. Of course, this also means you’ll be close to your property line, so be sure you set it up when onlookers are not nearby. Now might be a good time to add some privacy to the area if it’s not already fenced off or otherwise obscured.

Around the septic tank: An adjoining structure like a cubicle or concrete tube can be set in the ground next to a septic tank, and the joint can even be covered with some cement to give the illusion that the whole thing is one structure.

Underneath something unexpected: If you’ve got a decorative fountain, gazebo, large potted plants, or even a stone wall, this can serve as a great place to keep your stash because no one will notice the ground has been disturbed.

The running water trick: If you have a small stream on your property, consider temporarily diverting it, sinking your storage room underground, and then letting the stream return to its usual flow. If you go this route, you’ll want to make sure you place it deep enough that moisture won’t be an issue.

A word of caution

Your stash should be well-hidden for obvious reasons, but this is especially true if you plan to hide weapons there. You’ll want to take extra steps to ensure there is no way a curious child could stumble across it. You should also steer clear of buried utilities. Keep in mind that utility companies might one day need to dig around there if there’s an emergency. In both cases, burying your stash underneath a small concrete slab or sidewalk can be a good idea. You might need to dig down as well as sideways when it’s time for retrieval, but it’s less likely to be discovered accidentally.

Sources:

ReadyNutrition.com

ReadyNutrition.com

SkilledSurvival.com

Here’s why you should keep your shelter preparations up-to-date and bugout bag close

Recent emergency weather events reminded me again of why it is important to keep our prepping supplies current and fresh, and a bugout bag close at hand at all times, whether we’re at work, at play or at home.

In one of the first tornadic events of the season, CBS DFW reported that four people were killed and others hurt as four confirmed tornadoes struck an area east of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Two of the four tornadoes were somewhat powerful – EF-3s – and obviously powerful enough to cause extensive damage and loss of life.

Imagine, if you will, a major tornado, or several smaller tornadoes, striking urban areas like Dallas-Forth Worth directly; the casualty count would be horrific. Deaths would be in the thousands. Public services would falter and fail. Electricity would be smashed for days; maybe even weeks. (Related: Beyond “Grid Down” – Solar Flares Can Also Disrupt Railway Signaling Systems And Underground Conduit Pipes.)

Another event that is ongoing has to do with extensive rains and flooding throughout the Midwest, with rainfall in some parts as high as eight inches. According to The Weather Channel, the storms – which were expected to pick up again on Wednesday – caused major flooding that isolated large areas, closing roads and bridges, many of which may not be open for several days. Some, no doubt, have suffered structural damage and will likely be closed for months while repairs are made.

According to St. Louis television station KSDK, some 300 roads were closed – many just temporarily – at one point in Missouri. The affected roads included major interstates like I-44, I-55 and I-70.

As spring arrives, we can expect more of these kinds of weather events. Some will be extremely harsh and very dangerous. Many will cause extensive damage. This is precisely why we need to be prepared at all times for Mother Nature to strike; she does so like a thief in the night – quickly, and without warning.

In addition to weather events, major disruptions to “everyday life” can be caused by forest fires, earthquakes, massive power grid failure, widespread rioting and violence, among others. Road closures, the destruction of bridges and interstates, and societal unrest will mean that grocery stores won’t be resupplied, gas stations will run out of fuel and even the financial sector – banking, especially – could take a substantial hit.

All of these events and more will directly affect the safety and survivability of you and your family. To give yourself a better chance, consider taking these steps and/or making these arrangements/changes now:

— Bugout bag must be handy: Again, you just never know what is going to happen, or when, so you must be prepared at all times to revert into survival mode. This will mean you’ll need to have your bugout bag within reasonable reach at all times. That includes when you go to work, when you’re out on the town, when you’re shopping, running errands, etc. Don’t leave your bugout back behind; it won’t do you any good if you get caught out and about in an emergency and your bugout bag is at home.

— Check your inventory: From time to time it is important for you to look over your gear and inventory your food and water, to ensure that nothing is out of date and in need of replacement. Sure, long-term storage food lasts for many years, but if you’ve been prepping for a long time, expiration dates will creep up on you if you don’t keep track of how long it’s been since you bought your food. If it begins to approach its spoilage date, take it out and use it (go camping, eat it for dinner, etc. – it’s actually good experience). Make sure seals are still good and that water is still drinkable (Note: Commercially purchased bottled water, if it isn’t compromised in some way, has an indefinite shelf life.)

— Update your plans: There are few constants in life except death and taxes. Cities grow. Neighborhoods change. Streets and roads open and close. Make sure you’ve got an updated escape plan (should the situation dictate that) based on current conditions (geographical and otherwise) where you live. Everyone’s situation is different. Make sure your plan fits your situation. (Related: Nuclear War Or Civil War: The Big Cities Will Become Cauldrons Of Violence And Death – But You CAN Survive.) 

Don’t be caught unprepared for extreme weather or other emergencies this spring and beyond. They say that “chance favors the prepared,” so spend a little time ensuring your preps and your plans are up to speed now, while you can.

Get more tips on prepping for survival situations at Survival.news.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

EatByDate.com

KSDK.com

SecurityAndSelfReliance.com

Bugout.news