"After Armageddon" on the History Channel

[KC2UGV]

It is just a mental exercise. It also is an interesting study of Human Behavior. This show was put together by experts that studied peoples actions during natural disasters, wars and disease outbreaks. Then they made a prediction about what would happen in a world wide disease outbreak or pandemic. When it gets down to survival, it seems most people lose all signs of "civilized" behavior.

Possibly, at first. However, humans, being the social animals we are, tend to cluster into organized societies.

[KK4AMI]

Possibly, at first. However, humans, being the social animals we are, tend to cluster into organized societies.

Very true, however, the TV show pointed out that it would start as small villages for protection, farming, etc. They would only allow people in that were useful.

[W3WN]

Very true, however, the TV show pointed out that it would start as small villages for protection, farming, etc. They would only allow people in that were useful.

Ever read Lucifer's Hammer?

[KK4AMI]

Ever read Lucifer's Hammer?

That is kind of the classic "Disaster" book. Comet destroys earth and man finishes it off. Great reference even for the Dooms Day guys.

[N2NH]

That is kind of the classic "Disaster" book. Comet destroys earth and man finishes it off. Great reference even for the Dooms Day guys.

Excellent book and probably close to the truth. It will quickly disperse any ideas that when the s#!t hits the fan we will have any degree of control. Costners movie The Postman was about one character from that book.

Read the entire link Cor. The one thing not covered much is that the most pessimistic of predictions are turning out to be extremely optimistic. I feel that it is the reason the rich are going for the gold. Literally.

Not that it will make much difference in a new world where the only constant is chaos.

[KC2UGV]

Excellent book and probably close to the truth. It will quickly disperse any ideas that when the s#!t hits the fan we will have any degree of control. Costners movie The Postman was about one character from that book.

Read the entire link Cor. The one thing not covered much is that the most pessimistic of predictions are turning out to be extremely optimistic. I feel that it is the reason the rich are going for the gold. Literally.

Not that it will make much difference in a new world where the only constant is chaos.

Except, even gold will be worthless. The only thing that would be of any worth for the 50 years following any sort of catastrophe would be: Food, water, fuel, and weaponry.

Food and Water: Gotta have them to live, food being hard to come by after about 6 months or so. Water, a bit easier, but only if you don't care about safety of your water.

Fuel: People will keep running those internal combustion engines. Basic fact of life, is we need them.

Weaponry: Guns will be valuable for the first year maybe. Then, after all the loonies have spent all the ammunition, carrying an 8 pound rifle you're scared to use so you don't run out of ammo becomes pointless. Back to those who know how to make arrows, bows, and can work metal.

[KK4AMI]

Except, even gold will be worthless. The only thing that would be of any worth for the 50 years following any sort of catastrophe would be: Food, water, fuel, and weaponry.

Food and Water: Gotta have them to live, food being hard to come by after about 6 months or so. Water, a bit easier, but only if you don't care about safety of your water.

Fuel: People will keep running those internal combustion engines. Basic fact of life, is we need them.

Weaponry: Guns will be valuable for the first year maybe. Then, after all the loonies have spent all the ammunition, carrying an 8 pound rifle you're scared to use so you don't run out of ammo becomes pointless. Back to those who know how to make arrows, bows, and can work metal.

I'm reloading 308 Win from a 25 year old 8 lb can of powder, so guns should be around for a while. But, I am worried about the food issue. If you look at a 50 year period after a calamity, 150 million scavenging survivors plus newborns will decimate the manufactured stocks and wild game and fish population in about 10 years. Then it will be down to vegetarians and (horror) cannibalism.

[N2NH]

Except, even gold will be worthless. The only thing that would be of any worth for the 50 years following any sort of catastrophe would be: Food, water, fuel, and weaponry.

Food and Water: Gotta have them to live, food being hard to come by after about 6 months or so. Water, a bit easier, but only if you don't care about safety of your water.

Fuel: People will keep running those internal combustion engines. Basic fact of life, is we need them.

Weaponry: Guns will be valuable for the first year maybe. Then, after all the loonies have spent all the ammunition, carrying an 8 pound rifle you're scared to use so you don't run out of ammo becomes pointless. Back to those who know how to make arrows, bows, and can work metal.

I definitely agree gold will be worthless, so will anything that doesn't satify basic needs like food, water, shelter and clothing. I can see that trading posts where fur can be traded for food or ammunition might come back. Maybe forts and castles. If the damage is confined, say to the coasts, continents will be cut off from each other. Messengers will be necessary for communications locally. I doubt if a society like this could support more than 300 million people world-wide for the long term. That would mean a 95% reduction in population. Medicine will be the big problem. Got hypertension or diabetes? Big problem. Enough to wipe that smile off of Smilin' Bobs face...