10,000 years of prepping ....

[Squawk]

"Life is getting more precarious. Going back in time. What did they do back in time ?"

No one really knows how far we have to go back in time to answer that question, but 10,000 years would be a reasonable estimate for when isolated hunter gatherer families came to form larger social groups, such as tribes. They did this for the protection and benefits the larger group gave them. Each 'tribe' had it's own basic set of rules, much as we do today. Unlike today, anyone wanting to join a group had to prove to that group that they could contribute more to the group than they would take out of it, because all societies are basically selfish in nature and always have been. So if you had something that the group wanted or posessed some unique skill that did not exist within the group. then that was how you gained acceptance to the group.

Going forward into modern SHTF scenrio, what material things, or special skills do you have to get you accepted into a mutual defence survival group ?. Or ... will you and your dependants be just more useless mouths to feed ?.

Among the material things I mentioned is the subject of money, which is of course only a token. I have a bucket full of copper coins and another smaller one full of modern silver coins. History shows that medieval man ploughing a field would stop and pick up any Roman gold or silver coins because they still had worth as tokens. Many were woth far more than face value in the same way as a modern 2 pence copper coin is now worth 3 pence in scrap copper value. So how about paper money ?. Well it really depends upon which disaster you are prepping for. I decided to prep for the very worst that can happen to mankind, which I think would be a pandemic .... probably of the squawk squawk kind. In a pandemic paper money becomes a hazard, because it absorbs the virus in aerosol droplet form and cannot easily be decontaminated ... whereas coins can. I quess if SHTF ever happens, a new rate of exchange for coins of all ages will quickly appear.

[beavy69]

I see the relevance in making the parallel you've made between past and future groups of people joining together out of a mutual understanding or benefit, but I would contest that these smaller groups always expect more out of new members than can be offered to them. Humans are social creatures and naturally reside in groups, which can never have participants of totally equal worth to the group as a whole, (just consider age for a start). The fact that the less useful members remain in the group (an in some cases thrive) suggests there are more factors than contribution to group activities alone to consider.

What would I have to offer in a SHTF scenario? I have always been a jack of all trades and master of none, and whilst there are those with specific skills (e.g. doctor/dentist) who would no doubt be invaluable to such a group, I believe the main thing myself and many others on this forum would have to offer is knowledge and the mentality to have prepared and acquired that knowledge. Our special skill is knowing how to look after ourselves when all else fails.

I think there would be a lot more things to worry about in a pandemic than paper money, most clothes and upholstery fabrics are more absorbent for a start. But I admire you for considering it, as I wouldn't know what to prepare beyond face masks, fastidious hygiene and quarantining.

[Squawk]

" ....never have participants of totally equal worth to the group as a whole, (just consider age for a start)".

OK I have considered it and think that before the 1840's the aged had a very important role to play in any group. For example who looked after and educated the children when the parents were out working in the fields from dawn to dusk , out hunting or gathering food ?. Who were the medics and group experts on a wide range of subjects. Who cared for the sick and prepared food for the group ?.

[preppingsu]

If you look back at history you will notice that families were very important. There wasn't the nuclear family that is prominent today. Extended family was the norm, often all living together. This allowed other family members to look after younger children, share chores etc. It may well be due to economic considerations that we return to this way of living as the younger generation cannot afford to own/rent their own homes. Grandparents are beginning to provide childcare as parents cannot afford to pay private childcare.

As regards post shtf scenario, it will never be as difficult as living in the Stone Age etc as we now have the knowledge. We should ensure that we continue to build on our knowledge and develop skills that can be used. It may well be a simpler way of life.

On a personal note, we have chosen to learn traditional ways of doing things, moving away from power tools and reliance on machinery. We are learning animal husbandry, out of an interest but knowing its a useful skill. We are making the mistakes now when it's not so vital. I now that we are in a fortunate position that we are able to do these things but its also about the mindset....you need to want to learn, to practise etc. That's how you will survive in the future.

[DreamOfPrepping]

OK I have considered it and think that before the 1840's the aged had a very important role to play in any group. For example who looked after and educated the children when the parents were out working in the fields from dawn to dusk , out hunting or gathering food ?. Who were the medics and group experts on a wide range of subjects. Who cared for the sick and prepared food for the group ?.

Before 1840's women did the majority of the jobs around the house not the aged because disese would have killed them off and not the nasty illnesses we have today it wud av been a simple cold or flu if they had no money.

When the children were old enough to walk they were taught how to work in the fields and/or hunt and gather food. Bartering was the currency where a loaf of bread would be worth the amount of work it took to make it...

[PreppingPingu]

As we live our lives day to day in the hear and now, we build relationships, reputations and gain knowledge. With in our circles of friends and acquaintances is expertise we draw on. Example - my dear friend and neighbour is very artistic and can paint and draw. I tend er on the practical. Our daughters were designing and making bubble wrap dresses for school out of recycles materials. She called on me to help with the "how on earth to fix it together" as she said - "if you want something painted I'm your girl but I don't know where to start on this" Where as when I needed something drawn, I asked her. Ok not end of the world stuff but you see how relationships and knowledge bases are built and shared. In a post shtf time, I think we would automatically use each others expertise and form groups that would be beneficial to each other.