That's one thing I wondered about particularly in the movie, and I know I'm looking too much into this as Rand herself knew that Galt's Gulch would be a fantasy. But how could they form a completely self-reliant society. Someone needs hospitalization, or in the early days they don't have any plumbers or electricians among them.

I like the programmer part. I can be the Gulch's IT Director.

Read "Earth Abides" by George R. Stewart, written 1949. Prophetic work.

Let's see, I worked in marine hydraulics a while back; water filtration based on my knowledge of hydraulics. Learning to make carbon-based batteries, just got my order in of a 500ml container of Working Ink from FWG England. I can sew by hand or by machine. My wife bought me a new Brothers 37 stitch machine for my birthday. I'm also a practitioner of an internal Chinese Martial Art of Empty Force.

All great observations, blarman. (I have come to expect such posts from you. Thanks!)

Sounds like fun. Though not a certified architect, I've designed homes and studied commercial architecture for my own gratification. Also been so fed up with the morons in city planning where I live for badly timed construction projects and wastefulness that I have to think there's a better way. (Who plans two simultaneous projects on parallel feeder roads at the same time?) Gotta say that one of the best games of all time IMHO was SimCity. I spent many an hour as a youngster playing that game...

I would be happy to send you a copy of my project development plans for Tikina-i-ra. Maybe you can tell me which bases I missed.

Big Brekkie is so satisfying!

As I tell my wife, "I am a cook, not a chef. I make food, not cuisine." Breakfast is my specialty. Worked as a cook for Sambo's many years ago, cooking from 2200-0600. You want a good hearty breakfast, I'm your guy.

I was watching Amazing Polly and happened upon Billy and Family....about an hour....saw a post below on an episode....Dobrien! LOL!

Uh oh! I'm supposed to be working on something right now, but went down the rabbit hole of videos you just linked. Next thing I knew almost an hour went by and I learned a lot, but got nothing done, LOL!

This is an interesting discussion. Unfortunately there is no Gulch for us all to flee too, so it may end up being small enclaves of the like minded, or survivors, depending on the situation. It may also depend on if the infrastructure remains intact, and can possibly be tapped into, or if it fails. Some items we take for granted are perishable, such as fuel. It's only stable for so long. A working knowledge of basic, even primitive skills would be a good thing, especially books that contain that knowledge. How do you dehydrate food without that fancy electric thing like I have. I've done it the hard way, and it's called that for a reason. This Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

It's good to think on these things and think on what if situations. I'm currently reading Book 2 of Seasons of Man by S.M. Anderson (a retired spook). In the book a virus, instead of killing less than 1% of those infected, and taken out 97% of the world population. I recommend it for thought.

I'm sure that you will do well.

My apples are planted next to Junipers and got the blight...still got 40 qts. Pears were seriously pruned last year and delivered 15 qts despite. One experimental batch of apple/currant jelly this week.
Squash is next and done for the year....except for hog butcher in Dec.

I'm best at making special tools across a broad spectrum of materials and industries...full machine shop at house now.

I need to make my own.
Apples and pears both produced this year.

I make things and repair/reupholster furniture though.

Three qualities are required.
1. The ability to direct other people.
2. the ability to be directed by others, and
3. The ability to do both 1 and 2 above without whining .

Hi Teri, have anything to trade for apple or pear sauce? ....in keeping with the post...

If it can be manufactured it can be sabotaged. Just like any computer hacking...a game for many.
I got "busted" for smuggling once.

That IS Funny! the missing scene from Jaws, the one they cut for the ending...LMAO

This is a great series too.
I have pure, apple and pear sauce to trade! No preservative, no additive, non-pasteurized...YUM!?
You and i should talk amps at some time as well.

May I offer gardening, canning, dehydrating. Also cooking, baking, working with livestock of various sizes (can't ride a bronc or do expert vet work except for lots of hands on experience with human and critter first aid ). My paintings sell and I can teach others how to do a number of things, though I am not a degreed teacher. I keep thinking of North Dakota...

As much general knowledge as you have an interest in whether it's making or fixing or hunting, etc.

You must pursue your passions and then perfect them ...
...and then be able to abstact and extrapolate.

Yeah...I'm an engineer with decent site development experience so that would help. I also have extensive hvac and plumbing (building design) experience. I think those things would help a little. Would love to help design the infrastructure of the Gulch - and, I've actually got pretty good ideas on that, in terms of bolstering it against needing anything from the outside world....

I appreciate the video suggestion, I've already watched some, Billy is very entertaining to watch and learn from. I've started to take notes in the hopes I will one day use his tips and tricks. Again thank you.

Sorry to have omitted,
Chef, Cook, Baker.
Farmer, Rancher, Hunter.
Adjudicator, arbitrator.