The veneer of civilisation
Discussion
Watching the news footage last night from the US confirmed the thought I have had for a long time that the veneer of civilisation is mighty thin, and we walk a very fine line. Lose electricity and clean water and look out dark ages, here we come. A couple of centuries of progress undone in a handful of days as the survival instinct kicks in. Not so long ago I recall a report that said there is no more than 2 or 3 days food supply in the shops in this country and if that were to run out anarchy would be close behind. I don't know what lessons can or will be learned from New Orleans, but in times of trouble, I don't think Government will be much help, other than putting armed troops on every street corner.
Very scary. Anyone else thinking about digging a well in the garden and planting a vegatable patch?
Very scary. Anyone else thinking about digging a well in the garden and planting a vegatable patch?
I think its important to note that this is the behavior of SOME of the people who decided not to take action and avoid getting stuck in the flooding prior to the hurricane despite the warnings issued to leave. I don’t think we would all act like this under the given situation, most of us could desalinize water and plan an escape (Providing of course that for some obscure reason we decided to ignore warnings to leave in the first place).
mutt k said:
Not so long ago I recall a report that said there is no more than 2 or 3 days food supply in the shops in this country and if that were to run out anarchy would be close behind.
Discounting the fidge & freezer (ie power cut) I usually have enough dried and tinned food in the house at anyone time to last at least a couple of weeks, plus I have a camping stove and gas in the garage I could use in case the gas is cut of. candles, torches, sleeping bags etc etc,
There are lots of cats round my way so no worries about running out of food.
If you have ever been camping then you will have lots of stuff you can use should the worst happen
speedy_thrills said:
I think its important to note that this is the behavior of SOME of the people who decided not to take action and avoid getting stuck in the flooding prior to the hurricane despite the warnings issued to leave. I don’t think we would all act like this under the given situation, most of us could desalinize water and plan an escape (Providing of course that for some obscure reason we decided to ignore warnings to leave in the first place).
Very much agreed. It looks like a certain percentage of the people left in Orleans are those who were too poor, ill or daft to take heed of the warnings. No doubt some are there simply because they know they can take advantage of the situation. That's a crass generalisation, but the situation will have biased the selection process.
In other words, the people left in those areas are not a cross section of normal civilised society. I have the deepest sympathy for everyone caught up in the disaster and I'm sure the reports of looting and lawlessness are not representative of the majority of Americans. The well educated, wealthy and law abiding citizens will have left the area days ago.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I must admit i never gave it any thought before but its funny how after the Tsunami disaster society pulled together yet on the other hand in what you would think was a more civilised country things have gone to pot,is civil unrest really that close to the surface in parts of the USA??
timmy30 said:
What you need is a projectlile firing device powered by black powder directed via a hollowed out steel cylinder ( sorry I think we're not allowed to mention what these are on PH officially ), tinned food and some gold
Not very portable but great for home defence. A lawn mounted minigun with a motion sensor so the barrel can track and eliminate intruders.
ZR1cliff said:
I must admit i never gave it any thought before but its funny how after the Tsunami disaster society pulled together yet on the other hand in what you would think was a more civilised country things have gone to pot,is civil unrest really that close to the surface in parts of the USA??
That is a very interesting point. It is interesting how so called 3rd world countries pulled together in order to prevent suffering of fellow man and the americans are all out for what they can get / steal / loot etc.
TeamD said:
Are you so sure? Just because it didn't get reported, I doesn't mean it didn't happen.
My parents are from Sri Lanka. While there were incidents of looting, they were few and far between. The country really did pull together out there - it was incredible to see (I went back with parents shortly after the Tsunami - the family is involved in setting up schools and shelter on the south of the island). Very different atmosphere to the reports we're getting from New Orleans.
Not that the Sri Lankan government did anything at all, the useles b*stards. More seems to be getting done out there (still) by private/family organisations than the state. Yet the president just threw herself a 60million rupee birthday party. God love politicians, eh?
shadytree said:
What about remove PH
anarchy would break out in a matter of minutes.
That is very true Shady. Last time it went down I rampaged around the offices, tore up carpet, looted the stationary cupboard, and would have killed at least three secretaries and a senior manager had not service been resumed.
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