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The Apocalypse Will Be Slow and Boring

Jake von Slatt — Mon, 09/01/2008 - 23:05

In 1978 James Burke produced and narrated a series on the history of science called Connections. It's a wonderful series and I highly recommend you get a hold of all three seasons.

But right now, watch this video about technology traps.  You'll get the idea after the first ten minutes but feel free to seek out and watch the whole thing.

When the infrastructure in the city breaks down it would seem that the smartest thing to do is flee.  But that is not an option for many and anyway you have to see disaster coming to get out ahead of the swarm of humanity with the same idea. 

And where will you go?  When you get there, what will you do? Will you even know when to leave?

The apocalypse will come by inches, you won't know it's upon you until long after it's too late.  But if you have a copy of this book you may not notice it at all because you'll by comfortable, well fed and in a position to help those around you.

toolbox for sustainable city living

Scott Kellogg and Stacy Pettigrew of Austin's Rizome Collective have put together this book, Toolbox for Sustainable City Living on sustainable living, permaculture, aquaculture, energy production, bioremediation and many other subjects all designed with city dwellers in mind.  Subjects such as gardening, alternative energy and fuels are only touched upon as there are many resources already available.  However the information on Aquaculture and particularly bioremediation of contaminated land (brownfields) is extensive and unique.

The Apocalypse will be slow and boring - pay attention and prepare and you might not even notice it.

 [People often send me books for review - but this is one I sought out and bought because I find the subject a fascinating and complex puzzle.]

 

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Steampunk Urban Homestead

J. S. Greyshade — Thu, 04/07/2011 - 18:39

Forgive the excentricity of comenting on a two-year-old post but I feel I should share the fact that urban homesteading is where steampunk thought has led me as well. I have recently sold my condo in order to buy a broken down house on a large plot of land and I've begun the long process of turning it into a homestead with steampunk flair. I am chronicling my adventures on a my new blog. http://www.greyshadeestate.blogspot.com/

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Just out of curiosity, have

Marrock — Tue, 09/02/2008 - 15:06

Just out of curiosity, have you ever read "World Made By Hand"?

The author bills it as "A Novel of the Post-Oil Future", I haven't had a chance to read it myself yet and was looking for opinions on whether or not I should bother...

The site for it is at http://www.worldmadebyhand.com/

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Oh, that looks

Jake von Slatt — Tue, 09/02/2008 - 16:17

Oh, that looks interesting, the reviews on Amazon look positive.  But he's wrong about one thing - the HAM radio operators of the world will ensure radio survives, there may be no internet but news will still travel at the speed of light worldwide.

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And other resources...

HappyJack1888 — Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:07

Far be it from me to be contrary, dear Jake, but as much as "The Toolbox" is an interesting and informative primer, I found it far from adequate in providing the comprehensive technical data required to set up self-sufficient urban living systems. Of course, at it's length and with its audience, this probably wasn't the author's intentions. Without any disrespect to the authors, who have provided a fine overview, may I direct your reader's attention to the recently published "The Urban Homestead" by Kelly Coyne and Erick Knutzen for urban agricultural technique and to the much beloved Lindsay's Technical Books (lindsaybks.com) for power generation, water purification, and working facilities. And happy weathering of the slowpocalypse to us all!

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Mr. HappyJack: I know you,

Jake von Slatt — Tue, 09/02/2008 - 13:56

Mr. HappyJack: I know you, you are made of contrary and proud of it!

But you make an excellent point. 

Lindsay's Technical Books is a favorite resource of mine and a boon to Steampunk Makers and thank you for pointing out The Urban Homestead!

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