In our modern world, we’ve become sooooooo reliant on technology for almost every aspect of our lives. From smartphones and computers to electricity and running water, it’s hard to imagine life without these conveniences. Life is indeed great and wonderful with all these things. However, what if one day, all technology suddenly ceased to function? A far-fetched scenario, perhaps, but one that could potentially become a reality in the face of a major disaster or global catastrophe. We are just one solar flare or EMP detonation away from the events that transpire in my (Chris Gardner’s) book, The Other Side of the Sun one of the Best Survival Stories.
In such a situation, the skills and knowledge that our ancestors possessed would become invaluable assets for survival. Skills that have been largely forgotten or overshadowed by our reliance on technology would suddenly become essential for ensuring our basic needs are met. Think about yourself – how long would you last if everything you’ve come to depend on was stripped away in an instant? Can you build a fire? Could you repair your house yourself? Know how to purify water? Hmmmm, makes you think.
So, what are these essential skills that we should strive to reacquire or, at the very least, have a fundamental understanding of? Here are some key areas to focus on:
- Primitive Living Skills
- Shelter-building: The ability to construct sturdy and weatherproof shelters using natural materials found in your environment, such as branches, leaves, and mud.
- Fire-making: Mastering the art of creating fire from scratch, using techniques like friction-based methods (bow drill, hand drill) or striking sparks from flint and steel.
- Water purification: Learning how to make contaminated water safe for drinking through boiling, filtration, or using natural purifiers like charcoal.
- Foraging: Identifying edible plants, roots, berries, and mushrooms in your local area, and understanding safe foraging practices.
- Homesteading and Self-Sufficiency
- Gardening: Developing skills in cultivating a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and grains to ensure a steady food supply.
- Animal husbandry: Raising and caring for livestock (chickens, goats, cattle) for meat, dairy, and other byproducts.
- Food preservation: Mastering techniques like canning, drying, smoking, and fermenting to extend the shelf life of foods.
- Sustainable living practices: Understanding principles of permaculture, rainwater harvesting, and waste management for a self-sufficient lifestyle.
- Crafting and Repair
- Woodworking: Learning how to work with wood, from felling trees to shaping and joining lumber for constructing furniture, tools, and structures.
- Metalworking: Developing skills in forging, casting, and shaping metals for creating tools, utensils, and other essential items.
- Sewing and textile crafts: Mastering the art of sewing, weaving, knitting, and crocheting to create clothing, bedding, and other textiles.
- Repair and maintenance: Acquiring knowledge on repairing and maintaining tools, equipment, and machinery without relying on modern technology.
- Traditional Healing and Herbalism
- Medicinal plants: Identifying and utilizing plants with medicinal properties for treating various ailments and injuries.
- Natural remedies: Understanding traditional remedies and practices for common health issues, such as using herbs, essential oils, and natural supplements.
- Note of caution, be super sure about plants before you go ingesting them for anything.
- Primitive Navigation and Tracking
- Reading signs in nature: Learning to interpret natural signs like clouds, wind patterns, and animal behavior to navigate and predict weather changes.
- Using the stars for navigation: Mastering celestial navigation techniques, including identifying constellations and using them as guides.
- Tracking wildlife: Developing skills in reading animal tracks, interpreting scat, and following trails to locate and track game.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it provides a solid foundation for the essential skills one should strive to acquire or, at the very least, understand in preparation for a world without technology. In the face of such a scenario, these skills would not only ensure our survival but also foster a deeper connection with nature and a newfound appreciation for the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancestors.
It’s important to note that acquiring these skills takes time, dedication, and practice. You don’t go outside one day and become a master fire-maker! However, even a basic understanding of these areas could prove invaluable in a technology-free world. In subsequent posts, we’ll delve deeper into each of these skills, providing practical tips and guidance on how to develop and master them.
For now, it’s crucial to recognize the potential need for these lost arts of survival and to start cultivating an appreciation and respect for the knowledge and wisdom of those who came before us. After all, in a world without technology, the true survivors will be those who can embrace and adapt to a simpler, more self-reliant way of life. Have some books with Best Survival Stories on hand that could show you some of these skills in case you would need them. In the coming weeks, we’ll be posting step-by-step instructions to better prepare you for these things. Print some of them off and store them. Why not have a physical file you could pull from if needed? A little forethought now could be huge for your safety down the road.
On a personal note, my (Chris Gardner’s) new book has been published! Right now, you can find it on Amazon, with more locations coming soon. Search for the book title and one of the Best Survival Stories, The Other Side of the Sun by Christopher Gardner, and it will pop right up. Obviously, I think it’s pretty good, but pick it up and see what you think.