I've already trod on dangerous ground. We're on dangerous ground right now, because of our secrets and our lies. They're practically what define us. When the truth offends, we lie and lie until we can no longer remember it is even there. But it is...still there. Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid.
Dec 16, 2023·edited Dec 16, 2023Liked by Theodore Atkinson
Thanks for the article! Family members were skeptical until we had an unexpected 6 hour power outage. I used the 1000w portable solar generator to run the fridge, lights and television during primetime, lol. Crisis averted. I spent my Covid Reset stimulus $$ on a DIY Solar system with 6 Sok 100ah Lifepo4 batteries, 2 Epever 40A Mppts and 600 watts of folding and fixed 100 watt mono- panels. We have several backups for short-term heating w/ fireplace as well as for cooking, ice + styrofoam cooler + fan for AC, water filtration (calcium hypochlorite, survivor pro), hygiene (black bucket & pulley), self-defense (common calibers) and food cultivation, drying/canning and storage. We have a family cabin along the PA/NY border on 30 acres with abundant American Hophornbeam, Hickory, Black Walnut, old orchard Standard Apple and Sugar Maples. The neighboring farmer related through marriage has Belgian draught horses and a sizable beef herd. Population density at the cabin is barely 30 people and 80-100 whitetail per square mile. Hope for the best!
Excellent, practical well organized, readable. Highest recommendation as we go into the year of election driven political chaos here in the U Essen Ahhh.
I have been researching this for years now. There are so many ways to collect, generate and store energy in multiple contexts that it makes clear that the powers that be have no interest whatsoever in a better world for anyone but themselves. It’s completely up to us. As you say it’s about building resiliency.
I’m saving to buy land in the mountains to build an organic farm and host a small community. I’m not a hippie or a rainbow child. I have researched intentional communities and cults and have found that most fail due to lack of proper planning and leadership. Building community is essential to SHTF and post-apocalyptic survival.
The energy systems I plan on building are solar electric, solar thermal, shallow geothermal, wood gas generator, low pressure steam engine generator, capturing the heat energy from the steam after it exists the engine, integrated earth ship solar gain and thermal mass concepts, radiant floor heating, a range of embedded cold storage systems such as walk in fridge and freezer, and a compressed air system. Compressed air is a good energy storage solution. It can run a generator or pneumatic tools. It can also be incorporated into an air filtration/conditioning system.
I would also build a robust water system including hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic agriculture systems, a septic system and a gray water system, roof watershed capture, and water filtration and storage systems. A properly functioning and maintained gray water system provides nutrient rich irrigation water as well as animal feed in the form of cattails and duck weed.
I have recently been researching permaculture which is based on ecology and systems thinking and applies to more than gardening, it is directly concerned with building a better planet and a resilient humanity.
Cayenne, yes. I encapsulate it -- I've heard you're not supposed to do that, but have done so almost without incident for the past couple of decades; taken with food and "no heavy lifting" for about half an hour. I had one near-death experience recently, but after several minutes, I felt fine. The lobelia tincture, with half vodka, half vinegar is nauseating if savored overmuch.
What with these nanoparticles being injected IM and sprayed lately everywhere above . . . what medicine.
I have similar thoughts on the subject, but am limited by the fact I don't own my own house. So can't install anything permanent or semi-permanent. For now we just cover the emergency level, with enough redundancy and supply to pull through a few weeks - a long enough runway to make other plans should things not look like they're going to turn around. We will stay warm and fed through any conceivable natural event that doesn't kill us outright, and have the option to be mobile should the need arise.
Longer term the plan is to be fully off grid in a small community and around 70% self-sufficient, and I'm fortunate to have a group of people who have the skills to make that happen (with our power combined!). Open question as to whether we'll get that together in time, since knowing "the time" is impossible.
Where things break down is the uncertainty in how other people will act, particularly those with nominal authority. But we made it through the early stage covid crazy just fine, and a couple minor natural disasters. The peace of mind knowing we had nothing to worry about was well worth the trouble.
I’m wondering if the 2003 blackout in the Northeast was the one that resulted in my father’s death. My parents lived in New York and when the power went out in August 2003 it got so hot that he had a heart attack and subsequently passed away.
Thanks for the article! Family members were skeptical until we had an unexpected 6 hour power outage. I used the 1000w portable solar generator to run the fridge, lights and television during primetime, lol. Crisis averted. I spent my Covid Reset stimulus $$ on a DIY Solar system with 6 Sok 100ah Lifepo4 batteries, 2 Epever 40A Mppts and 600 watts of folding and fixed 100 watt mono- panels. We have several backups for short-term heating w/ fireplace as well as for cooking, ice + styrofoam cooler + fan for AC, water filtration (calcium hypochlorite, survivor pro), hygiene (black bucket & pulley), self-defense (common calibers) and food cultivation, drying/canning and storage. We have a family cabin along the PA/NY border on 30 acres with abundant American Hophornbeam, Hickory, Black Walnut, old orchard Standard Apple and Sugar Maples. The neighboring farmer related through marriage has Belgian draught horses and a sizable beef herd. Population density at the cabin is barely 30 people and 80-100 whitetail per square mile. Hope for the best!
Excellent, practical well organized, readable. Highest recommendation as we go into the year of election driven political chaos here in the U Essen Ahhh.
Multiple Redundant Systems, yes.
I have been researching this for years now. There are so many ways to collect, generate and store energy in multiple contexts that it makes clear that the powers that be have no interest whatsoever in a better world for anyone but themselves. It’s completely up to us. As you say it’s about building resiliency.
I’m saving to buy land in the mountains to build an organic farm and host a small community. I’m not a hippie or a rainbow child. I have researched intentional communities and cults and have found that most fail due to lack of proper planning and leadership. Building community is essential to SHTF and post-apocalyptic survival.
The energy systems I plan on building are solar electric, solar thermal, shallow geothermal, wood gas generator, low pressure steam engine generator, capturing the heat energy from the steam after it exists the engine, integrated earth ship solar gain and thermal mass concepts, radiant floor heating, a range of embedded cold storage systems such as walk in fridge and freezer, and a compressed air system. Compressed air is a good energy storage solution. It can run a generator or pneumatic tools. It can also be incorporated into an air filtration/conditioning system.
I would also build a robust water system including hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic agriculture systems, a septic system and a gray water system, roof watershed capture, and water filtration and storage systems. A properly functioning and maintained gray water system provides nutrient rich irrigation water as well as animal feed in the form of cattails and duck weed.
I have recently been researching permaculture which is based on ecology and systems thinking and applies to more than gardening, it is directly concerned with building a better planet and a resilient humanity.
Good to hear someone is taking this seriously. I don't hear much on substack about this info. Thanks for sharing.
Cayenne, yes. I encapsulate it -- I've heard you're not supposed to do that, but have done so almost without incident for the past couple of decades; taken with food and "no heavy lifting" for about half an hour. I had one near-death experience recently, but after several minutes, I felt fine. The lobelia tincture, with half vodka, half vinegar is nauseating if savored overmuch.
What with these nanoparticles being injected IM and sprayed lately everywhere above . . . what medicine.
I have similar thoughts on the subject, but am limited by the fact I don't own my own house. So can't install anything permanent or semi-permanent. For now we just cover the emergency level, with enough redundancy and supply to pull through a few weeks - a long enough runway to make other plans should things not look like they're going to turn around. We will stay warm and fed through any conceivable natural event that doesn't kill us outright, and have the option to be mobile should the need arise.
Longer term the plan is to be fully off grid in a small community and around 70% self-sufficient, and I'm fortunate to have a group of people who have the skills to make that happen (with our power combined!). Open question as to whether we'll get that together in time, since knowing "the time" is impossible.
Where things break down is the uncertainty in how other people will act, particularly those with nominal authority. But we made it through the early stage covid crazy just fine, and a couple minor natural disasters. The peace of mind knowing we had nothing to worry about was well worth the trouble.
I’m wondering if the 2003 blackout in the Northeast was the one that resulted in my father’s death. My parents lived in New York and when the power went out in August 2003 it got so hot that he had a heart attack and subsequently passed away.