What is Survival?- Part 4, by MuddyKid

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I’ve asked the question, what is survival. Mostly, up to this point, I’ve talked about providing long-term resources for food when the stores are no longer an option. We’ve talked about gardening, foraging for plants, and hunting or trapping. This was just part of my journey in developing a means for survival.

Feeling Depressed, Looking Through Digital Window

As I had previously mentioned, during my time out in the woods learning skills and testing my gear, I was also reading anything and everything I could that related to the state of the world and ways to protect my family. After several years of this, I began feeling depressed.

Every day the news was saying something bad was happening in the world and this created a lot of fear. Then, with time, I started to question that, when I was looking through this digital window that is the Internet, the majority of what I saw was an ugly world. According to that, the world was almost entirely focusing on sexuality, aggression, and fear. I would then go outside and notice that my immediate environment was peaceful and green, neighbors would wave, and animals were running around. Then, when I went back inside to look through the digital window, to my surprise there was more violence, fear, and sexuality.

News About Survival

These observations, along with some of the books I was reading at the time, led to the idea that the news itself is entirely about survival. What I mean is, the news frames stories in ways to where other people died and we, the reader, survived. The news shapes how we see and understand the world. But what world are we talking about here? Could this view of the news relate to legibility? My immediate world was completely different from what the news was telling me.

Continue reading“What is Survival?- Part 4, by MuddyKid”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest 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 JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on obsolete stock certificates. (See the Tangibles Investing section.)

 

Precious Metals:

Gold: If Only the ‘Smart Money’ Could Buy…

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At last glance, spot platinum was at $809 per ounce.  JWR’s Comment: That is a screaming buy, in my opinion.

 

Commodities:

Colin First: Commodities Daily Forecast – July 19, 2018

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The FOMC’s moves and the flattening Yield Curve have pushed a lot of commodities in a new direction. For example: Lumber.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday – July 19, 2018

July 19th is coincidentally the birthday of handgun designers Samuel Colt (born 1814) and Gaston Glock (born 1929).

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 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. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. 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,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  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).

Round 77 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.

What is Survival?- Part 3, by MuddyKid

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I’ve asked the question, what is survival and am addressing my progress in discovery of solutions from short-term to long-term ones. In the last part, we left off talking about hunting as a survival technique and that not all hunting is the same. Many seem to have the opinion that the “Golden Horde” will strip the land of all flora and fauna and there will be no natural resources. It’s my opinion that this is sci-fi. I explained that not all hunting in the same. Let’s consider some more of my reasons for thinking that hunting will be viable as one means for survival, in certain cases.

Urban Human and Animal Interaction

Another point to consider is the proximity of a hunter to an urban center, or rather how often humans and animals interact. This will have an impact on the animal’s behavior. A suburban deer is going to be much more domesticated than a rural deer. This means a suburban deer could be completely comfortable with allowing a person to casually walk within fifty yards of it. A country deer, on the other hand, will require real skill to stalk within fifty yards of it.

Stalking a Deer

For those of you who can stalk a deer in such a fashion, you can do so because of skill and your understanding of the environment. You are aware of your scent, wind direction, you have no sense of time, and you understand the weather and climatic conditions. (Good luck stalking a deer in the woods during a dry fall season.) You already have an understanding of deer behavior in your hunting area. Most hunters do not have these skills. Some do; most don’t.

Continue reading“What is Survival?- Part 3, by MuddyKid”

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 “HJL”. Of particular interest today is the article on radio direction finding.

Genetically Modified Babies

In a disturbing announcement, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in the UK has stated that they agree that changing the DNA of a human embryo could be morally permissible if it is in the best interest of the child. This opens up the ability for parents to alter their children’s DNA if they perceive it would give their baby the best chance at life. The announcement also said that the change could not add to the kinds of inequalities that already divide society. While there may be some good that could be accomplished through such a program, like stopping certain inheritable diseases, it is far more likely that parents will engineer physical or mental traits. For now, British law (as well as law in many countries) forbids tinkering in the DNA of humans, but I fear that time is coming. Thanks to G.P. for the link.

Heighten Your Senses

The Art of Manliness has an article on 10 tests, exercises and games that can be used to heighten your senses and situational awareness. We all know that walking around in Cooper’s “condition white” is a situation that just begs to problems to occur, yet that is generally what the population around is doing. It’s easy to fall into that habit. Rather than spend your time walking around like a sheep, you should focus on what your physical and mental tasks are at hand. If your driving, you shouldn’t be thinking about that argument you had with your spouse. Keep your mind on your driving. I can’t tell you how many times I have driven somewhere only to arrive and not remember anything about the drive because I was preoccupied. This article gives you some simple things you can do to practice keeping your mind focused. You don’t have to be a man to do them either. Ladies and kids can practice these too.

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

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday – July 18, 2018

1

I just heard that Mama Liberty (Susan Callaway) has passed away. She was a great champion of the individual liberty movement. Susan kindly handled mail forwarding for JWR and SurvivalBlog for several years, from a P.O. Box in Newcastle, Wyoming. She refused to take anything more than reimbursement for her costs. That was just her way of doing things. Acts of kindness like those typified her life, and how she lived it. She was a fine lady, and we are all diminished by her passing. Please pray for the members of her family.

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We are coming up on the end of Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog Non-Fiction Writing Contest. If you’ve been working on that article, now is the time to finish it up and get it sent in.

Don’t think that you have nothing to say! You don’t have to be an expert to write an article either. The best articles are just people writing up their own experiences as they live them. That project that you just completed to help prepare or secure you family would make an excellent article. Write it up and send it in!

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 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. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. 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,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  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).

Round 77 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.

What is Survival?- Part 2, by MuddyKid

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We are discussing the meaning of survival. In particular, we were looking at providing long-terms resources when we are no longer able to purchase items and considering food specifically at this point in the article series. We have taken a look at gardening and are now talking about wild edibles. We just left off with wild carrots that are considered a weed in my area and seem to be everywhere.

Exploring New Species of Plants

Then I thought, “What other types of edible plants are around that I do not know about?” I slowly began picking a new species of plant regularly and would hike all over my immediate region to identify, study, and explore new species of plants. Once you successfully identify a plant and understand its uses, it is pretty amazing how they are all of a sudden everywhere. Driving down the road then became the wild equivalent to walking down the grocery store isle. And, I found the experience exciting and fun.

Do Not Eat For First Year of Study

I was beginning to see nature in a different way than I had before. An important note about exploring and eating wild edibles: I strongly suggest you do not eat anything for the first year of study. You want to observe the life cycle of the plant to know when to harvest, how to harvest, and if it is the correct plant. Hemlock looks a lot like carrot in the early season and you can die if you eat the wrong one. Also, certain wild plants are just fine in moderation but too much of a plant can make you sick. But, do not let this scare you. Eating too much chocolate will do the same thing.

Continue reading“What is Survival?- Part 2, by MuddyKid”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

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Here are the latest 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 JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on the Gold Summer Doldrums. (See the Precious Metals section.)

Precious Metals (Gold Summer Doldrums):

Typically, the spot and futures price of gold go into doldrums, every summer.  But this summer gold is particularly weak–at least when priced in Dollars. The other precious metals have mostly followed suit. Low points like this are usually a good time to buy. Here are few telling headlines:

Gold Prices Down As Fed’s Powell Stays The Course On Economy Interest Rate Outlook

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Gold Prices Sink To New 1-Year Low Ahead Of Powell Testimony

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Gold Market Update

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Amplats, PIC invest R2.6bn in platinum venture funds

 

Commodities:

Natural gas-power to hit near record highs as coal-use hovers lower

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Record Oil Production Doesn’t Free U.S. From Global Market

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

JWR’s Recommendations of the Week

6

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. This week the focus is on storage cabinets. (See the Gear and Grub section.)

Books:

Patriotas (The Spanish translation of JWR’s novel Patriots.)

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The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in Healthy Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain

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The Complete Visual Guide to Building a House

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Light Infantry Tactics: For Small Teams

 

Movies:

Breach. Here is a description: “Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. intelligence history, this gripping thriller stars Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney and Dennis Haysbert.”  Available on DVD or via free streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

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Snowden. Available on DVD or via free streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

 

Continue reading“JWR’s Recommendations of the Week”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

3

“Conservatives and liberals are kindred spirits as far as government spending is concerned. First, let’s make sure we understand what government spending is. Since government has no resources of its own, and since there’s no Tooth Fairy handing Congress the funds for the programs it enacts, we are forced to recognize that government spending is no less than the confiscation of one person’s property to give it to another to whom it does not belong – in effect, legalized theft. ” – Walter E. Williams

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday – July 17, 2018

1

July 17th, 1889 was the birthdate of Erle Stanley Gardner. He was an American lawyer and author. Though best known for the Perry Mason series of detective stories, he wrote numerous other novels and shorter pieces, as well as a series of nonfiction books, mostly narrations of his travels through Baja California and other regions in Mexico.

The best-selling American author of the 20th century at the time of his death, Gardner also published under numerous pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray and Robert Parr.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 77 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The nearly $11,000 worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A $3000 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. Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value), and
  8. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.

Second Prize:

  1. A Model 175 Series Solar Generator provided by Quantum Harvest LLC (a $439 value),
  2. 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,
  3. A gift certificate for any two or three-day class from Max Velocity Tactical (a $600 value),
  4. A transferable certificate for a two-day Ultimate Bug Out Course from Florida Firearms Training (a $400 value),
  5. A Three-Day Deluxe Emergency Kit from Emergency Essentials (a $190 value),
  6. A $200 gift certificate good towards any books published by PrepperPress.com,
  7. RepackBox is providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances, and
  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).

Round 77 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.

What is Survival?- Part 1, by MuddyKid

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We are all interested in survival, and we read this site often to understand ways to survive. But, have we ever stopped to ask the question, what is survival?

A Complex Question

I think that is a complex question, because survival means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Survival always has different contexts or scenarios. For the purpose of this article, I want to challenge what the idea of survival is. I plan to do this through experiences and examples that I have personally participated in.

Legibility

I am beginning this with a framework of legibility. When I reference legibility, I am referring to the book Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition have Failed by James Scott. If you are interested in further understanding legibility, go check out that book. This book is not, nor should it be, considered the secret text that holds the answers. Rather, it is one of many concepts that may help in seeing a different perspective of the world. A gross and simple example of what legibility is, it is the way in which governments and state organizations define, support, and influence the way people organize and live. Legibility primarily focuses on how the job of state governance has a tendency to reduce and simplify processes so that their job of governing becomes easier and more organized.

Continue reading“What is Survival?- Part 1, by MuddyKid”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

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Here is SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt. This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. We also mention companies of interest to preppers that are located in the region. The emphasis this week is on the impact of wolves in The American Redoubt. There are wolf article links in all sections.

Region-Wide

Radio Free Redoubt: 2018-07-07 Steve McLaughlin and Apex Wolf Issue

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From the gauche perspective of Northwest Public Broadcasting: Today’s Northwest Wolves Have Roots In Coastal Rainforests And Rocky Mountains

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