What do you need to survive?

[glen]

I could get by without a computer at home. We could get by without cell phones- and without television. If had had fuel to run the tractor I could almost get by without a grocery store. I can remember a time when I was a kid we had very little because alot of my family's income came from beef and I reember loading them for $0.19 a pound. Dad and rest of family went into differnet ways to make money and provide but for a few years we didnt have much. It was actually some of the better times when I look back on life.

[bowhuntntxn]

When i ponder the things we have today compared to when my Dad did business, I am astonished anything ever got done. Cellular telephones are not needed. You can get a home phone for a very small fee per month. And the argument of using it if your car breaks down, try it for one month. Make no calls, no texts, and no communication with the cell phone unless you break down. If you can make that happen, then you dont need it!! and KFD if a person explained to an employer that he might be difficult to get a hold of, or gave them a solid number for messages, then the employer should be considerate enough to overlook the cell phone issue.

internet in the home.... luxury 100%.

vehicle...50/50 on that one. if so many people didnt own vehicles, the public transit system would be a lot stronger and more available. i see a lot of people walking in all sorts of weather to and from jobs every day. so in a way they arent necessary, but sure help things when you can afford them.

[okrattler]

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

I see............I'd definitely have to live in a pretty convenient location if I ever had to switch to ridin a bike though.If I lived fairly close to work,the grocery store and my house it wouldn't be too big of a deal I guess.But the first chance I got I'd buy a horse.

[Swooshski]

This topic is an interesting one though. Based on my reading and resources that I have discussed this with, a nuclear device detonated above the US would make life pretty darned interesting. Electronics, roughly in a 1000 mile radius, would not survive the electromagnetic pulse generated from the detonation. That entails a lot of stuff ... autos, planes, phones, computers, tv's, radios, cooking stoves, a/c and heating units, security systems, elevators, medical facilities, law enforcement facilities and equipment .... you get the picture. So when you have a second, turn off American Idol, and play the "what-if" game. Try to imagine how your town/city would handle the emergency and what you would need to survive and protect your family. It'll make you think, that's for sure. Even though Y2K was a non-event for many it was our first hint at what the loss of electronic capabilities would have on our society and country.

[Patton]

For me personally in my life...

I am a college student so the computer is a necessity without a doubt. Internet is provided "for free" by the university and printers are here also.
It would be possible to get by without a cell phone, but terribly inconvenient for talking to family back home and getting a hold of friends and study partners.
Although it would be inconvenient, I could survive without a car. But I use it to get groceries, go to the ranch, and in case I have to go home on short notice for the grandparents.

Absolutely Need: Computer
Need but could do without: Phone, Car

[Fightinaggies]

I think its not my job to support someone with internet or a cell phone or a car. You are thinking along the lines of living a "normal lifestyle". You dont need a cell phone to have a job or the internet. Those things are luxuries and if you want them go get a job and earn them. If you hand someone all of that stuff whats their incintive to go do for themselves? If they give any assistence at all it should be the bare neccesities of bread, milk, hamburger, sugar, etc.

[Patton]

This topic is an interesting one though. Based on my reading and resources that I have discussed this with, a nuclear device detonated above the US would make life pretty darned interesting. Electronics, roughly in a 1000 mile radius, would not survive the electromagnetic pulse generated from the detonation. That entails a lot of stuff ... autos, planes, phones, computers, tv's, radios, cooking stoves, a/c and heating units, security systems, elevators, medical facilities, law enforcement facilities and equipment .... you get the picture. So when you have a second, turn off American Idol, and play the "what-if" game. Try to imagine how your town/city would handle the emergency and what you would need to survive and protect your family. It'll make you think, that's for sure. Even though Y2K was a non-event for many it was our first hint at what the loss of electronic capabilities would have on our society and country.

In the case of a nuclear bomb, I would want to take my family and certain people, gather the needed items (gas bullets, arrows, etc.) to someones ranch/land and live there. At that point I think it's about survival at that point.

[quarterback]

Air (O2)
Beer
Potato Chips or Jerky
Wifey

[Cajun Blake]

Health ....... if you don't have your health, you're in serious trouble.

I see this all the time in my line of work.

** If talking the most basic necessities to survive during a major catastrophic event .. i.e. War , coup / uprising, Weather ..... etc....

Fire and water will keep you alive

[flatlander]

Interesting question....

On the cell phone,....for somebody jobhunting that is on a limited budget,m it should be one of the first things to go. If a cell phone is a requirement for a job the company will give you one or at least pay the bill (or a portion of it) every month.

Vehicle---As an outside sales rer there is NO WAY I could do my job without a vehicle, but for a lot of people who drive to an from the same place every day there may be other options. I wouldn't live anywhere near my office just because the neighborhood is terrible. At one time, in the '50s and '60s people lived, shopped and worked all within a few mile radius. Times have changed though.

But I get your point, a lot of the stuff we have is as much a distraction as a benefit.

[Longhorn95]

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

What do you think I'm some kind of a jerk or something!

[turkeylover]

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.

It's hard to dry my hair by the fire :-D

[kenforu]

This

I agree with this one....

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

[kfd82]

I realize that we could all live in a cave and eat rock soup for a few months if we had too. But for someone who is getting one or more forms of government assistance and is trying to get off of it what are that persons necessities?

If you cut of phone, internet, car, etc... yes you can survive on what the government gives you, but you will stay there. A lot of people mention that they would work at McDonalds or Taco Bell "If I had too", I understand that but even if you did work there and had 2 kids at home, chances are you still would need some form of welfare. Who here could support you family on minimum wage with no outside assistance?

"I've been down on my luck and sold my car because I couldnt afford it. I also turned off internet service and cell service, but I do have a home phone. If you can catch me at home, I spend a lot of time walking and riding my bike looking for work you see, I'll hope to catch your call should you decide to hire me."
Hmmm, I dont think too many 30,000 or better a year job offers are gonna roll in for that guy. (I think the poverty line is at 25000 a year, but I'm not positive)

If there is no work within walking or biking distance what do you do? You cant afford to move, if you cant afford groceries how could you afford an apartment in town near work? Turn to government housing???

The vicious circle repeats....

I dont know what the answer is. I fully support drug testing, but why should a 3 year old child go hungry because his parent failed a drug test? Should we take the child into foster care? We would be spending the same tax dollars on that child as we were with the food stamp program.

**** I am NOT talking about people who are ABUSING the system**** They are flat out scum!

[Rotag]

Copenhagen it also allows the people around me to survive
Shelter food and water