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A Gulch and The Walking Dead

Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 10 years ago to Philosophy
142 comments | Share | Best of... | Flag

I had an excellent lunch last Saturday with an Objectivist, and one of the things we talked about was skills we have to offer to a Gulch. In that vain, I have developed a scenario to hopefully stimulate thought and discussion on this topic.

It's my post, so my rules. Here is the scenario:

It is a post apocalyptic world, either natural or man-made that resembles the 1815's in technology. There will be walking dead. They may not be zombies, but they are out to kill you and take your resources. There is no power sources anywhere in the world other than solar, wind and horse power.

A few fellow Objectivists and I have found and established an invitation only Gulch with all the natural resources we can use. We will send a few people out to recruit new residents, much like Francisco and John were doing.

There are 2 inviolate requirements and rules for Gulchers and prospective invitee Gulchers:

1: All people 16 years and older MUST be willing to truly and honestly, of their own free will, take The Oath. This may require a potential invitee to make a hard choice as there will be no exceptions.
2: The existence and the location of this Gulch MUST be kept secret and it will be defended.

What skills and/or resources can you bring to this Gulch? Why would we recruit you?


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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I am happy that RMP found a context in which to wring the shyness out of you, Zenphamy. Your resume is interesting reading.

    Jan
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  • Posted by term2 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    yes and no. yes -the government wouldnt have as much money, power, and influence, but on the other hand they would be much more ruthless and would tend to be in defensive mode and probably put their limited resources into things like the NSA. Maybe its true the walkers would be the greatest danger as they would be kind of everywhere. Maybe the writers of walking dead tv series were smarter than we give them credit for...
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    There are bound to be some children in the families of the younger Gulch members, and they should be welcomed. I dislike rugrats myself - keep them away from me; LetsShrug and Mammaemma are welcome to them.

    Puppies, though...

    Jan, wilts over puppies
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I used to have a belt driven dental drill (beautiful piece of workmanship) that was used for lapidary detailing. So I suspect they still exist, perhaps in antique shops. You should pick up a few decorative old pieces, Mamaemma, and - come the apocalypse - they will cease being merely 'decorative'.

    Jan
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Ah yes, but the premise is 'post apocalyptic', so we do not have to worry about NSA flyovers...just walking dead. And we can sic the allosaurus on them.

    Jan
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    A goddamnwestpointer*? Not likely - You would repopulate the world with Tank Commanders!

    Jan
    *(I was in high school before I figured out that that was not actually a single word.)
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    That sounds like a complete Renaissance Gulcher, gcarl! Welcome. You sound like an asset.

    I used to do blacksmithery - set up basic forges in a couple of places (not difficult to do). I had to quit as it was too hard on my hands, but I would be glad to work with you to build a forge (and maybe dink around a bit). The most important item to have in a primitive forge is a source of 'wind': bellows or hand-crank air supply (because blow dryers are not likely to work too well without the electricity).

    Jan, loves dogs too
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  • Posted by gcarl615 10 years ago
    This is my first post so please bear with me if I screw it up.

    I am over 65 and not as spry as I used to be but here goes with a skills list.

    I built my own home which included carpentry, mason, plumber, electrician, designer, draftsman.
    I have extensive project planning and management experience. I am a certified forms and process/procedure analyst and documenter.
    I am skilled with firearms and reloading as well as having all the manual equipment and supplies. I know how to and have made Black Powder. I know how to cast bullets and shot. I am a pretty good shot and know how to process meat. I am an expert canner and a very good gardener.

    I have a vast array of hand tools for many different things, like auto repair, wood and metal working. I never learned how to weld though it is on my bucket list.

    I am an experienced woodsman. I cut, split and stacked over 100 face cords one fall.

    I have a pretty good library and have studied the founders and resultant documents extensively.

    I can Program in several languages, and know how to repair older computer,so if one of you really smart folks can produce electricity then perhaps we can get some computing power going.

    I am a notary public, don't know if that is valuable or not.

    I have blacksmith tools and am currently learning how to use them.

    I am an Eagle Scout and have a lot of First Aid knowledge and supplies/

    Oh and I love dogs....
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  • Posted by xthinker88 10 years ago
    I'm an environmental engineer by degree and licensing. Clean water, sanitation, storm water management, etc.

    My hobby is also primitive and wilderness survival skills. Shelter, fire making, some tool making (the rudiments for example of forging metal), some herbs and edible plants, etc.

    Former infantry officer and West Point grad - military tactics, fortifications, training, etc.

    And I'm just handsome as hell so I'll definitely be needed to repopulate the world. :)

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  • Posted by term2 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    eventually, yes, but not in the short term. you have to feed young ones and they produce little and take attention
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  • Posted by Mamaemma 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I will bring it all. We can actually go back to belt driven drills. I'm all about saving teeth, not pulling them!
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  • Posted by term2 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    dental work I suspect would be pretty much limited to tooth pullings for awhile, unless you brought the filling material and the drills and polishing equipment- dont accidentally forget to bring it !!!
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  • Posted by freedomforall 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    We need a compounding specialist and someone with expertise in properties of herbs and wild plants, too. We may need to "domesticate/farm" some medicinal herbs.
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  • Posted by term2 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    As a practical matter, however, it would be kind of a lifeboat situation for all the residents, meaning you want emotionally and physically strong people from the start to maximize the chances of survival.
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  • Posted by term2 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    I really wonder though how hidden and safe it would really be. Currently governments seem to have so much capabilities and powers (NSA) that they would find it and take what you had if you rose above the radar. I loved the novel ALONGSIDE NIGHT which gets into the idea of hiding in plain sight as a more effective way of being ready to rebuild.
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  • Posted by Mamaemma 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    You are right, term2. And it's not just the pain. Many people used to die from dental infections. It still happens, though rarely. So Freedom's beer becomes doubly important!
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  • Posted by woodlema 10 years ago
    I offer an extreme and diverse skill set. Other than simple Project and Program Management, I am an above average welder, plumber, and carpenter. I have and know concrete building, weapons and am a fairly good shot, with no issue shooting someone fatally in defense of myself or my property. I learn fast, have several inventions and am probably one of the more creative thinkers since I do not recognize a "box" to think inside of.

    I own all my own tools, am a very solid auto and diesel mechanic, and I am also a Private Pilot with single, Multi and Instrument ratings.

    I have no fear of using a shovel, rake and loot to level ground in preparation for building, and have also spent time operating heavy equipment, like CAT 963 track loaders, D9 Bulldozers, Backhoes and Forklifts. I also have spent a couple years as a Real Estate Agent and an Over the Road Truck driver hauling everything from "fingerprint loads" to 127' beams for bridges. I think I could easily fit into the Gulch and offer significant value.
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  • Posted by Mamaemma 10 years ago in reply to this comment.
    Good point, freedom. It was discovered in 1772 so I will assume that 1815 technology will be able to,produce it. Lord, I feel better!
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