Good day,
DD’s post was full of stark and poignant remarks and possibilities
which resonate with me greatly. It was much like “Why I Won’t Be Charitable
When SHTF” by Chris Carrington. I have previously discussed preps with close
friends but in hindsight regret this, given that loose lips costs lives. To
redress the balance, when opportunity is arising, I’m backtracking by stating
that I got a little over interested in the subject and have since come to
realize that such a situation is highly improbable (while still emphasizing the
importance of preps) and have been compelled to give a lot of the stocked goods
away to food banks on the basis that “it was silly to have it going unused when
people were in need NOW” or my household used it without rotating/replenishing.
This not being a complete falsehood, as some have indeed gone to food bank
collections and rotation has slipped of late *slapped wrist*.
In my letter responding to “Why I
Won’t Be Charitable…”, I emphasized the importance of knowledge being the asset
we can share (prudently of course) and it be a possible increase in OPSEC and
not create liability. DD does have a good point, amongst many, concerning time
management when he says, “Now they’ll want to be taught. Do you have the time
and supplies to teach them to shoot, hunt, build a fire, and so forth?” and
what a drain on such a valuable resource they will be. However, this again
could be lemons into lemonade. Teach a gal to fish….ask for fish in payment!
Teach a guy how to raise rabbits and ask for something in exchange and so on.
They’ll be no shortage of extra hands and plenty to occupy them with. Make
yourself valuable to those around you, not your physical possessions/preps but
you as a person, your skills and intellectual property and if the acquisition
of your know-how ever arises in conversation, perhaps it could go something
like this:
Other: You seem to know your stuff,
how’s that?
You: Oh, it’s started out as a bit
of fun. I found it all rather interesting after reading some novels/watching
some movies about everything going to hell in a hand-basket. I never had any
spare cash to buy the innumerable amount of “stuff” one needs to be ready for
something bad but still found it interesting as a subject. Never thought
something like this would actually happen and sure wish I’d leveraged some
money to get a few important bits and pieces now, that’s a huge regret. Just
some extra food at least. I’ve got several novels, they probably cost me enough
for two weeks of groceries. Boy, do I feel stupid, ‘cos I can’t eat fiction!
(The other person hopefully comes away thinking you are a handy guy to have
around and perhaps compelled to look after your interests but also doesn’t see
you as a viable target for harassment, theft, ransom and/or blackmail.
Hopefully, the grapevine will work its magic by letting others know you’re just
as needy as they are and a waste of time and energy for looters and the like
but worthwhile in getting to know. Then you can possibly network and barter
your time in exchange for anything they have to offer.)
You: Shucks! I’ve got so much to do
and no time to do it. I’d love to help you with your food/water shortage
problem (security issues, sanitation worries, lack of skills, concerns over
transport and so on), but I’ve got a dilemma wrapped in a quandary stuck
between problem and a nightmare to deal with myself. Perhaps you could help me
with something to free up some time so we can talk?
This is theory of course, and one
thing I strongly encourage anyone who intends to integrate with community is to
study body language and physical “tells” to detect the underlying intent of
people. Additionally, the “grey man” directive/techniques to place upon
yourself during such interactions, including those DD outlines with unprepared
friends. Grey man considers his words, dress, actions and mannerism carefully
and avoids unwanted attention, by all accounts he’s an actor, distorting his
true persona and status. If you discuss preps with others, stop this instant;
every word could be the equivalent of giving away a #10 can. Find joy in
“keeping mum”, just like you do with account passwords and the location of
valuables.
Good post DD.
Kind regards survivors.
RD
From the Survival Blog
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