Back to the land.

I read someone else's thoughts about life post-collapse, and it had much less to agree with.

The writer's premise was that, PSHTF, we would have to not have pets (due to the amount of food required), and we would have to give up meat (due to feeding and transport energy requirements). Both thoughts seem to be wrong, primarily in that long-term hope would suggest that we turn to a more agricultural lifestyle - even if cities continue to have a large population. We would, by necessity, go back to many pre-industrial methods, assuming we can revive technologies and techniques long abandoned.

Cities may exist, but likely denser in the central areas, and with lower overall populations, quickly changing to agricultural rather than suburban.

A good couple of dogs will do more to protect and feed you than a limited supply of ammunition. Cats can and will hunt vermin - even small game... it's just getting them to bring it back to you. Horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, cows, chickens all are obviously good to have - while they're not pets, the writer of that particular piece seemed to regard any animal to not be worth the effort. I don't think that the writer has tried to plow a large area of ground without using a draught animal. Nor has considered that if things have to be transported distances, using a pack animal is better than not.

The author also did not consider that there are logistic reasons to having livestock. If you are living in the countryside, and producing food for a city, it's difficult to round up a couple of acres of soya beans and drive them into town.

Comments and opinions...

When choosing between learning new things, and just writing your current opinion - learn.

So, I've been learning, and reading. Learning new things, like basic veterinary medicine; reading things like other peoples' ideas regarding society collapse.

Of the first, about equines - horses and donkeys. I'm fortunate enough to live in an area with enough space that people do keep them. I, however, do not. Yet. Never hurts, though, to learn what you can, while you can. In fact, it makes more sense to learn it while you can, rather than when you need it.

I have always embraced the chance to learn new things, and I have finally understood something fundamental. Firstly, keeping up with learning gets you into good habits. Secondly, it gets to be second nature - read, observe, imitate, ask questions. Thirdly, you start to see a world more interconnected and colourful than you otherwise would.

Skills do need to be practised.

Turn off your television. Go dig in the garden.
Pick up a book, and learn to enjoy reading and learning. Encourage your children to do the same.
Stop watching football. Go out and play it.
Instead of fearing the end of civilisation, go out and learn - and practise - those skills you will need.
Create friendships with people who could make life, PSHTF, that bit less of a strain.

Case in point: I have at least one friend who is a decent archer, and who knows how to dress game - one less risk to long-term survival.
I have other friends who I can trust - I'd be handing one of them an axe, making sure that they have some idea about conservation and forestry, and then sending them out into the nearby forest. I would be getting the neighbours onside with that one, though - remember the question "What did the Easter Islanders say when they chopped down the last tree."

I had, long ago, started writing a book on long-term prepping. A few weeks ago, I found a very interesting book, Beyond Collapse, available for download. Some very interesting ideas, a few things I might quibble about, but much worth reading. One of my quibbles has to do with giving up coffee, post-apocalypse. No, no - no way. Not, at least, while I can grow my own.