Tag Archives: Length

Hello. Apologies for the length of this in advance.

I’ve recently become a fan of the show “The Colony” on The Discovery Channel. After watching several episodes, I’ve become disparaged as to what my own usefulness would be in such a situation. If you don’t know, The Colony takes a sample of people and puts them together into a situation which attempts to simulate what an apocalyptic event would be like. In other words, they have no electricity, amenities, tools, etc. They attempt to survive by putting together shelter, establishing order, guarding against looters, etc.

I’ve been reading discussion groups on this with people stating various things they would do which range, from killing people and looting strangers, to rebuilding society. I however, am not sure what I would do.
I’m not a completely pampered city boy; I live out in the country and I’ve built small standing buildings like sheds and such with my dad, but I’ve only been the sort of mindless builder, cutting wood, and nailing whatever I’m told to do. I have no skill for designing or engineering of the sort, my interest in life has been in arts and literature. The show includes people like contractors, engineers, mechanics, etc. I am amazed by the skills these people possess, and wish I had the same sort of qualities. Unfortunately, I can’t even change oil (not that I’ve ever had need to though, I don’t drive or have a car).

I love the show, but watching it always leaves wishing I knew the survival skills they display. They hunt, they design and build shelters with defenses against intruders, they even create rudimentary technology like light systems, am transmitters, and generators, all from spare parts.

I was wondering what the best way would be to go around learning these awesome skills. I’m going to be senior this year in high school, so hopefully there is still a lot of time for me to learn.
I’m sorry if this is posted in the wrong place.

Also, I feel I should mention that i’m thinking of going the medical route in my career life, because of this very problem. I feel that medicine is an important skill, but i’d like to become useful in other ways as well.