Day: April 11, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present two more entries for Round 40 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for …


Entomophagy Diet Supplementation Options, by C.N.

“Entomophagy is the consumption of insects as food. Insects are eaten by many animals, but the term is generally used to refer to human consumption of insects; animals that eat insects are known as insectivores.” -Wikipedia This subject is fairly arcane, so I’ll be relying on several authoritative sources, in fair use. I have attributed all quotes and have provided links to their sources. Please take the time to explore these web sites, for further detail on this subject. Like it or not, you’ve probably eaten some in your life.  From Wikipedia: “According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s …


SHTF-Oriented Fitness and Martial Arts for a Middle-Aged Couch Potato, by Dimitri G.

First off: English is not my native language. I apologize if this article is not easy to read. I hope that its usefulness will outweigh the inconvenience. I am 40 years old, overweight by about 50 pounds, and I regretfully admit that in the past 15 or so years I became a “couch potato”. In other words, my physical fitness is not up to the challenges of any survival situation. When I was a lot younger, I practiced karate, boxing, and weight lifting. I was pretty tough, and even back in high school there was no bully who would risk …


Letter Re: Soda Vending Machines as Gun Vaults

James Wesley: For use as an unobtrusive and inexpensive alternative to purpose-built weapons safes, I recommend finding an old, non-functional soda vending machine. Remove the guts (we call it the ‘stack’) and refrigeration system, but leave the lights in the door. (Be careful, the light ballast wiring will bite: 5,000 volts).   Tap into the 110 Volt AC wiring on the vending machine to power your Goldenrod Dehumidifier.   Store your valuables inside where the guts used to be.  Lock the door and keep the key.  [If it will be at your private business but in a location that might …


Economics and Investing:

Steven M. sent this: Soaring battery prices “devastating” U.S. lead producers. The Coming China Economic Super Crisis. (Thanks to J.McC. for the link.) The suffocation of unsustainable global debt – Total global debt is now over $190 trillion and more than three times global GDP. Contagion with European Union Toby Connor: Stocks are re-entering a parabolic “bubble” phase Frequent content contributor Diana V. mentioned this over at Zero Hedge: Artemis On Volatility At World’s End: Deflation, Hyperinflation And The Alchemy Of Risk Items from The Economatrix: Why High Inflation is Inevitable Employment Gains Slow, Jobless Rate Drops Bernanke Says Financial …


Odds ‘n Sods:

J. McC. mentioned some commentary from Tom Chatham, over at SHTFPlan: If Technology Fails, Just How Long Are Your Long Range Plans?    o o o Islamic power grab in Mali. JWR’s Comments: This does not bode well for the region (including neighboring Darfur region and the fledgling nation of South Sudan.) It appears that that the new Islamic government in Tripoli (courtesy of your tax dollars) will be providing arms to not just the Tuaregs but also the Janajweed. Mali and Chad provide just slim pickings for these bandits and slavers. I suspect that South Sudan will soon see …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude.  Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation.  It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute." – Thomas Paine