What couldn't you live without?

[Nikola Tesla]

I have a .45 automatic, a good one, as well as five .45 long Colt revolvers, and about 30 other guns...and I already have stockpiled ammunition for every one of them, in excess. Come on, people! How do you expect to survive the Apocalypse if you're not willing to do a little basic preparation? By the way, Tesla, if the SHTF, you make your way up here, you seem like a good sort...none of that drivel about doing yourself in, eh? They may take us down, my friend, but it won't be without knowing that By God they've been in a fight!

Thank you for the kind offer and for explaining where all the ammo has been going.

Come to think of it, if the SHTF as you so gently and aptly put it, my knowledge of chemistry - which includes actually knowing how to make explosives out of common materials - could come in handy for a resistance.  That isn't how I envision using my scientific skills, but the fact remains, as a chemist you always have a job.  In peacetime, you make medicines and agricultural chemicals; in wartime, you make weapons.  Ditch any pretenses to a soul and you're on your way.

Ylva, I, too, must have my loved ones...the Lady Nancy and our dogs are not my possessions, however, but companions...our lives are intertwined.

In those sorts of circumstances a dog is definitely man's (and woman's) best friend.  I think I'd run out and get one myself if it looked like things were getting to that point.

I believe the "end" is going to come a lot more subtly than most think it will...not with a bang, or even with a whimper, but with a slow erosion of everything that makes life worth living. It's already happening.

~Thistlewaite

I agree most wholeheartedly.  Setting anything like politics aside, the "good life" is getting more and more expensive and harder and harder to reach; security even more so, especially with regard to financial resources; and the "breakdown of civility" so often noted is, I believe, due to the fact that a large percentage of the population is under extreme stress.  Stressed-out people are not only less civil themselves, they are less able to inculcate it in their children.  These things are true no matter which (largely fictitious) "wing" you come from, which generally boils down to whom to blame, and that's why I don't much like politics.  Yes I have my own theories, but here is expressly, even formally, not the place to discuss them.

In any event, we'll have to keep up hope it won't come down to anything like we've been discussing here.

[Ylva Gamall]

Ylva, I, too, must have my loved ones...the Lady Nancy and our dogs are not my possessions, however, but companions...our lives are intertwined.

In those sorts of circumstances a dog is definitely man's (and woman's) best friend.  I think I'd run out and get one myself if it looked like things were getting to that point.

I believe the "end" is going to come a lot more subtly than most think it will...not with a bang, or even with a whimper, but with a slow erosion of everything that makes life worth living. It's already happening.

~Thistlewaite

I agree most wholeheartedly.  Setting anything like politics aside, the "good life" is getting more and more expensive and harder and harder to reach; security even more so, especially with regard to financial resources; and the "breakdown of civility" so often noted is, I believe, due to the fact that a large percentage of the population is under extreme stress.  Stressed-out people are not only less civil themselves, they are less able to inculcate it in their children.  These things are true no matter which (largely fictitious) "wing" you come from, which generally boils down to whom to blame, and that's why I don't much like politics.  Yes I have my own theories, but here is expressly, even formally, not the place to discuss them.

In any event, we'll have to keep up hope it won't come down to anything like we've been discussing here.

Ah yes. Glad to know I am not the only one who needs this companionship, those that are such an intergal part of myself. I would fight to the end for my loved ones. At least I'd like to think I would.

I would have to also agree with Major Thistlewaite in that the world will end not with a whimper or a bang but just erode away. It's terrible to think such a thing would happen but it is like Sir Tesla has pointed out. The world is already just eroding away... Sorry if I am talking about something not related but in my eyes it is very much related.
Why fight for something or own something that in the end won't matter or just won't plan be there?

[Thorinis]

Leave me an Axe, my Wife, a towel, and a chunk of Flint. I can quite literally make everything else I need. (I spend a lot of time looking at survival sites, plus I spent years learning to do so while growing up in Alaska.)

[rentreality]

Let's see...
My wits, kept about me.
An athletic body that will allow me to push it to the limit.
My 12-gauge, with appropriate ammunition.

I believe the "end" is going to come a lot more subtly than most think it will...not with a bang, or even with a whimper, but with a slow erosion of everything that makes life worth living. It's already happening.

Atlas Shrugged?

[Thorinis]

It should be noted that should any form of apocalypse happen I for one am not going to be staying in any part of the lower 48 states save maybe Montana. I am headed north. I know enough places in Alaska I could live quiet well for a long time with out worrying about anything other then basic necessities. Not to mention if I need money I know a few locations where gold can still be mined with little effort.

[Pog]

It should be noted that should any form of apocalypse happen I for one am not going to be staying in any part of the lower 48 states save maybe Montana. I am headed north. I know enough places in Alaska I could live quiet well for a long time with out worrying about anything other then basic necessities. Not to mention if I need money I know a few locations where gold can still be mined with little effort.

As an avid Fallout fan, let me just say, stay away from DC, and be careful of the Chinese invasion of Alaska, try Central Canada, it's just been annexed by the USSA! (Not a typo)

[Maj. Clive Hathaway]

To lighten things up a bit, lets talk about creature comforts we could not live without...

A good bottle of Scotch... I like Laphroaig for its rich smokiness and peaty undertones.

Some russian caviar... the black kind.

Candied almonds... truly the nut of kings.

My Cordova leather boots... I've had them for 16 years and they fit like a glove but more comfortable.

My Pipe & Tobacco... I favor "Lurray Tavern", a local Virginia blend.

Some Kona coffee... real unadulterated Hawiian Kona, not Kona blends passed off as pure.

Some Lapsang Souchong black tea... the tea that smokes like a campfire. Possibly the best tea known to man. Mixes wonderfully with scotch.

A sufficient stockpile of these items would allow me not only to survive, but to LIVE. I mean, technically, i could live without them, but honestly, what would be the point?

[19th Century Space Pilot]

In the aformentioned 'dictator' scenario... I presume food, water, and shelter is already a given, if you're willing to live under the Dear Leaders thumb?

In that case - typewriter, definately, and everything I need to go with it, probably an electric one then. This allows me top write out important resistence documents without risking having them hacked into. Secret passages and hidey-holes in the house are a must, to be used by the underground railroad. Weaponry is most certainly required. Explosives can probably be improvised.

Things that I would find it difficult to live without but aren't possesions - my family, friends, and pets. If the regime takes my family or friends prisoner, then I'm going on a suicide mission. Ya know, the general stuff: shoot the guards, steal their uniform, sneak my way into the concentration camp, find the prisoners, steal a helicopter...

On the subject of aerial vehciles; if I can have a glider that would be helpful.

[Thorinis]

Creature comforts, lots of rope and string, a hammack, the books on the FBI watch list. a couple of bullwhips for practice. My bola, sling, and a small wood working kit. A very good woodcarving knife. and copies of all my favorite books. Cards with coordinates to a very little known valley in Alaska that can be handed to certain individuals I find worth saving.

While most would be willing to take great alcohol I am unfortunately allergic to it and that is kinda counter productive to the thread.

As much steel as I could fit in the back of a two and a half ton army truck. A forge, anvil and the rest of the tools. Schematics for a ballista, catapult, trebuchet, and other interesting medieval weapons. I like tossing things, that and they make good defenses especially if they are able to be rotated to fire from the top of the mountain your living on.

To make my self a nuisance to the government If I were to stay. An underground silo, that I can use to hack into there hard lines and cause all sorts of glitches. Definitely things to make explosives. a way to build an underground greenhouse. Internet. The gauntlet of doom gotta keep the fascists out.

[19th Century Space Pilot]

Actually, I'll take the computer nerd whizz. Someone's got to break through the government firewalls, screwing with their system while they do so.

[Thorinis]

didn't think of that, then again where one is better a small group is better.

[Pog]

This thread about your favourite posessions has somehow turned into a Zombie-Apocalypse scenario!

[Thorinis]

Red Dawn Sir not Night of the Living Dead. After all it is a whole different warfare for zombies. Besides like I said I am a survivalist in northern climates, damned sure I intend to be able to survive and besides I find the stuff interesting and worth knowing. My wife gets after me because when I retire I intend to build a replica of a triple crossbow the Chinese made for border defense. That or a really big trebuchet, after all I plan on being able to cast rocks into the valley river. from the top our the hill we are looking at. Maybe an air cannon. I have plenty of time to think about it.

[Pog]

Is that particular weapon called a Chu-Ko-Nu? Or something like that?

[Sgt.Major Thistlewaite]

Punkin Chunkin'....

Air cannon= major fun!

[Thorinis]

Well Sgt. Your the only one to guess the second reason for building anything that can fling a pumpkin.

[Pog]

Attack, defense, feeding the hungry and crazed amusement.

[Indefinitive]

My laptop and my fish tanks are the things I'd keep.

My laptop is currently my last contact with the world outside my apartment and workplace. My cell phone is currently broken. I'm managing, but without my laptop, I'm kind of hooped in terms of contact.

Caring for my fish is one of the things that keeps me sane in this crazy universe. I love the little guys to death. Except my oto. He makes a mess of the tank. I swear, he creates more waste than he takes in.

[Prof Marvel]

>Major Hathaway, my good sir, where would you get the ammo? Firearms are dead weight
>without a reliable supply of something for them to fire...

I have a .45 automatic, a good one, as well as five .45 long Colt revolvers, and about 30 other guns...and I already have stockpiled ammunition for every one of them, in excess.

To answer the next question before it is asked:
- cast your own lead, save the empty brass and used primers and reload both from well known formularies in various apothecary's handbooks.
- use archery gear, spearguns, flintlocks and muzzleloading revolvers for everyday needs, saving the serious hardware for the Zombie hoards. 

Come on, people! How do you expect to survive the Apocalypse if you're not willing to do a little basic preparation?

Heavens, my dear sir, the Apocalypse  is a whole nother kettle of cuttlefish, requiring a variety of religious preps and side choosing :-)  or if you are Mayan, it's just another turn of the wheel....

By the way, Tesla, if the SHTF, you make your way up here, you seem like a good sort...none of that drivel about doing yourself in, eh? They may take us down, my friend, but it won't be without knowing that By God they've been in a fight!

Indeed Sir! Huzzah! We may go undercover, disappear from view, but WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT!

I believe the "end" is going to come a lot more subtly than most think it will...not with a bang, or even with a whimper, but with a slow erosion of everything that makes life worth living. It's already happening.
~Thistlewaite

Unfortunately I concurr ... I think not the great apocolypse, but TEOTWAWKI is like the end of the lobster, in a slowly heated pot, and the pot is already too warm.

It appears that numerous individuals have actually put no little thought in Preparations for the coming discomfort, however that may arrive.

I submit that the answer is a medly of prior thoughts:

Basics for the body: food&water, shelter, clothing, warmth and coolth. tools for cooking & clothing maintenance.

Basics for the mind: books, paper&pen, communication ( be it written, oral, or computerized)
                            appropriate "toys" to keep the mind sharp and provide some amusement!

Basics for a livelihood: tools of YOUR trade to make a living; tools of OTHER trades to fix that which inevitably breaks. appropriate books to learn what you don't already know.

Basics for the heart: loved ones, four-legged and winged as well as two-legged, and an ability to nuture and maintain a sense of humanity: for example, I will not turn away a sentient being who asks for my help in a good way; However should anyone try to take what is mine or harm me and mine, I shall let loose the dogs of war, wipe them from the face of this earth, burn what is left, and salt the earth they stood upon. Then pray for their soul (and mine)

Basics for the soul: That Which You Choose to nurture and expand yourself and your spirit for positive purposes.

Basics for Trade, commerce, and the continuation of civilization and community, for it is through community (whether they be good trustworthy neighbors or like-minded netizens welcomed from afar) that we can share the load, spread the diversity of knowledge and skills, and maintain sanity against the darkness creeping in.

Basics for the defense therof, be it from the random thief, standing varlet, or mongol hoards.

Learn from the past, we naked apes have thrived thru various calamities, natural and otherwise,  and many of our forefathers came to a place with nothing more than they could carry, and made a good life for themselves and families (and not at the cost of others).

as always,
yhs
prof marvel

[Nikola Tesla]

This thread about your favourite posessions has somehow turned into a Zombie-Apocalypse scenario!

Given the crew here are you really all that surprised?

[Prof Marvel]

This thread about your favourite posessions has somehow turned into a Zombie-Apocalypse scenario!

Given the crew here are you really all that surprised?

Well, it did start in  Metaphysical, so it only seems appropriate to turn all  Metaphysiphilosophicall

"Sorry sir, table stakes only, no Maxims allowed"
"Well then old son, I'll see your C-96 and raise you two 1911's "

yhs
prof marvel

[Pog]

Conflict, I guess

Schroedinger (I think) said that a world without conflict would be impossible.

[Prof Marvel]

Conflict, I guess

Schroedinger (I think) said that a world without conflict would be impossible.

Without stormy days how could we appreciate the sunny ones?
yhs
prof marvel

[Frozen_Gear]

All I need is the most basic necessities, my mind, some tools, anything else can be made or looted later.

[malcontentcontent]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

If you had to iron down your life to only the necessities due to some cruel fascist dictator taking hold of the country through either a rigged election, assassination and faked presidential will or complete military overhaul of the nation causing minimal casualties but still gaining control of all major media centres in an attempt to brainwash the next generations in a way that could be compared to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il whose people worship him in an almost, if not completely, God-like manner and ANYWAY....

If you had to live with only the essentials what wouldn't you throw out...?

For me, my computer, my TV, my DS, my books, the internet, the XBox 360, my music and my LEGO (15 isn't too old!!!)

You?

I'd leave the country or die trying.

Seriously though, I'd have to have my music, and something to listen to it on, and I'd need my guitar(s!). I'd also need materials to write and plenty to read.  The internet would be nice to have,too, but I could live without it.  I'm sure I could find other means to amuse myself, and if I had to, I could probably make new friends.