My Observations of Peak Oil people ::)

[SEFlaRepairman]

Hello all,

I would like to add a classification: Dmitry Orlof disciple.  I am a repairman in an urban area, with a gov't job that will be one of the last to go.  When I am finally unemployed, I will repair bicycles (yes, I maintain my own), do a little gunsmithing (yes, I do that as a hobbyist already), repair urban homesteaders' solar water heaters (yes, I've stockpiled propane).  Of course I've also cached food, ammo, junk silver, and things that Dmitry suggested to trade for food and whatever.

I grew up in the country.  My mother was a big-time organic gardener in the 1960's, we raised chickens, had fruit trees, etc;  I have some rural skills.  But I feel like Leaf - I've gotten kinda spoiled.  I'm too old and lazy (although I'm still slim and fit) to be a farmer.  My totem animal is rat - an urban animal.  I like to think I have good urban survival skills; and expect to float like a cork on a sea of shit.  Maybe I'm deluding myself, but no one knows for shure how this is gonna shake out, so I think my approach is as valid as any.

Finally, I'm not too attached to outcome.  If I'm wrong, well, someone has to dieoff, right?  While Mayan prophecy makes 2012 the end of the era, 2030 calls for the end of civilization: "even wiise men and prophets are lost".  To me, this means that even some people who know what is coming will be lost.

Don't forget to enjoy the last of the Cheap Oil Fiesta; this is the pinnacle of human material abundance!

[dreamer]

Nice thread to read through.

I'm just gathering info at this point.
 I've always wanted a small (2- 5 acres) farm for a long time anyway. Even before I knew about PO. I watch the ads for places and hope to buy one within 2 years.  However, should I not be able to, I'll do what I can in the home I am in. It's just 1/2 acre but could make it work for awhile. I like the area I am in and will stay here.
I know a little about gardening, I know how to can foods, learned as a little girl. I haven't done it in years but will brush up on it.
I have no debt other than mortage payments and plan to keep it that way.
I'm a nurse and think my profession will be ok.
I've always been level headed. I don't panic easy. I tend to look at a situation, size it up and then do what needs to be done.

[yoyos]

Hi.  I just read the thread and I couldn't help myself from thinking that peeps in the government are well aware and already have plans for PPO.

I was wondering what you guys/gals thought about what the point of being classified in any of these categories is when governments will unleash their unknown (at least to me) mitigation plan upon their populations?

I'm really curious to read the responses to the question because that's what I'm worried about the most.  How do I prepare for that?  Screw PO, what about the peeps that are supposed to control their populations?  What are “THEY” going to do?  How does being a “Middle Agrarian” going to help when the military comes to town…or what about an “Urban Homesteader” or even better, imagine the outcome…military vs. “Ammo Stockpiler”.  Haha!  Won’t people need local protection just like in any other “Dark Age”?  Actually, that “Feudal Lord/baron” category sounded like the most likely one to be the outcome.  Along with “little slave bitches” and “little slave bitches, but don’t treat you like one, so that feudal lords/barons have someone to play with still”.  Do those categories make sense?

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DISCLAIMER:  The following is a personal digression.  Please skip if you don't like that sort of thing.
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Perhaps I am in the "Despairing" category, but I'd probably "peg" myself in the "Clueless Masses" category, even though I am aware of PO.  The one thing that I can be 99% certain on, however, is that I really don't know shit.  I'm 25 years old and I don't know shit about shit!  Haha.  How about that one folks?  Hahahaha.  I feel awesome!  hahaha.  I have no shame in saying so either...it's the truth!  I despise lying.  Speaking the truth about how I feel makes that little kid in me explode in excitement for some reason.  I apologize to those who do not appreciate my outspokenness.

[LouisianaMan]

Jennifer, the losers seem to fall mostly into the AMMO STOCKPILERS.  Mostly AMMO STOCKPILERS I guess; of the people preparing for anything it seems to be the one requiring the least intelligence and skill and the one least likely to succeed, except for maybe the WILDERNESS SURVIVORS, and I kinda glossed over that category since there are so many levels of skill involved.  AMMO STOCKPILERS don't have anything to contribute until (and if) they move on to a more well-rounded development.

  O.K. Speaking as an ammo stockpiler who's been seriously negatively stereotyped I will have to defend myself accordingly. I'm currently a lawyer, but have been a former electronics technician with an F.C.C. radiotelephone license, an electrician,understand power generation and distribution, small engine repair-diesel,gas,propane, etc., a welder, a tree, horse, and cattle farmer, a diesel repair mechanic,hydraulic systems repairman, A.C. and heating repairman, know everything I need to know about farm implements, tilling, working the soil, light gardening, etc., am currently in the process of getting knowledgeable about fruit trees and plants,etc., have invested heavily in arable land in a fairly good location where any grown products could be easily transported to close markets, and have about half a dozen other marketable skills I won't even go into here for fear of tooting my own horn too loudly. Now keep in mind I really didn't do all these things to prepare for peak oil because I didn't even know about it until a few years ago. The one and only thing I've really done strictly in prepartion for peak oil is STOCKPILE AMMO!!! So what category does that put me in? 

[JurisDoctorOfDoom]

Jennifer, the losers seem to fall mostly into the AMMO STOCKPILERS.  Mostly AMMO STOCKPILERS I guess; of the people preparing for anything it seems to be the one requiring the least intelligence and skill and the one least likely to succeed, except for maybe the WILDERNESS SURVIVORS, and I kinda glossed over that category since there are so many levels of skill involved.  AMMO STOCKPILERS don't have anything to contribute until (and if) they move on to a more well-rounded development.

  O.K. Speaking as an ammo stockpiler who's been seriously negatively stereotyped I will have to defend myself accordingly. I'm currently a lawyer, but have been a former electronics technician with an F.C.C. radiotelephone license, an electrician,understand power generation and distribution, small engine repair-diesel,gas,propane, etc., a welder, a tree, horse, and cattle farmer, a diesel repair mechanic,hydraulic systems repairman, A.C. and heating repairman, know everything I need to know about farm implements, tilling, working the soil, light gardening, etc., am currently in the process of getting knowledgeable about fruit trees and plants,etc., have invested heavily in arable land in a fairly good location where any grown products could be easily transported to close markets, and have about half a dozen other marketable skills I won't even go into here for fear of tooting my own horn too loudly. Now keep in mind I really didn't do all these things to prepare for peak oil because I didn't even know about it until a few years ago. The one and only thing I've really done strictly in prepartion for peak oil is STOCKPILE AMMO!!! So what category does that put me in? 

LM,

No need to defend yourself. Our three mods are all ammo-hoarders as are a number of members. I think Michelle and Old Horseman have their own armories in fact.

I'm not an ammo-hoarder but I do understand the need for it and really should start. A lifetime of white liberal socializing has made me reluctant to get around to it . . .

[Michelle]

That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.