Post: #1

Just got this email from Simon Black:

Quote:From: Simon Black
Santiago, Chile

Dear Reader,

At 3:09 PM on Thursday September 8, 2011, a densely populated area of the world suffered an unplanned power outage leaving 5 million people without electricity.

Banks closed early and ATM machines failed...

Schools, businesses and gas stations were shuttered...

Cars jammed the roadways and those with fragile health filled nearby hospitals...

Looting and burglaries were reported and several bodies of water were contaminated with sewage...

In other words, during those 24 hours without electricity, the underpinnings of normal society crumbled and everything descended into relative chaos.

You might expect something like this to happen in many undeveloped places across the world.

But this event didn't occur in an undeveloped area. It happened in the United States. In fact, it happened in San Diego County. An area that, according to Forbes, is home to some of the most expensive zip codes in the entire country.

And if hundreds and hundreds of years of history are any guide, the events in San Diego County are only a very small scale preview of a fast approaching Category 5 Economic Hurricane.

This is the one that cannot and will not be avoided.

Western Civilization's Economic Barometer Is Falling At 0.1 Millibars Per Hour... (goes on and one in one of those weesh internet "sales letters" http://www.sovereignman.com/confidential/SMC_gse.php

Now, I like Simon Black's site. In fact, I gave him my "Best Blog" Award winner for 2011 http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2012/01/the...-2011.html (Past winners include Rooshv and Roissy).

But it just so happens that I was in San Diego during the power outage. In fact, I was at physical therapy for my well documented back injury just after I lost my passport and returned from the topless beaches of Spain.

And I can tell you that it was anything but a situation where "everything descended into relative chaos".

In fact, people in San Diego were out in the streets and partying. BBQing together and sharing wine.

It was the nicest I had ever seen people act towards each other.

In fact, that night, I cooked a steak The G Manifesto Way with a fly Persian girl that came over and swooped her by candle light. It was pretty smooth.

However, it did dawn on me that if the power outage continued, I don't think people would act that way for too much longer.

I actually bought some gold and silver coins the next day.

More I think about it, maybe he is right.

Post: #2

(02-28-2012 01:41 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  In fact, people in San Diego were out in the streets and partying. BBQing together and sharing wine.

It was the nicest I had ever seen people act towards each other...

However, it did dawn on me that if the power outage continued, I don't think people would act that way for too much longer.

If we could limit that power outage to Facebook, TV, Texting, Youtube and Twitter, people might continue to act that way.

Post: #3

(02-28-2012 01:41 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Just got this email from Simon Black:

Quote:From: Simon Black
Santiago, Chile

Dear Reader,

At 3:09 PM on Thursday September 8, 2011, a densely populated area of the world suffered an unplanned power outage leaving 5 million people without electricity.

Banks closed early and ATM machines failed...

Schools, businesses and gas stations were shuttered...

Cars jammed the roadways and those with fragile health filled nearby hospitals...

Looting and burglaries were reported and several bodies of water were contaminated with sewage...

In other words, during those 24 hours without electricity, the underpinnings of normal society crumbled and everything descended into relative chaos.

You might expect something like this to happen in many undeveloped places across the world.

But this event didn't occur in an undeveloped area. It happened in the United States. In fact, it happened in San Diego County. An area that, according to Forbes, is home to some of the most expensive zip codes in the entire country.

And if hundreds and hundreds of years of history are any guide, the events in San Diego County are only a very small scale preview of a fast approaching Category 5 Economic Hurricane.

This is the one that cannot and will not be avoided.

Western Civilization's Economic Barometer Is Falling At 0.1 Millibars Per Hour... (goes on and one in one of those weesh internet "sales letters" http://www.sovereignman.com/confidential/SMC_gse.php

Now, I like Simon Black's site. In fact, I gave him my "Best Blog" Award winner for 2011 http://www.thegmanifesto.com/2012/01/the...-2011.html (Past winners include Rooshv and Roissy).

But it just so happens that I was in San Diego during the power outage. In fact, I was at physical therapy for my well documented back injury just after I lost my passport and returned from the topless beaches of Spain.

And I can tell you that it was anything but a situation where "everything descended into relative chaos".

In fact, people in San Diego were out in the streets and partying. BBQing together and sharing wine.

It was the nicest I had ever seen people act towards each other.

In fact, that night, I cooked a steak The G Manifesto Way with a fly Persian girl that came over and swooped her by candle light. It was pretty smooth.

However, it did dawn on me that if the power outage continued, I don't think people would act that way for too much longer.

I actually bought some gold and silver coins the next day.

More I think about it, maybe he is right.

I've mentioned before in this forum that some of my fondest boyhood memories in the Philippines was during the frequent power outages we had. I've had more time to play and bond with friends, cousins, relatives, and neighbors. If I'm not in the mood to play or socialize, I'll read my comic books by the candle light. Eating was fun too, as the flames from the grill and the way it seared your food become more fascinating to you and eating your food by the candle light made things cozy.

I think Americans have become way too obsessed with gadgets and it doesn't help us at all with making friends and swooping. Just earlier, I was biding my time on a RedBox line waiting to open this fly black girl, wavy hair, pretty face, slim body but she couldn't stop talking on her goddamn phone! Cellphones, I only hate them with a passion if people misuse them.

Quote:However, it did dawn on me that if the power outage continued, I don't think people would act that way for too much longer.

What made you think this way? If they were having a fun time, sharing wine, etc. you don't trust that good feelings/relations would be sustained among them?

Post: #4

(02-28-2012 01:41 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Western Civilization's Economic Barometer Is Falling At 0.1 Millibars Per Hour... (goes on and one in one of those weesh internet "sales letters" http://www.sovereignman.com/confidential/SMC_gse.php

Yeah. Simon Black is definitely selling an "idea." I like his angle but he does play into the fear-mongering a bit excessively.

Neil Strauss has a non-PUA book about similar subject matter.

Post: #5

(02-28-2012 02:01 AM)Enfant_Terrible Wrote:  I've mentioned before in this forum that some of my fondest boyhood memories in the Philippines was during the frequent power outages we had. I've had more time to play and bond with friends, cousins, relatives, and neighbors. If I'm not in the mood to play or socialize, I'll read my comic books by the candle light. Eating was fun too, as the flames from the grill and the way it seared your food become more fascinating to you and eating your food by the candle light made things cozy.

I think Americans have become way too obsessed with gadgets and it doesn't help us at all with making friends and swooping. Just earlier, I was biding my time on a RedBox line waiting to open this fly black girl, wavy hair, pretty face, slim body but she couldn't stop talking on her goddamn phone! Cellphones, I only hate them with a passion if people misuse them.

Yeah, I live in a house with several other people, and everyone splinters off to their own set of gadgets. I can see into the living room of the house next door very clearly, and it's a bunch of chicks watching TV like zombies. Can't help but figure that the diminution of socializing has sapped our ability to chill and converse.

Post: #6

(02-28-2012 02:16 AM)basilransom Wrote:  

(02-28-2012 02:01 AM)Enfant_Terrible Wrote:  I've mentioned before in this forum that some of my fondest boyhood memories in the Philippines was during the frequent power outages we had. I've had more time to play and bond with friends, cousins, relatives, and neighbors. If I'm not in the mood to play or socialize, I'll read my comic books by the candle light. Eating was fun too, as the flames from the grill and the way it seared your food become more fascinating to you and eating your food by the candle light made things cozy.

I think Americans have become way too obsessed with gadgets and it doesn't help us at all with making friends and swooping. Just earlier, I was biding my time on a RedBox line waiting to open this fly black girl, wavy hair, pretty face, slim body but she couldn't stop talking on her goddamn phone! Cellphones, I only hate them with a passion if people misuse them.

Yeah, I live in a house with several other people, and everyone splinters off to their own set of gadgets. I can see into the living room of the house next door very clearly, and it's a bunch of chicks watching TV like zombies. Can't help but figure that the diminution of socializing has sapped our ability to chill and converse.

Oy vey man, if I was in your situation I would organize a BBQ chill out party with 1 rule, no cell phones! I know...almost impossible and lots of excuses. "Oh what if this and that...." rubbish!

Post: #7

Quote:But this event didn't occur in an undeveloped area.

Of course not. In an underdeveloped area, when power goes out you take a rocking chair outside and play guitar with your neighbours.

No ATMs? No TV? Cant recharge my Blackberry? Shit hit the fan! Go get my shotgun son!

Post: #8

I'm curious as to how Mr. Black determined that a power outage is a sign of an "economic hurricane."

Ah well. Fear mongering works wonders for sales.

Post: #9

I get his angle but he is reaching. If any area can take a power hit its SoCal. It has a shitty grid that is held together with glue and tape, brownouts are common there. If this was a bad winter and this happend in Michigan, or Upstate NY... Then shit would get real as you have the cold to deal with also.

There is a better way to hammer in his point. On Black Friday you see people stampede and trample of each other for shit they don't need like TVs and Chinese crap. Okay. What will they do when there is a disaster and they need to scoop shit they actually need like food and water............

Post: #10

Some of these gadgets keep people insulated in their own worlds. I remember in the early 00's before everyone started to really text each other, before social media really went haywire and we had that huge blackout in the northeast. It was something similar to what G manifesto had described, I saw people cooking out in front of their buildings etc.

The only F'd up thing that I remembered about that Blackout was the manner in which the power was turned back on for certain neighborhoods/communities but still even in that regards people were more than willing to help out their neighbors.

---------

Although on the flip I can remember going to check on my grandmother and punks were robbing people on the stairwells in her building/complex (she lived in a high rise project at the time). Blackout or not that's something that happens in the hood on a regular basis.

When I think back on what happened in that period It reminds me of the stories that your read about EMP attacks (although cars and buses were still running). I saw gas stations hike their prices up, cats who couldn't get home where sleeping in parks on the street etc. If this had gone on for a week/two weeks it'd be a SHTF scenario, lots of people would be in a hard spot because they depend on youtube and google for practical knowledge. I don't like fear mongering but it's good to be prepared.

Post: #11

(02-28-2012 02:01 AM)Enfant_Terrible Wrote:  

Quote:However, it did dawn on me that if the power outage continued, I don't think people would act that way for too much longer.

What made you think this way? If they were having a fun time, sharing wine, etc. you don't trust that good feelings/relations would be sustained among them?

Yeah, I just got a bad feeling that people wouldn't be acting so friendly in a day or two.

Bottled water running out, food in the fridge going bad, gas stations not pumping, cell phones losing power.

I am curious what you guys think is that amount of days before things break down? Two days? Five?

But yeah, I can't remember people ever being cooler to each other when there was the power outage.

Everyone was outside. Hanging out. Talking. Smoking. Drinking. Having fun.

It kind of makes you think how great the world would be without so much technology.

Post: #12

(02-28-2012 10:47 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Yeah, I just got a bad feeling that people wouldn't be acting so friendly in a day or two.

Bottled water running out, food in the fridge going bad, gas stations not pumping, cell phones losing power.

I am curious what you guys think is that amount of days before things break down? Two days? Five?

I happen to think that if it were to get that extreme, I think people might band together to get whatever resource they need, put their minds together, and help each other out.

The only thing that I see it going wrong is if someone breached trust and if any conflict wasn't peacefully resolved.

Quote:But yeah, I can't remember people ever being cooler to each other when there was the power outage.

Everyone was outside. Hanging out. Talking. Smoking. Drinking. Having fun.

Perhaps it's time for a Philippines trip for the G?

Quote:It kind of makes you think how great the world would be without so much technology.

I think tech is great...if people (esp. girls) don't use it in stupid ways.
I don't think many girls abroad frequently use their cell phones as a shield like American girls do. Whenever I see a girl have her phone stuck to her cheek I'm thinking, "Is that conversation so important that it couldn't wait?" These girls probably don't do well with people.

Maybe phone companies should charge like insurance companies: more for talking time if you're a "personal user" and a "woman"

Post: #13

I see this like "camping". Its fun to "rough it' for a few days and live without the modern conveniences. Swimming in a lake, BBQing every afternoon, and sitting around the campfire.

But, after a few days, it gets old pretty quick. I mean, how long can you really go without a real toilet, shower, refrigerator, sink, etc.

The deeper issue is this....When I run out of water, I am now in a life or death situation. If my family doesn't have food, I will have to take drastic measures.

I hope I never see the day where something like this happens in America but if it does things will get ugly quick. 3 or 4 days without food and water and people will start to go crazy. Especially here in America where is dog eat dog. I know half of you guys are just waiting a reason to blast on somebody.

A hungry man is dangerous man.

Post: #14

Nice Bob Marley post Giovonny.

Here is the thing about Simon Black of Sovereign Man:

I have "caught" him in a couple of this "hype" exaggerations (I do a little traveling around the world as well).

I like his site and have learned a few things, but I sometimes don't know what is legit or not.

Unlike say The G Manifesto, where you can backtrack and check out and see everything is ironclad.

Good site regardless. One of the best in my opinion.

Post: #15

Simon Black sells fear and paranoia. He's no different than the guys who were around during Y2K.

A guy who lived through Argentina's collapse wrote a book and some blog entries on his experience.

Here is some legit material on an actual collapse:

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-1-3/

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-2-3/

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-3-3/

Post: #16

(02-28-2012 05:31 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  Here is some legit material on an actual collapse:

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-1-3/

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-2-3/

http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-3-3/

Thanks for posting this, made for a pretty interesting read.

I have the feeling that if an overwhelming collapse of U.S. society occurs, that it's going to be a hell on Earth like never seen before. We're a country United in name only, full of groups that hate one another, and armed to the teeth.

Post: #17

(02-28-2012 06:23 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  Thanks for posting this, made for a pretty interesting read.

I have the feeling that if an overwhelming collapse of U.S. society occurs, that it's going to be a hell on Earth like never seen before. We're a country United in name only, full of groups that hate one another, and armed to the teeth.

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and obese.

We are a nation of fat sheep, and easy to herd.

Post: #18

(02-28-2012 05:31 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  A guy who lived through Argentina's collapse wrote a book and some blog entries on his experience.

Here is some legit material on an actual collapse:
http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-1-3/
http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-2-3/
http://www.rapidtrends.com/surving-argen...-part-3-3/

I'd also recommend "Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects" by Dmitry Orlov.
It looks at the collapse of the Soviet Union and compares how Russians coped with the changes and then compares there situation with recent US situation and then how collapse could happen and how people will adapt.

If your not up for reading the book you might like to check out the talking points and slides of presentation he gave back in 2008 based on the book.

I've also read Strauss' Emergency, that Hencredible Casanova mentioned. I'd recommend both, but to me Collapse was more realistic, practical and based in fact.

I am a reader of Simon Black, he is getting more and more preachy plus pushy on the sales front. You have to filter a lot of the hyperbole, however I find it a good single source of up to date info on finance, governments, erosion of rights, etc.

Another daily newsletter I quite like is FrontierMEDEX's HotSpots - its a daily update summarizing world events from the previous 24 hours(protests, bombings, threats, etc.) around the world and also what could be happening in coming days (national holidays - anniversary of certain events, travel warning updates, strike action, aviation incidents, etc). A lot of foreign correspondents and news rooms use it. It's designed as a travel alerts service, but its also an easy way to keep up with world events. Check out a sample update here and sign up for the updates here.

Post: #19

Just found this brilliant powerpoint on collapse from Orlov

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=...38cttxz5vn

Post: #20

I used to be a big fan of Sovereign Man, but in recent months the quality has gone down significantly. The site used to put out actionable information every day, and most of the information you couldn't find on any other site. Nowadays his blogging style has shifted from giving you the information you need to telling you why you need the information inside his premium membership site. The quality of the premium service has gone down as well, as several key members have lost the site due to lack of incentive for sharing quality information.

For anyone looking for a free alternative to Sovereign Man, I suggest http://www.internationalman.com
Its a spinoff site, but they have a free forum and their daily newsletter is reminiscent of Sovereign Man in the early days.