Black Powder for Self-Reliance – Part 1, by M.B.

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Introductory Disclaimer:
Making black powder, while safe in the author’s experimental experience, can be dangerous. The author and SurvivalBlog.com do not endorse making black powder, and you do so at your own risk. Making black powder could also be in violation of the laws in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for compliance with all laws in your area. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog.com, are responsible for your use of the information in this article. The processes described herein are therefore for informational purposes only.

Safety Note:
Black powder can be dangerous if there is a gap between the powder and the projectile, when the firearm is loaded. When loading a muzzle loading firearm, be sure to seat the projectile firmly, so there is no empty space above the powder. This includes cap-and-ball revolvers, which can have no space between the powder and the ball or bullet, although wads can be used to fill the space when a light powder charge is used. When loading black powder cartridges, there must be no empty space inside the cartridge. You may need to use a wadding or other “filler” over the powder to take up the space inside the case.

INTRODUCTION

This article is intended to show the potential usefulness of black powder to preppers, especially in times of ammo shortages and gun bans, and to show how easy it is to make almost everything you need to keep a black powder firearm running, just about indefinitely. Please understand the repeated safety warnings: black powder behaves differently from smokeless powder, and knowing its unique characteristics is essential. You are strongly advised to exercise caution and to seek out a good black powder manual before venturing into black powder shooting for the first time.

WHY BLACK POWDER?

In a time of inexpensive AR-15s and plentiful ammo, it may seem silly to bother with black powder. It’s messy and will invite moisture and corrosion if not cleaned promptly. Black powder does not produce high velocities, and its low pressures and fouling make it incompatible with most semiautomatic firearms. It also produces a substantial amount of smoke. Outside of hunters and reenactors, many people look at black powder firearms as range toys with no applications as “serious” firearms.Continue reading“Black Powder for Self-Reliance – Part 1, by M.B.”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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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, we feature the knives produced by Cole’s Custom Cutlery. (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Idaho State Representative John Green (R-District 2B), has announced that he is now a candidate in the May 2020 Republican Primary Election for the Office of Kootenai County Sheriff.

o o o

Some Planning and Zoning petty tyrants in Bonner County, Idaho: Government says no more than 120 days on our land!!!

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Cole’s Custom Cutlery, in Bayview, Idaho makes some awesome knives. They specialize in sturdy fighting/utility knives with a deep tanto blade profile, and also make some gorgeous skinning knives.

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I don’t mention team sports very often in SurvivalBlog, but this was unusual:  Boise State’s win (30-19) over the U.S. Air Force Academy team. Look for Quarterback Bachmeier’s name to pop up, in the professional league news, in a few years.

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

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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 “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the risk of solar superstorms.

New Studies Warn of Cataclysmic Solar Superstorms

Scientific American reports: New Studies Warn of Cataclysmic Solar Superstorms — New data suggest the New York Railroad Storm could have surpassed the intensity of the famous Carrington Event of 1859. Here’s how the article begins:

“A powerful disaster-inducing geomagnetic storm is an inevitability in the near future, likely causing blackouts, satellite failures, and more. Unlike other threats to our planet, such as supervolcanoes or asteroids, the time frame for a cataclysmic geomagnetic storm—caused by eruptions from our sun playing havoc with Earth’s magnetic field—is comparatively short. It could happen in the next decade—or in the next century. All we know is, based on previous events, our planet will almost definitely be hit relatively soon, probably within 100 years.

Geomagnetic storms are caused by sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, resulting in calamities to which our modern technological society is becoming ever more susceptible. Most experts regard the Carrington Event, a so-called superstorm that occurred in September 1859, as the most powerful geomagnetic storm on record. But new data suggest that a later storm in May 1921 may have equaled or even eclipsed the Carrington Event in intensity, causing at least three major fires in the U.S., Canada and Sweden—and highlighting the damaging effects these storms can have on Earth today.

In a paper published in the journal Space Weather, Jeffrey Love of the U.S. Geological Survey and his colleagues reexamined the intensity of the 1921 event, known as the New York Railroad Storm, in greater detail than ever before. Although different measures of intensity exist, geomagnetic storms are often rated on an index called disturbance storm time (Dst)—a way of gauging global magnetic activity by averaging out values for the strength of Earth’s magnetic field measured at multiple locations. Our planet’s baseline Dst level is about –20 nanoteslas (nT), with a “superstorm” condition defined as occurring when levels fall below –250 nT. Studies of the very limited magnetic data from the Carrington Event peg its intensity at anywhere from –850 to –1,050 nT. According to Love’s study, the 1921 storm, however, came in at about –907 nT. “The 1921 storm could have been more intense than the 1859 storm,” Love says. “Prior to our paper, [the 1921 storm] was understood to be intense, but how intense wasn’t really clear.”

Some Food Shortages Ahead?

SurvivalBlog’s Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted this news: India: Modi government’s onion export ban a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction. Mike’s Comment: Also, China has bought Smithfield and is reportedly shipping all processed pork carcasses overseas to replace those lost to disease epidemic. Combined with early flooding in the US this year, expect many food prices to rise this winter.Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

Cold Steel Code 4 Folder, by Pat Cascio

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I’ve never been let down by any products from Cold Steel. I waited a good long time to get their Code 4 folder in my hands. It is a very popular folder, and they are quite often out of stock. But I found that it was worth the wait.

Lynn Thompson, who owns Cold Steel, started the trend with his version of the ancient Japanese Tanto style of blade – his first knife was a fixed blade version – and I couldn’t tell you how many companies attempted to copy it – all to no avail. You see, there is the original, and then there are all the others – and none really come close to the Cold Steel version. Now I’m not knocking anyone else’s Tanto folder, but I believe that Thompson just absolutely nailed it, on his version. I don’t think anyone makes a stronger Tanto fixed blade than Cold Steel does.

Take some time, and look at some of the videos on the Cold Steel web site, and you’ll see how Thompson and some of his friends, torture test his knives – and he isn’t shy about what he does – he just absolutely puts his knives through some serious testing – I don’t know of any other knife company, that can make the claims that Cold Steel does. As a sort of disclaimer, Thompson and I are friends, have been since I first started writing about knives, and I believe that was back in 1993. However, friendship aside, Lynn knows I report fairly and honestly on any knives I test, Cold Steel or from any other makers. I just call it the way I see it when I’m done with my testing.

A Cold Steel Tanto blade is tough, real tough – the design of the point on the blade, actually allows it to penetrate much deeper and with ease, when stabbed into any fleshy material, and even non-fleshy materials. Some of Cold Steel’s testing shows not only fixed blade Tanto blades being stabbed through a car’s hood, but also some of his folders with a Tanto blade – that is confidence in your products without a doubt.Continue reading“Cold Steel Code 4 Folder, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: Cord’s Baked Spaghetti Squash

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Reader “Cord” kindly sent us this recipe for baked Spaghetti Squash:

Directions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
  2. Wash one or more spaghetti squash.
  3. Trim the ends.
  4. Cut squash in half, lengthwise.
  5. Clean out and discard the seeds
  6. Place upside down in pan with 1/2in water
  7. Bake on center rack at 375 dregreees F for 40 minute or until tender. (Usually the outside of shell will indent easily.)
    While the squash bakes:
  8. Cook up ground sausage in a frying pan – enough to top the amount of squash
    We like to spice it up with salt, pepper, onion, green pepper, garlic and tad of hot pepper.
  9. Remove squash from oven – flip right side up.  (Be careful not to cut the shell as it will become your bowl.)
  10. Briefly fork most of the squash inside loose, to a spaghetti-like consistency.  Do not over-stir it, or it will get mushy.
  11. Slather each squash half with 2 tbls of butter
  12. Top with sausage.
  13. Cover that with a generous amount of your favorite grated or crumbled cheese.
  14. Return to 375* oven for about 10 minutes.
  15. Broil until the cheese browns to your liking.
SERVING

Serve hot, in the half-squash “bowl” placed on each dinner plate.

STORAGE

Keeps refrigerated for one day, and can be re-heated in a microwave oven.

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Do you have a favorite 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 and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at the risks of another economic depression. (See the Derivatives section.)

Precious Metals:

Video Interview: Why gold will hit $2,000 within two years according to Nolan Watson

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Gold, silver prices rally as storm clouds on horizon

Economy & Finance:

Buckle Up, Folks! Global M&A Plunges To 3-Year Low Amid Recession Threat 

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China Will Rein in Hong Kong Through Its Economy.  JWR’s Comment: And if that doesn’t work, they’ll deport the international press and start busting skulls.

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Recession or Slowdown? Why You Should Care About the Difference

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — October 6, 2019

Today is the birthday of science fiction author David Brin. (He was born in 1950.) He wrote The Postman, which was very loosely the foundation of a movie by Kevin Costner.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  3. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  4. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. 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).
  7. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Good2GoCo.com is providing a $400 purchase credit at regular prices for the prize winner’s choice of either Wise Foods or Augason long term storage foods, in stackable buckets.
  2. 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)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 85 ends on November 30th, 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.

Use Fiction To Become Better Prepared, by Alex

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The “prepper” community is largely (and some might say intentionally) misrepresented by the mass media. Many stereotypes about the survivalist originate in mainstream media non-fiction “documentary” and “reality television” programming: the lone wolf survivor, the person or group who actually want to see the end of the world come about, the people preparing so they can prey on the weak, gun lovers who welcome the opportunity to go on a rampage, etc, etc, etc. People within the community already know about these falsehoods. What I want to discuss is the role that fiction can play in the life of a prepper or survivalist.

People consume fiction in a variety of ways (books, television shows, movies) – almost always just for entertainment. Not many lessons can be learned from a ‘slasher’ horror movie except don’t run upstairs to escape the killer. I would contend that fiction from the survival/prepper/TEOTWAWKI genre can be much more than mindless entertainment. Survival fiction can be used as a means to learn, open up lines of communication, and get inspired. Even the critiques of the genre and individual works tell you how much you can learn (or have already learned) about preparedness.

“The main character was just too perfect.”

“No one in their right mind would do that.”

Have you ever said those? Both statements were probably true…but that means you were analyzing the characters and the story and applying your survival knowledge to the situation – and putting yourself in their shoes. You were becoming a better prepper without even knowing it! That in itself shows that fiction has a role in preparedness. But there are a few other ways that we can become better prepared using fiction.Continue reading“Use Fiction To Become Better Prepared, by Alex”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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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 “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the relative effectiveness of perpper spray versus firearms, for defense against bears..

Does Pepper Spray Work Better Than Lead Spray?

Reader Davy F. sent us this: Does Bear Spray Work? The science is clear, right? Not so fast, according to, well, science.

Two Interesting New 9mm Pistols

Jon Patton, over at TGC News recently mentioned two interesting new polymer frame 9mm pistol offerings: The Springfield Armory Hellcat, and the BUL Armory Cherokee, made in Israel. The latter is a DA/SA design that seems to be a cross between a Baby Desert Eagle and a CZ-75. The deep $150 discount he mentioned on the BUL Armory Cherokee is only available if you e-mail the manufacturer directly at:  “usa@bularmory.com“.  By the way, I highly recommend subscribing to TGC News for their weekly video summary of gun industry news.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

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“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” – 1 John 2:15-29 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — October 5, 2019

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I have an update on the turn-key homestead/retreat property in North Idaho that is being sold by Don and Patrice Lewis of the Rural Revolution blog. You may recall that I mentioned this property in SurvivalBlog two months ago. This great property is still available, and quite reasonably priced. It is located east of Plummer, Idaho. (That is just a bit over a one hour drive south of Coeur d’Alene.) Patrice just wrote me to mention one interesting option:

“For those who might be interested in the property but that are unable to relocate immediately, we’re offering a bit of a deal: If someone makes an acceptable offer and subsequently purchases the property, we will rent it back for the cost of their monthly mortgage payment until next spring/summer.”

I you are looking for a truly self-sufficient retreat property that sits on a defendable plateau, with lots of like-minded neighbors, then I recommend that you prayerfully consider buying it.

By the way, the peak of the fall colors in the region is in the last two weeks of October. So if you have a spouse who is “on the fence” about moving to Idaho, then that would be the time to travel there, to see the scenic beauty!

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October 5, 1703 was the birthday of Jonathan Edwards. He died March 22, 1758. He was a prolific Calvinist theological writer. Many of his writings were later collected in the multi-volume book The Rational Biblical Theology of Jonathan Edwards, edited by John Gerstner.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 85 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The more than $12,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3,000 gift certificate towards a Sol-Ark Solar Generator from Veteran owned Portable Solar LLC. The only EMP Hardened Solar Generator System available to the public.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any one, two, or three day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. 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,
  4. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper. These have hammer forged, chrome-lined barrels and a hard case, to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR-type rifle to have a quick change barrel. This can be assembled in less than one minute without the use of any tools. It also provides a compact carry capability in a hard case or in 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  7. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A gift certificate from Quantum Harvest LLC (up to a $2,200 value) good for 12% off the purchase of any of their sun-tracking models, and 10% off the purchase price of any of their other models.
  2. A Front Sight Lifetime Diamond Membership, providing lifetime free training at any Front Sight Nevada course, with no limit on repeating classes. This prize is courtesy of a SurvivalBlog reader who prefers to be anonymous.
  3. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  4. A $300 purchase credit for any of the products from EMPShield.com
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. 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).
  7. An assortment of products along with a one hour consultation on health and wellness from Pruitt’s Tree Resin (a $265 value).

Third Prize:

  1. Good2GoCo.com is providing a $400 purchase credit at regular prices for the prize winner’s choice of either Wise Foods or Augason long term storage foods, in stackable buckets.
  2. 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)
  3. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  4. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances.

Round 85 ends on November 30th, 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.

Thoughts on Survival at Rosh Hashana, by Ze’ev

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Editor’s Introductory Note:  This essay describes a SurvivalBlog reader’s thoughts on the nature of survival and the meme of survivalism, from the perspective of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. This was celebrated just one week ago. Rosh Hashana is a holiday, but a serious one. It is a time of introspection and renewal of faith.  L’Shana Tovah Tiketevu!  – JWR

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What does it mean to ‘survive?. There are different levels of survival for human beings. And even those ‘levels’ are subtle–based on how we perceive notions of survival. For more than 15 years I’ve oscillated between binges of reading survival information and blogs, and then at times ignoring it as my attention to the ‘survival’ community waxed and waned. Obviously, the levels at which survival can be perceived are influenced by our perception biases. Each individual experiences different biases at different times, moods, periods of their life, with respect to the different groups they belong to, and even with respect to the very medium of communication they are using to think and express their sentiments. Someone in the woods talking to a buddy about survivalism is likely to talk and think in very different terms than that same person, 12 hours later, when they are reading and then typing on the Internet.

From a young age, I was exposed to much ‘survival’ literature as it related to real-life stories about my grandparents fleeing Europe, as well as the stories of those who didn’t ‘make it out’. I also grew up on the communalist survival stories of how those who survived the war, then went on to thrive by continuing to fight and build their own worlds. These stories of my own personal bubble were a type of survivalism, but there are so many bubbles– theworld can be seen as a composite of nested bubbles, some expansive, some distinct, others even vaguely defined, some too remote to be seen, but above all, unknowingly interconnected.Continue reading“Thoughts on Survival at Rosh Hashana, by Ze’ev”