What do you need to survive?

[kfd82]

The food stamp thread got me thinking.

In today's world what does it take to survive? I know that you must have food, clothing, and shelter but I'm talking about surviving and being productive in society.

Can you function productively without a cell phone or internet? A family strapped for cash has these things and is also on food stamps....are they luxury items or are they necessities?

If there are kids in the house Internet is almost a must have. Kids are having to turn in typed reports, do research, etc.. for school way more frequently than even 10 years ago.

Yes, the kid could go use a computer and internet for free at the public library, but what is the cost there? How many trips back and forth burning fuel are needed to complete a paper?
The cost of internet service could actually be cheaper than the cost of gas.

An argument could be made that cell phones are not needed, and I agree with that one. However, in todays world if an employer calls you for an interview and cant get a hold of you he will likely just move on to the next name on his list.
(If I were an employer I would want employees who were easy to contact)

Now remember, I'm not talking about t-bone steaks and 20" rims and smokes and beer. I'm thinking about things that are normally considered as luxury items but may actually be necessities now a days.

What do yall think?

[okrattler]

I think the internet isn't really needed it's more of just a thing that's pretty convenient to have around.For example,you don't have to actually drive to Cabelas to order somethin.......you just get on their website and get what you want and UPS should have it on your doorstep in a day or two.But as far as really needing the internet goes.........not really.I could live without it but I'd rather not.
You mentioned students needing computers so that they can get a report or an assignment done.Well they don't necessarily need the internet either.Many reports and assignments have been written with a pencil.

I think cell phones are actually needed.I don't think a person necessariliy needs to be texting 24 hours a day while they're driving and all that business but it's nice to be able to call home if you're car breaks down or you have a real emergency and can't get to a pay phone or somethin like that.Or if someone in your family has something important to tell you they have that option.It's always nice for them to be able to call you instead of tellin you about it when you get home.

[greengo]

[QUOTE=okrattler;3467782]I think the internet isn't really needed it's more of just a thing that's pretty convenient to have around.For example,you don't have to actually drive to Cabelas to order somethin.......you just get on their website and get what you want and UPS should have it on your doorstep in a day or two.But as far as really needing the internet goes.........not really.I could live without it but I'd rather not.QUOTE]

You can always order out of the cabelas catalog.....

[okrattler]

No I can't..........I don't get Cabelas catalogs in the mail.

But you are correct.It would basically be the same thing if I ordered stuff that way.I can't speak for everyone else but the only reason I use the internet is because..................theres alot of neat stuff there.Thats about the only reason I have.

[Swooshski]

It will depend on age, family or not, kids or not etc.

But I lost an uncle, in 2009, at the age of 95. He lived alone in the Brazos Valley area and was still drinking rain water collected into a sistern, wood burning stove for heat and cooking, and lived off his own beef and garden produce. There was a light bulb hanging in each room, a radio, a fridge, a freezer and a water well pump. That was it for electrical things. Other than serving in WWII he'd never been away from that farm and never held a job as an employee. He taught me a lot about what you can live without. He used to tell me the only thing you absolutely had to have was faith. And oddly enough, that other thread here about "your happy place" ---- well, that farm was and still is my happy place when I want to reconnect with myself and realign my priorities when things get a little fuzzy.

I'm not saying that this is a practical way to be in today's world, but it just shows what determination, living within your means and hard work can do.

[BoneDigger]

Try finding an encyclopedia that is updated these days. It's even hard finding books that are up-to-date on most topics. The internet has become the primary research tool for school kids. That is, aside from their textbooks. I would suspect that if the teacher were told that the student simply has no such access that the teacher would make exceptions.

Cell phones are very useful but I'm not sure that it isn't a luxury item. I did without them for many years and could do so again.

As far as necessities, I think you pretty much nailed it: food, water, shelter, clothing. Anything else is a luxury, including a car. If I had to I could walk to work. Perhaps cooking utensils would be a necessity?

It might be viable to say that some things are semi-necessities: vehicle, cell phone, computer. But I think most of us could get by without it if we had to.

Todd

[QuackAddict]

So at least a cell phone is needed to keep yourself in hunting gear.

I'd think a vehicle of some sort would be required too, unless you live in NYC where you can walk/bus/bike to work or take a cab.

[red]

all i need is this chair........and this lamp..........and this thermos.........

[Tommyh]

Mass transit in Houston is iffy and being cut back in some areas, so a car is almost a necessity if you have to drive any distance to work.

its amazing that we were quite sufficient without internet, cable, heck even tv for a long time.

[Coach W]

The internet is available at any public library. Bikes are cheap. Vehicles arent a necessity.

1. Food
2. Shelter
3. Running Water
4. Electricity

everything else is just cake to a hobo, who happen to get by without 2 or 3 of these!

But I think we are talking about a person that works. He needs to stay clean and presentable, therefore running water. Electricity to stay warm, I guess Fire would suffice.
So maybe even #4 is not a necessity.

[Tommyh]

I say remember the 5 Fs.

Feet
Fanny
Face
Front
Fingers

Keep them clean and you will be a serviceable airman!

[okrattler]

Vehicles aren't a necessity?I suppose in a way they aren't but they seem pretty important to me.I need a car to survive.....I don't know about the rest of ya'll.If I ever had to get to Houston (for example of course) from my house on a bike I'd never make it.I wouldn't ride no bike from my house to Houston even if everyone gave up on cars and started ridin bikes everywhere.I aint sayin I aint in good shape but for cryin out loud I'm pretty sure I'd die of exhaustion before I got there.Either that or the bike would break and I'd have to walk the rest of the way.........No I wouldn't I'd just set in the ditch and wait for someone riding a bike with a side car to find me.

[BoneDigger]

Vehicles are a necessity?I suppose in a way they are but they seem pretty important to me.I need a car to survive.....I don't know about the rest of ya'll.If I ever had to get to Houston from my house on a bike I'd never make it.I wouldn't ride no bike from my house to Houston even if everyone gave up on cars and started ridin bikes everywhere.I aint sayin I aint in good shape but for cryin out loud I'm pretty sure I'd die of exhaustion before I got there.Either that or the bike would break and I'd have to walk the rest of the way.........No I wouldn't I'd just set in the ditch and wait for someone riding a bike with a side car to find me.

I think the idea here is "What would it take to survive." Not necessarily in your present job. Of course riding a bike 50+ miles to work each day would be untenable for most people, but you might be able to if you found a job closer to your home.

Todd

[buckmastertexas]

The thing about most of these things, such as the car, cell phone , computer,ect even the TV, is that it makes us tremendously more efficient as a nation, more productive as a nation. We are the most productive country in the world. These things definitely are dual use, for work and play. If we do without them, we definitely will reduce our contribution to our society. But on an individual basis, we can make do. As a nation things would come to a screeching halt, at least a slowdown.

[Speedgoat]

My physical ability to work for my food and the blessings of God.