So many things I don't know

[merc_man]

Now I'm not talking about particle physics or anything involving huge complex calculations and the like, I mean the simple things. Basic stuff that works but you've not got any idea how. I don't consider myself a thicky (mileage may vary, your own opinions are your own) but I'm sometimes amazed at all the basic stuff I just don't know.

Until last night I had no idea how an inertia reel in a seat belt worked. I tell you, when society does hit the rocks I'm in real trouble. I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

[Jasandjules]

If you can shoot straight you should be ok, once the bombs have come down, there won't be much need for anything else. You've seen Mad Max, right?

[Silent1]

I'm constantly amazed by the brain, how that a load fo cells firing electrical impulses can then create a set of emotions etc.

As i understand computers quite well, it's hard to imagine a free thinking system created without rules.

[Eric Mc]

I know a lot of things - in theory. But as far as "hands on" is concerned, I'm rubbish.

So I'd be doomed too.

[HappyGoLucky]

merc_man said:

I tell you, when society does hit the rocks I'm in real trouble. I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

Don't sweat it, you'll figure it out or die trying. Worrying about it now won't help as we're not sure what type of disaster will bring about the downfall of mankind yet. You'd feel a right tt if you'd erred on the side of plague & pestilience and honed your skills accordingly only to find yourself fighting robots terminator stylee!

HTH

[G'kar]

merc_man said:

I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

When the balloon goes up, if the choice is between food and a really trick relational database, then I'm afraid you're going to be on the barbeque, not attending it.

[blindswelledrat]

merc_man said:

.

Until last night I had no idea how an inertia reel in a seat belt worked. I tell you, when society does hit the rocks I'm in real trouble. I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

Why on earth would anyone know or need to know about how and inertia reel in a seat belt needs to work?
I wouldnt worry too much. After societys collapse and subsequent recovery and you set up your own car manufacturer, I am sure there will still be someone around who knows how to make seatbelts stick hard when pulled fast.
I think not knowing that will not be life or death for you.

[Sciroccology]

G'kar said:

merc_man said:

I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

When the balloon goes up, if the choice is between food and a really trick relational database, then I'm afraid you're going to be on the barbeque, not attending it.

When the balloon goes up, I'm going to be in the balloon. With a sniper rifle.

[Gargamel]

Just fit a fixed harness in it - just as effective.

[Arese]

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

HTH

[merc_man]

The seat belt thing was just an example. Although possibly knowing that might persuade the radioactive zombie like hordes that you are some kind of god and thus you'll not have to lift a finger (unless to dislodge it when it's fallen off of one of your devout followers).

I am a good shot but to be honest when the ammo runs out how do you make gunpowder and bullets from the assorted crap you have in the garage? Personally I think we'll all be desperately trying to get enough battery power to watch the back catalogue of Ray Mears!

[Mars]

Inertia reel seatbelts are easy. Look into differentials if you want your head to bend, and once you have the hang of them, look into the gear-type LSDs you can buy from AP or Quaife. Now THEY require some brain-power to understand. Compared with those, automatic gearboxes are bloody Meccano. They are one of those items that I have the capability of understanding while I'm reading an explanation about them, but I could never reproduce the logic required to explain them to anyone else.

[cs02rm0]

merc_man said:

Until last night I had no idea how an inertia reel in a seat belt worked. I tell you, when society does hit the rocks I'm in real trouble.

That was interesting, I think I caught that flicking channels, seemed fantastically simple to me, although I'd have never worked it out without taking one apart. When society ends I'm not sure it'll be too useful though.

[MentalSarcasm]

Sciroccology said:

G'kar said:

merc_man said:

I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

When the balloon goes up, if the choice is between food and a really trick relational database, then I'm afraid you're going to be on the barbeque, not attending it.

When the balloon goes up, I'm going to be in the balloon. With a sniper rifle.

If it's a post-apocalyptic world featuring zombies then the sniper rifle will be useless, it's a shotgun for dealing with zombies.

[ypauly]

merc_man said:

Now I'm not talking about particle physics or anything involving huge complex calculations and the like, I mean the simple things. Basic stuff that works but you've not got any idea how. I don't consider myself a thicky (mileage may vary, your own opinions are your own) but I'm sometimes amazed at all the basic stuff I just don't know.

Until last night I had no idea how an inertia reel in a seat belt worked. I tell you, when society does hit the rocks I'm in real trouble. I'm not sure how transferrable my data warehouse skills are going to be in the post-apocalyptic aftermath.

I was having a similar though just the other day. We should know how to do basic things like making metal tools when all we have is a field and a few hills. just the thought that we would no longer be able to go to the shop for things is terrifying

though I thing pottery won't be a problem, just the knife and fork

[OJ]

As long as I've got an internet connection to Wikipedia I fear nothing