The Case for “Dumb” Phones, by A.R.

In the fall of 2021, I took a college course titled “Ethics & Social Responsibility in Technology.” The course began by investigating Amish communities as an example of technological stewardship. Contrary to popular belief (including my own before the class), Amish communities do in fact utilize a variety of technological innovations. What differentiates Amish technology use from mainstream culture is that the Amish view technology as a means to an end and do not blindly adopt new tech for the sake of progress. Rather, each new technology is carefully evaluated to determine if it aligns with their beliefs and lifestyle. Although adoption of technology is determined individually by Amish communities, in general most new technology is not adopted. The traditional Amish lifestyle is valued over the comforts and convenience of modern technology. Though it could be argued that the Amish have an overly suspicious view of innovation, it is hard to disagree with their belief that technology has the potential to greatly change a culture.

The class spurred me on to examine how I was using technology in my own life. While in general technology has had a positive effect on my life, I could not decide if smartphones helped me or not. As a millennial (on the young end of the age range) I first began using a smartphone around the time I graduated high school and had never looked back. Over the next decade and a half, I saw smartphones increase in processing power and Internet functionality. Without really thinking about it, I had grown accustomed to carrying around what was essentially a supercomputer in my pocket, along with the unbridled Internet and communication access that entailed.Continue reading“The Case for “Dumb” Phones, by A.R.”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Today’s column starts off with two news stories from The Netherlands.

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Farmers on frontline as Dutch divided by war on nitrogen pollution.

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Dutch Government Collapses Over Immigration Policy.

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The Gun Owners of America (GOA) posted this legislative alert:

“Democrats have re-introduced bills in both the House and the Senate to allow Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to pack the court with four new liberal justices. The bills are H.R. 3422 and S. 1616.” 

JWR’s Comment: Please contact your House and Senate members and insist that they strongly oppose this horrible legislation!

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A Direct Weather video: Preliminary Winter Forecast 2023 – 2024.

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Reader M.M. wrote:

“I loved reading the recent article by Jed. I also am an older guy who has lost about 25-30% of body strength. I have resigned myself to not leaving my abode and backpacking. Most folks will not last a month in the woods.

Each year we prepare for deer season at our camp. This requires the use of hand tools and chainsaws. Try working in summer weather for a few hours. Not days, hours. You will be exhausted. Can’t drink enough water. You will also crave chocolate for energy. My suggestion: Vacuum seal Tootsie Rolls for your supplies, since they remain intact for long periods of time.

Going to bug out and walk at night in the woods.  Probably will not make a mile or so in the dark. Pack a good pair of safety glasses, fogproof, and carry hand pruning shears for the thick brush and briars. Just a thought.

Plan on planting a garden? Ha, good luck. My father told me that during the Great Depression, thieves stole their peas and other produce at night. They had to plant extra every year to have enough food. The American Indians had a saying about growing corn: Plant 2 for the crow, 2 for coons, 2 for the deer, and 1 for you.

Have a well? Planning on running a generator for power? No gas, no water. Buy or build a well bucket. And be sure to buy several hundred feet of rope while both are still inexpensive, at Harbor Freight.

Night shift security? Buy or build an extra AR upper [dedicated] for night use. Just a few of my ramblings to add to his.”

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Think Twice Before Drinking From The Tap: Federal Study Finds ‘Forever Chemicals’ May Be Poisoning Your Water.

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Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — July 11, 2023

July 11th is the birthday of John Quincy Adams. He was born in 1767 and died in 1848. Not to be confused with his father John Adams, the younger Adams also served as a diplomat, congressman, and as president.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

An Outdoor Brick Oven, by 3AD Scout

Outdoor ovens have a very long history of use, compared to the modern gas and electric indoor ovens of today. The fuel for outdoor ovens is practically endless (depending upon where you live) so for those preparing to survive the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), an outdoor oven is a perfect addition to the retreat or homestead.

In England in the early 1600s, wealthy landlords would have ovens built and would sometimes charge the peasants to use the ovens. It was common in history for bread ovens to be shared by a community. We need to consider that bread and ale were the major sources of food/calories through much of history for many people. It would probably not be a stretch of the imagination to think that, at some point after TEOTWAWKI, ale and bread could once again become the staples that feed people. An outdoor oven is not just a resource to help you and your family survive but also a possible source of “revenue” by renting out its use.

The first time I saw a wood-fired oven in action were the clay ovens at Williamsburg, Virginia behind one of the functioning restaurants. I noticed one of the period-clothed reenactors tending to the oven and I stopped to chat. They use these clay ovens to actually bake the bread for the restaurants. My family was not as enthusiastic as I was about learning about a “pile of dirt”, but perhaps talking about an outdoor oven for an hour may have been a little extreme. That one-hour chat kindled a fire inside me to learn more about outdoor ovens.Continue reading“An Outdoor Brick Oven, by 3AD Scout”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, a special look at reports on the economy, jobs, and housing markets, throughout the Redoubt region.

Idaho

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, June 2023.

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Idaho Housing Market: Prices, Trends, Forecast 2023.

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Idaho Labor Market Information.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” – Alexis de Tocqueville

Preparedness Notes for Monday — July 10, 2023

July 10th is the birthday of British novelist John Wyndham. (His full name was John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris, but Harris shortened that to just “John Wyndham” for his pen name.) He we was born in 1903 and died March 11, 1969. Harris was a good friend of fellow novelist Samuel Youd (1922-2012), who wrote under several pen names, including John Christopher. Both men were famous for writing what are often called “cozy catastrophes”. Several of Wyndham’s novels and short stories have been adapted to film, with varying degrees of success. One of the best of these was a parallel universe story called Random Quest.

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We are seeking entries for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Fiocchi .38 S&W Ammunition, by Thomas Christianson

Recently, I have been working with a couple of old Smith and Wesson top-break revolvers. One is an exposed hammer Double Action Second Model from about 1882. The other is a Safety Hammerless Fifth Model from about 1940. Both are chambered in .38 S&W.

The original .38 S&W cartridge was designed for black powder. When it was first loaded with smokeless powder, the loads were light, intended to be used in firearms designed for black powder pressures.

Later on, from 1922 to 1963, the British armed forces adopted a version of the .38 S&W cartridge as their standard revolver cartridge. This later version, designed for sturdier Webley and Enfield revolvers, was significantly more powerful than the earlier version that had been developed in the late 1800s.

The old top breaks that I have been working with were not designed to withstand the pressures generated by the more powerful later cartridges. It was important to find some “kinder and gentler” ammo for them.

I contacted Fiocchi for help, and they were kind enough to provide me with some of their “Cowboy Action” 145-grain lead round nose (LRN) ammunition. The ammo proved to be clean, consistent, and (most importantly) did not damage the revolvers or the person firing them.

If you pick up an antique centerfire handgun from the Elk Creek Company, through Gunbroker, or elsewhere, I recommend that you seriously consider Fiocchi “Cowboy Action” ammo as the fodder of choice for your new acquisition.Continue reading“Fiocchi .38 S&W Ammunition, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Oven Pancakes

The following simple recipe for Oven Pancakes is from our Daughter-In-Law, Super Mom. After baking, it is served in sliced squares.

Bake in a large cast iron skillet or a 9″x13″ baking dish. This recipe feeds 4-6 adults.

Ingredients
  • Half dozen eggs
  • 1-1/2 cup flour
  • 1-1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Splash of vanilla (optional)
  • Cinnamon (optional)
  • Maple syrup (optional)
Directions
  1. Set the oven to 400°F.
  2. Preheat the pan and melt the butter in the oven.
  3. Blend the remaining ingredients to make a thin batter.
  4. Carefully pour the batter into the melted butter.
  5. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until puffed high and golden brown.
SERVING

Cut into serving-size pieces and serve hot, still puffed from the oven. Top with butter, peanut butter, jam, and/or maple syrup.

STORAGE

Leftovers can be refrigerated.

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Do you have a well-tested recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long-term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at strategic metals. (See the Commodities section. Pictured above is a Germanium Diode in a GFDL photo by Aomorikuma.)

Precious Metals:

Gold faces 10 months of headwinds from hawkish Fed while silver gets strong support from Europe – Heraeus.

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Mark Lundeen, at Gold-Eagle.com: The Price of Gold in Foreign Currencies.

Economy & Finance:

Corporate Bankruptcies Reach Highest Level Since 2010.

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Monthly Economic Review: July 2023

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Reader K.F.B. recommended this video interview with Bill Holter: We’re Going Off A Financial Cliff.

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A Fed paper: Review of the Federal Reserve’s Supervision and Regulation of Silicon ValleyBank,

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Linked over at the Whatfinger.com news aggregation site: Biden regulations have cost Americans almost $10,000 per household: study.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Facts are to the mind what food is to the body. On the due digestion of the former depend the strength and wisdom of the one, just as vigor and health depend on the other. The wisest in council, the ablest in debate, and the most agreeable companion in the commerce of human life, is that man who has assimilated to his understanding the greatest number of facts.” – Edmund Burke

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 9, 2023

The Battle of the Wilderness was fought on July 9th, 1755, in the French and Indian War.

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I was saddened to hear that Kevin Reeve, the founder and director of OnPoint Tactical Tracking School passed away on July 5th. Our condolences to his family and to his fellow trainers Kelly, Mike, and Steve.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Fix Bayonets!, by SwampFox

Bayonets have been part of warfare for more than 400 years. Likely first invented in France and named after the town of Bayonne, soldiers have found uses for something long and sharp at the end of a rifle or musket. While the days of single-shot weapons are long past and even some militaries are giving up teaching the use of the bayonet, it is an important tool that you should have.

Since the early days of black powder warfare, soldiers have been taught the basics of fencing one-on-one with bayonets, as well as swarming an enemy position as a group in a “bayonet charge.” Sometimes this was done on purpose and with forethought, sometimes it was done out of desperation. You can see examples of this in films such as Gettysburg. Typical bayonets prior to the current era were usually of the very long “socket” or “sword” types mounted on a musket or black powder rifle. Sometimes these ranged from eighteen inches in length to nearly two feet. Mounting that on a four-foot-long musket or rifle gave a soldier a very long spear with which to skewer the enemy. In the early 20th century, bayonets became smaller and lighter, and some were even permanently fixed to rifles like the SKS.Continue reading“Fix Bayonets!, by SwampFox”