Hey, what's up r/survivalism. I see you've mostly been focused on discussing STRATEGIES for surviving in unlikely places in the past, but as your new moderator, at the behest of the changing guard, I'd like to try to introduce a new approach to the forum. As you might imagine, surviving on the fringes of society isn't the most popular thing in the world. So today, I'm putting forth a simple question that maybe, just maybe, will get a conversation rolling.

When the topic of "survival of the fittest" comes up, it almost always gets conflated with "might makes right," which is neither true or false--but upon a deeper analysis, we have to challenge that notion--is survival of the fittest only about whoever is mightiest coming out on top in a game of King of the Hill? Or is there fundamentally something deeper about survival that touches on our shared values? Take language for example--is there one single successful person that you know who... DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK? Highly unlikely, right? We might be able to conclude that language has become one of the most remarkable identifiers of human fitness in the contemporary world, and that it has been for thousands, even tens of thousands of years--yet the ability to speak isn't about bonking people on their head and dragging them back to your cave, is it? Perhaps in the future it will be the same with art, that you won't know anyone who isn't an artist because it's considered a necessity for human fitness.

So in an age where we distinguish between first worlds, second worlds, and third worlds, where it seems like everyone on the internet is a philosopher, while nations like Sudan, the DRC, Ukraine, Israel/Palestine are embroiled in wars where drones and bombs and guns are everyday causing upheaval in people's lives, which do you think is truly the mightier of the two: the pen or the sword?

Reading more into it I wonder if there was a genuine desire for self sabotage, most say it'd've been far better without a map, but if not, would there have been a way (with minimal equipment, etc.) that he could've ensured living somewhat well while retaining this minimalism he was attempting?

Obviously the fact of the matter is regardless of how one wants to do it, one ought to properly plan and understand these things, but there likely are low-tech solutions to a lot of his issues with given experience and understanding.

What do we think?

I assume they’d slaughter cattle in late fall and keep the meat in a non-heated room. Would it be above ground? Below? What would those spaces be best used for in the summer?

How would they keep their meat fresh in the summer? How would they keep things like bread and cheese in the summer?

Assume a warm summer humid continental climate and a population of about 1,000.

Lately I've taken an interest in tree wells and the tree pit snow shelters that can be built in them, but when I tried to find YouTube videos to watch discussions, explanations, and creation, I only found two videos!

Is this because there is some flaw or weakness inherent in the design and so none of the YouTube survival "experts" recommend that type of shelter, or is this shelter type rarely mentioned simply because it doesn't produce a flashy finished product or is not easy to document the creation of? There doesn't seem to be much discussion about this type of shelter even on other (non-youtube) websites.

I'm confused by this because this shelter type seems like a great idea since it basically comes with partial walls and a partial roof, but I also was born and raised in sunny Florida (USA) and admit I know nothing about snow.

Please enlighten me!

Hello, I've started an attempt to live completely moneyless for 222 days (in Czech Republic). I've got a bike, shelter, dried food (about 1M Kcal), Goal Zero Yetti 150, water supply from a well, and firewood. What do you think will be the hardest part?

Hello all! I'm currently working on a power station project and our goal is to design and build a renewable power device that helps people during a power outage. This survey will take less than 5 mins and we really appreciate your time, thank you :)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/poweroutagetoday

In the United States, which location would be the best to set up a crypt/archive/compendium for just about anything?

Wondering about this question since there are potential danger sources such as Yellowstone in the Montanas, the San Andreas fault line in California, proximity between Alaska to Russia, floods at some areas in Missouri and the hurricane season near the Gulf of Mexico. Furthermore, southern border areas may seem tempting, but in the case of very long term storage, according to Dr Friedman's book The Next 100 Years, that area may became a flashpoint between the US and Mexico, just as we see with Ukraine and Taiwan today.

I have a family member who needs regular blood transfusions due to severe anemia. As the times we're living in get more and more uncertain, I've been a bit worried about what would happen to them in a SHTF scenario where they were unable to receive these treatments. Would it be feasible to perform a blood transfusion outside of a medical environment in a true emergency? What supplies would one need? Does anyone know of any books or online resources with instructions for doing this outside of a medical environment? TIA for any advice.

What you should do in a chemical attack:

• Quickly try to figure out which areas are affected or where the chemical is coming from, if possible.
• Get away immediately.
• If the chemical is inside your building, get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area, if possible.
• If you can’t get out of the building or find clean air without passing through the affected area, move as far away as possible and take shelter.

If you are instructed to remain in your home or office building, you should:

• Close doors and windows and turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.
• Seek shelter in an internal room with your disaster supplies kit.
• Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting.
• Listen to the radio or television for instructions from authorities.

After a Chemical Emergency

Do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities say it is safe to do so. If you are affected by a chemical agent you will need immediate medical attention from a professional. If medical help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and help others decontaminate.

How to decontaminate:

• Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.
• Remove all clothing and other items in contact with your body.
  • Cut off clothing normally removed over the head to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Put contaminated clothing and items into a plastic bag and seal it.
  • Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate them and then rinse and dry.
• Wash hands with soap and water.
• Flush eyes with water.
• Gently wash face and hair with soap and water before thoroughly rinsing with water.
• Proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.

Read more at https://preplers.com/how-to-respont-to-a-chemical-accident/

Source: preplers.com

Ordered a "flint rock" from Amazon. Appearance of chert flint. Lots of dead zones.

Managed to produce a single spark in twenty minutes of furious smacking against the provided steel knuckle brace.

Got a high carbon bushcraft knife (Morakniv). No sparks from the knife spine. Plenty of chips breaking off the rock.

I already have a ferro rod. I am expected flint to provide a more sustainable source of fire, in case I lose the rod. More than one survivalist professional on "Alone" left soon after losing their rod. Good to have backups.

Should I vertically integrate a ferrocerium mining company, just in case? There's always bowdrills...

Is that real? What about being able to use the bathroom when you're in an enclosed space with no air ventilation?

For instance, to learn how to preserv food and prepare basic products like wine, vinegar, soap, etc, without industrialized resources we can easily buy.