"closing the 'collapse gap'"- highly recommended

[jk]

http://energybulletin.net/23259.html






funny, incisive look at how a u.s. collapse compares with the collapse of the ussr. sample slide:

[Jim Nickerson]

Re: "closing the 'collapse gap'"- highly recommended

That is a good piece, jk. and scary. If I were younger it would be a lot scarier. If I had kids, it would be a lot scarier.

My impression is that if you are someone, as I am, who is not prepared right now to survive without dependence on others for food and water, then you will likely not make it.

I think Orlov's point about the uselessness of involvement in politics at this point is correct. People would better spend their time preparing to look after themselves rather than wasting any time talking, writing, or thinking about what politicians and government can do to help anyone with anything at anytime, of course, themselves, the politicians, being excepted.

[Sapiens]

Re: "closing the 'collapse gap'"- highly recommended

Execellent link jk, thanks for the post!

-Sapiens

[jimmygu3]

Re: "closing the 'collapse gap'"- highly recommended

Thanks, JK. Although I agree with a lot of points in the article, I think the author clearly underestimates the spirit of the American people and the power of a democratic government.

The soviets had a "balky, unresponsive political system incapable of reform", but I believe ours is not nearly at that stage. As much as we deride the corruption and control of our government, it pales in comparison to the totalitarian rule of the Kremlin. We have freedom of information. We can vote our bad officials out and start fresh every 2 years. It doesn't eliminate corruption, but it can keep it in check.

The comparison of the educational systems is absurd. Here, children are not told at age 10 that they are going to work in a steel factory, or a farm, or another manual labor job. We allow every child a varied education and the right to aspire to whatever career they choose. Broader education = better ability to respond to change.

And, though the Russians' experience living in poverty and dealing with shortages may have helped them adjust to their post-collapse reality, Americans have another skill set that will be useful in an economic collapse: entrepreneurship, self-motivation and free thought. We have all spent much of our lives trying to figure out how to make ends meet. We have no problem working hard to feed our families. The commies never had to think much or work too hard- the goverment gave them everything.

Finally, being in the unique position of controlling the supply of the world's reserve currency could be a plus for the people living in this country. Monetary and political policy could be used to protect US citizens while shifting a large part of the burden to foreign holders of dollars. Basically, the dollar may be in trouble, but it ain't the ruble.

Jimmy