The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “HJL”. Yet again, up to nine million webcams are at risk.

Robotic Parkour

Over the last two years, we’ve been tracking the progress that Boston Dynamics has been making with their robots. Unlike the simple movements that robots like the Japanese Asimov is capable of, Boston Dynamics has been targeting “off road” use. These robots do not require level ground to operate on and are becoming quite capable of very human-like movements. Watching Atlas perform some basic parkour like jumping over a large log and leaping up multiple level platforms while not missing a beat on it’s jog is quite amazing. Atlas is a man-sized bipedal robot that has an on-board power source. Only a year ago, it was struggling to maintain balance when pushed. Thanks to G.P. for the video link.

DNA Registries

Apparently, more than 60 percent of Americans with European ancestry can be identified through the various DNA registries and databases, even if they have not submitted their own DNA. This is according to a report issued Thursday. Because of the registries ability to track relatives, even if a cousin submits their DNA and lists you as a cousin, there is enough information present that you can be tracked.

This information can be used for good like tracking a long lost relative or family tree or tracking a criminal. It can also be used for evil, like tracking those who have genetic defects that would raise insurance rates. What happens when a particular race of people are suddenly deemed sub-human and pursued for extermination? After watching the recent mob scenes over the confirmation of Kavanagh, I have to wonder how far our society is from something like this. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

Why You Go Armed

Pat Cascio, SurvivalBlog’s Field Gear Editor, sent in this link to an article on why you always go armed where ever you can. Somalis rioted at a Minnesota amusement park, forcing the evacuation of guests. The park was celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Day when a group of Somali teenagers and men rushed through security and caused several violent fights to break out inside the park. The fights were both among themselves and with the park guests. The park was full of police officers and other members of law enforcement along with their families. An estimated 263 officers responded to the fights. It appears that this was a demonstration targeting police.

Paracord

Reader DSV sent in this link to 101 uses for paracord. From making lanyards to measuring distances, this woven cord has become one of the staples of survival kits. It’s so ubiquitous that I keep a spool of it in my bug-out trailer. Just this last vacation, I used it to make lanyards for identity tags at a gathering of people so I didn’t have to poke holes in my shirts with the ID tags. I also used it to replace the window tie-downs on the tent so they could be open, yet give some rain protection. That same spool of cord was used to hang a fan in the tent so it was bearable in the 90 degree heat. If you don’t have at least a hank of this in your kit, you’re missing out.

Five Basic Knots

While your thinking about buying that paracord, you should also check out this link from Valley Food Storage (a SurvivalBlog advertiser) on five knots you should know. The first two knots, the square knot and the bowline, cover about 85% of all the knots that I find myself needing to tie. I personally would have added a taught line hitch (midshipman’s hitch) to the list though, probably in the number three spot. Most commercial tents come with tie downs that usually include some sort of plastic or metal tensioning device.

Even good canvas tents usually come with a wooden tensioner and it’s easy to make your own. However, when you are in the field and have to replace a broken tensioning device or tent tie down, nothing beats the taught line hitch for adjustable line tension. By the way, if you like knots, you need to own a copy of this reference book: The Ashley Book of Knots.

Giving Up on Public School

Reader DSV sent in this article from the New York Post on how parents across America are giving up on public schools and homeschooling their children. We have been so brainwashed into thinking that the average person can’t school their children that most parents just don’t think they can. Yet, this is exactly what built America. You, as a parent, know much more about your child than any public school teacher can ever know and you can tailor their education specifically to their needs. There are many helps available to you as well. Just search the pages of SurvivalBlog for the keywords of “homeschool” or “home school” to find an amazing amount of valuable information on how to start this process. Don’t let some stranger with socialist/communist values determine your child’s core beliefs!

Webcams

I’m sure by now that SurvivalBlog readers have taken the time to secure the logins on those fancy new webcams that they’ve bought to help provide surveillance and security around their retreats. But just in case, here is another reminder that you can’t just plug those things in and run with them. You have to take the time to read the manual and configure them properly or you are just providing someone the perfect opportunity to spy on you. The information that you use to verify the safety and security of your family is the same information that someone else needs to steal your identity or to know when you are or are not home.

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Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!