Survival of the Fittest

[Balthazzar]

Maybe just edit the title to Survival of the Prepared. I understand your choice in title as alluding to the fight for survival such as in the gladiator forum. "Fit" can mean able, prepared, IMO. And titles are often played off of others with other meanings.

I think you miss my intent.

 

[Balthazzar]

I'm sorry you're sad, Spice. The intent is that I'm suggesting it might be beneficial to keep up with our more primal and basic survival skills and know how. It will ultimately help lessen a potential and monumental shock to our fragile, soft, and ill prepared selves and our progeny that has resulted from our worlds "we may be a little spoiled" type of lifestyle and upbringing. I don't like it, but global events seem a little too dire to get too comfortable with our luxuries. At my age, the prospect is frightening but I acknowledge a need for myself and so ... I need to increase my ability after 4 too many decades on the lux, speaking from a position of longevity of necessity.

 

[PureX]

Where does hunting fit into this paradigm? In modern society, we really have no need to hunt or fish or anything like this. Also, what about dietary needs and capabilities? The future is uncertain, and from what I gather we developed an ability to eat both meat and vegetation. Some swear by a no meat diet, and others swear by an omnivorous one. I'm in the latter group and I've added to this diet spicy peppers and dairy. I think it broadens my chances of survival as well as those who develop from this type of food intake. Anyway, I haven't been hunting since I was twenty something. I'm thinking about reintroducing myself to the more primal basics of survival.

Do you think these capabilities are important enough to pursue?

I think most of us live so far removed from that kind of 'animal' existence that we could never return to it even if we tried. Not really. Not effectively. As for Darwinism, clearly our econmic system is a direct reflection of it, and since our economic system is now the complete and total representation of Darwinian existential survival, we are still living by those rules, we're just doing it via the abstraction of money. So my suggestion would be that if you are concerned for your survival as modern society appears to be imploding, that you get better at commercial interaction. Because that's the arena in which we are all going to live or die, now.

After the total collapse, when money has no relevance at all anymore (if that ever occurs), the fittest 'animal-man' will endure. But who really even wants to live like that? Not me.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Where does hunting fit into this paradigm? In modern society, we really have no need to hunt or fish or anything like this. Also, what about dietary needs and capabilities? The future is uncertain, and from what I gather we developed an ability to eat both meat and vegetation. Some swear by a no meat diet, and others swear by an omnivorous one. I'm in the latter group and I've added to this diet spicy peppers and dairy. I think it broadens my chances of survival as well as those who develop from this type of food intake. Anyway, I haven't been hunting since I was twenty something. I'm thinking about reintroducing myself to the more primal basics of survival.

Do you think these capabilities are important enough to pursue?

I understand your question and it does make sense.

I'd probably answer that question in the same vernacular as that of apex predators.

Hopefully because we need to keep our skills sharp enough to maintain ourselves at the top of the food chain , but at the same time realize that we are not really as apex as we might want to think involving other species and organisms , so essentially survival the fittest never ends and what got us here needs to be maintained.

It doesn't mean we ought to go out and shoot Bambi willy nilly just to prove a point of fitness but I do know why people still go out and hunt game. Most hunters do use their kill past the urge to post the head of that ten point buck's head over ones fireplace for boasting rights.

Venison and jerky can help put much cheaper food on the table to feed one's family in an age of excessive pricing.

 

[Balthazzar]

I think most of us live so far removed from that kind of 'animal' existence that we could never return to it even if we tried. Not really. Not effectively. As for Darwinism, clearly our econmic system is a direct reflection of it, and since our economic system is now the complete and total representation of Darwinian existential survival, we are still living by those rules, we're just doing it via the abstraction of money. So my suggestion would be that if you are concerned for your survival as modern society appears to be imploding, that you get better at commercial interaction. Because that's the arena in which we are all going to live or die, now.

After the total collapse, when money has no relevance at all anymore (if that ever occurs), the fittest 'animal-man' will endure. But who really even wants to live like that? Not me.

Modern society, global wars, climate change and global warming, political plays for power, and world dominance goes to? You speak of the old ways like they're incompatible with modern humans, and while I agree we're soft and unskilled, il prepared, and unwilling more often than not, particularly when we can sit at home pull in the social funding and drink beer. Money is a concern also. The economy is in the tank and seems to headed downward without much buoyancy and civility is at the lowest in a couple three decades. Sure, we have co ops and cooperation between certain parties, but who's pocket is filling who's? At the end of the day, we the people have already lost our voice, even when we have the right to speak. That was the first trophy on the socialist wall of "we do this for you, you obey now" growing reality in America. My suggestion for myself is continue doing what I'm able to stimulate the economy, be of some service, and prepare for what's essentially unavoidable. I find the prospect of living backwoods or on the move appealing, but I also acknowledge the great difficulty involved. I'm a journalist, so it's not like I won't be keeping record of events. The real kicker is in our tech gear. We rely on it far too much to not take caution of the potential traffic jams and fake tower feeds.

A simple life sounds pretty great right about now.

 

[Spice]

I'm sorry you're sad, Spice. The intent is that I'm suggesting it might be beneficial to keep up with our more primal and basic survival skills and know how. It will ultimately help lessen a potential and monumental shock to our fragile, soft, and ill prepared selves and our progeny that has resulted from our worlds "we may be a little spoiled" type of lifestyle and upbringing. I don't like it, but global events seem a little too dire to get too comfortable with our luxuries. At my age, the prospect is frightening but I acknowledge a need for myself and so ... I need to increase my ability after 4 too many decades on the lux, speaking from a position of longevity of necessity.

No, I'm not truly sad, just sad you didn't think I grasped your intent. I'm still trying to figure out how best to use the RF frubals. All's good.

My brother and I often speak of the future of your generation. We are children of the Great Depression teenagers, both of which had lost their fathers. After living with some of the leftover rules of that era, we let up a bit on our own children, but not as much as those now in their twenties. The "old ways" need to be revived and passed down. Humankind often goes through a reset of sorts, and I agree, one is not far off and could be a very severe one.

 

[Balthazzar]

No, I'm not truly sad, just sad you didn't think I grasped your intent. I'm still trying to figure out how best to use the RF frubals. All's good.

My brother and I often speak of the future of your generation. We are children of the Great Depression teenagers, both of which had lost their fathers. After living with some of the leftover rules of that era, we let up a bit on our own children, but not as much as those now in their twenties. The "old ways" need to be revived and passed down. Humankind often goes through a reset of sorts, and I agree, one is not far off and could be a very severe one.

I agree ... The reset being, a two steps forward one step back routine for the wake up and reminder. It's important enough to remember where we came from.

 

[Spice]

Modern society, global wars, climate change and global warming, political plays for power, and world dominance goes to? You speak of the old ways like they're incompatible with modern humans, and while I agree we're soft and unskilled, il prepared, and unwilling more often than not, particularly when we can sit at home pull in the social funding and drink beer. Money is a concern also. The economy is in the tank and seems to headed downward without much buoyancy and civility is at the lowest in a couple three decades. Sure, we have co ops and cooperation between certain parties, but who's pocket is filling who's? At the end of the day, we the people have already lost our voice, even when we have the right to speak. That was the first trophy on the socialist wall of "we do this for you, you obey now" growing reality in America. My suggestion for myself is continue doing what I'm able to stimulate the economy, be of some service, and prepare for what's essentially unavoidable. I find the prospect of living backwoods or on the move appealing, but I also acknowledge the great difficulty involved. I'm a journalist, so it's not like I won't be keeping record of events. The real kicker is in our tech gear. We rely on it far too much to not take caution of the potential traffic jams and fake tower feeds.

A simple life sounds pretty great right about now.

You bring up another aspect that was useful in the novels of the One Second After Trilogy -- being able to tell time and direction by nature and the cosmos.

When it comes to money, it'll be of no use. We'll be back to bartering. One character was quite a good hunter, so he swapped rabbits and squirrels for 22 bullets, and other necessities, although the ammo had the most value.

The most frightening part that I had never considered prior was medications. A young girl with Type 1 diabetes had no hope after all the stores had been overtaken and emptied.

The hope for the future was found in the University Library -- the hope was knowledge.

 

[Balthazzar]

You bring up another aspect that was useful in the novels of the One Second After Trilogy -- being able to tell time and direction by nature and the cosmos.

When it comes to money, it'll be of no use. We'll be back to bartering. One character was quite a good hunter, so he swapped rabbits and squirrels for 22 bullets, and other necessities, although the ammo had the most value.

The most frightening part that I had never considered prior was medications. A young girl with Type 1 diabetes had no hope after all the stores had been overtaken and emptied.

The hope for the future was found in the University Library -- the hope was knowledge.

Money is already a subject of controversy. Some are leaning towards digital currency and others things like gold and silver, platinum, etc. The bartering is already acknowledged and has been for years, but current currency makes things a bit more tolerable. It's also nice to have a skill that might warrant compensation. Society as a whole is being disrupted and it's difficult to acknowledge this as being anything good, but I sometimes wonder ...

 

[PureX]

Modern society, global wars, climate change and global warming, political plays for power, and world dominance goes to? You speak of the old ways like they're incompatible with modern humans, and while I agree we're soft and unskilled, il prepared, and unwilling more often than not, particularly when we can sit at home pull in the social funding and drink beer. Money is a concern also. The economy is in the tank and seems to headed downward without much buoyancy and civility is at the lowest in a couple three decades. Sure, we have co ops and cooperation between certain parties, but who's pocket is filling who's? At the end of the day, we the people have already lost our voice, even when we have the right to speak. That was the first trophy on the socialist wall of "we do this for you, you obey now" growing reality in America. My suggestion for myself is continue doing what I'm able to stimulate the economy, be of some service, and prepare for what's essentially unavoidable. I find the prospect of living backwoods or on the move appealing, but I also acknowledge the great difficulty involved. I'm a journalist, so it's not like I won't be keeping record of events. The real kicker is in our tech gear. We rely on it far too much to not take caution of the potential traffic jams and fake tower feeds.

A simple life sounds pretty great right about now.

A simple life can be obtained. But it will not be independent. We humans just don’t live that way. We live in tribes, clans, troupes, extended families, etc., mutual co-ops. Perhaps the best way to survive is to begin seeking out that arrangement.

 

[Balthazzar]

No.

The co ops are already in place and last thing I need is a troop or tribe beyond what is already helpful. Mostly extended friends, family, and kindred types, but even they are risky at times. Here's a truth. I spent 30 years of my life as a recluse, isolated from most social interaction, aside from online venues such as this one. I simply don't find it at all feasible to think my social transitioning skills will improve much after 30 years. It's not that I don't get along with people. It's that people irritate me to no good end, so I practice avoidance. It's a healthy practice in my situation.

 

[PureX]

No.

The co ops are already in place and last thing I need is a troop or tribe beyond what is already helpful. Mostly extended friends, family, and kindred types, but even they are risky at times. Here's a truth. I spent 30 years of my life as a recluse, isolated from most social interaction, aside from online venues such as this one. I simply don't find it at all feasible to think my social transitioning skills will improve much after 30 years. It's not that I don't get along with people. It's that people irritate me to no good end, so I practice avoidance. It's a healthy practice in my situation.

Then why do you even want to survive the fall at all? What's the point? What will you be contributing to the 'new world order' of humanity? More anger and resentment of your fellow humans? More selfish isolationism? More of the same crap that will have caused our implosion in the first place?

 

[Audie]

I've never disagreed.

I only commented here about the fact that you are using the term you titled your OP as incorrectly. It is a scientific term and process, and by using it as you did you are muddying the waters on the actual process you are discussing, and making non-scientists confused who may be trying to learn from you.

Scientific literacy is important.

Misusing an already shakey term
is no way to express or spread comprehension
of basic biology.

 

[Balthazzar]

Then why do you even want to survive the fall at all? What's the point? What will you be contributing to the 'new world order' of humanity? More anger and resentment of your fellow humans? More selfish isolationism? More of the same crap that will have caused our implosion in the first place?

I wouldn't call it selfish. It's just necessary sometimes. I do well in some situations, apart from the agitators and why would I want to survive? Are you kidding? I'm 53, have a near 30-year-old son, and we're living in exciting times. Journaling is both a hobby and chosen career path, so 2024 forward is primed for a guy like me.

Why would you not want to survive it all?

 

[PureX]

I wouldn't call it selfish. It's just necessary sometimes. I do well in some situations, apart from the agitators and why would I want to survive? Are you kidding? I'm 53, have a near 30-year-old son, and we're living in exciting times. Journaling is both a hobby and chosen career path, so 2024 forward is primed for a guy like me.

Why would you not want to survive it all?

So it seems that you do need the world and it's people after all, even if you don't much like them. I guess that was my point. If we don't know how to live with each other, we don't know how to live at all. At least not as a human being. We only know how to survive as an animal.

And I think it's our just trying to survive as an independent animal in a very Darwinian economic system that is causing our civilization to lose it's humanity, and subsequently fail. As it has done many times in the past. But this time our technology may make it the last, or very nearly the last. The point being that it's time we humans learned how to live as humans, and put the independent, compeitive animal life behind us.

 

[Balthazzar]

So it seems that you do need the world and it's people after all, even if you don't much like them. I guess that was my point. If we don't know how to live with each other, we don't know how to live at all. At least not as a human being. We only know how to survive as an animal.

And I think it's our just trying to survive as an independent animal in a very Darwinian economic system that is causing our civilization to lose it's humanity, and subsequently fail. As it has done many times in the past. But this time our technology may make it the last, or very nearly the last. The point being that it's time we humans learned how to live as humans, and put the independent, compeitive animal life behind us.

I never suggested otherwise, PureX. As a matter of fact, I stated exactly what you just reiterated, aside from the Darwinian reference. I am required to hold true to these very basic principles. On the other hand, competition between humans could be decreased but what is our motivation to become at that point? We have large industries and companies vying to be the last of their kind standing entering into the third phase of the industrial revolution. We also have tech companies doing something similar, each pursuing to be better than the competition. This also happens to increase our demands in the private sector, which is to suggest that private enterprise will continue to grow due to these changes. It's the job losses and survival need's that motivate private enterprises. This type of developmental increase and changes will one day secure our species even more, enabling our kind to live in greater abundance and prosperity. Yes, it's difficult, but that's life. We learn as we go, and often enough return to from where came as needed.

Also, it's the hostility and deceptive practices, the antagonistic and button pushing saboteurs that make my life so uncomfortably difficult. So, I work on me, I remain in the service of others, and I stay away from toxic environments as much as I'm able. It's our interdependence that enables us to thrive, and it's our failure to cooperate that leaves so many behind.

 

[Kathryn]

I have several books that have wonderful information with very clear photos, but I haven't put them to the test. There are a couple of survivalist, lost knowledge, types of books I'm considering for my sons' Christmas. Things like digging root cellars, building smoke houses, and how to use them with what provisions would also be handy.

Even here in the country few continue these basis in community stability. There is a significant showing of interest however in your age group and a decade or so younger. They have their backyard chicken coops, gardens they can and pickle from, and some have experimented with goats for milk and lawn care, though the goat experiment was a no-go. Too much work I gather. LOL

Hunting and fishing has been a standard, of life though not at the same levels of my childhood. In my early childhood if mom didn't grow it or dad didn't kill it, we didn't have it -- for the most part. We still went to town once a month for coffee, flour, sugar, spices, etc. But my generation admittedly let go of so much of that kind of knowledge and now we regret not having to pass on.

TRUE STORY TIME!

I was looking for an interesting book for my grandson online, and I thought I had found one. I sent it directly to him. But his parents couldn't give it to him because among the titles of chapters was the title "How To Get Rid Of A Body." Also "How To Build A Molotov Cocktail" or something like that. Yikes!

 

[JIMMY12345]

Where does hunting fit into this paradigm? In modern society, we really have no need to hunt or fish or anything like this. Also, what about dietary needs and capabilities? The future is uncertain, and from what I gather we developed an ability to eat both meat and vegetation. Some swear by a no meat diet, and others swear by an omnivorous one. I'm in the latter group and I've added to this diet spicy peppers and dairy. I think it broadens my chances of survival as well as those who develop from this type of food intake. Anyway, I haven't been hunting since I was twenty something. I'm thinking about reintroducing myself to the more primal basics of survival.

Do you think these capabilities are important enough to pursue?

Darwin was not advocate of survival of the fittest.He said it was the one best adapted to changing conditions that survived.So if I have my third ice cream and weigh 150 kg while you tuck into a salad at 70 kg.In an ice age guess who will survive.

 

[PureX]

Darwin was not advocate of survival of the fittest.He said it was the one best adapted to changing conditions that survived.So if I have my third ice cream and weigh 150 kg while you tuck into a salad at 70 kg.In an ice age guess who will survive.

... Fittest for the environmental circumstances. It was implied.

 

[ChristineM]

TRUE STORY TIME:

When I was a teen, my parents decided to raise rabbits for meat, but my dad couldn't kill them because they would snuggle up to him before he did so, and my mom was NOT game for any of that killing bidness, so she was out. So we sold the rabbits.

However, we did raise chickens to eat. I have two terrible memories of chickens. In the first memory, that whole phrase "running around like a chicken with his head chopped off" is real. It really happens, and it's terrible. The second memory is of actually plucking a chicken. A chicken has two layers of feathers, apparently - the outer layer and then the down. So anyway, to make the chicken easier to pluck, one has to dunk the chicken in boiling water, after the head is chopped off and the chicken runs around for a bit. This smells GREAT. Kidding. So, after dunking the dead chicken in boiling water, my parents hung the chicken body from a CLOTHES LINE and I sat on a stool, in the rain, as a teen, plucking this chicken. I thought I was about to freaking die. After that, I always bought chickens already plucked and all that, from the grocery store.

I was raised on a farm, preparing a chicken for Sunday dinner was one of my pocket money jobs