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Working as a team

I love reading books and have got many an idea for my total domination of the Universe from them. It reminded me of ‘Six Days of the Condor’ where our hero was involved in reading books and finding ideas from them for the CIA, the only spy game in town at the time although tame by todays standards.

Fast forward a few years and I find that our stories are getting more fantastic, as in extravagant, and yet still realistic and feasible. Luckily for us real life does not seem to follow these scenarios. Probably because of the high risk factors and we like to reduce risks where possible. So real life is lagging well behind fiction stories and when it does, rarely, touch on some fantastic schemes, like 911, it shocks the world so much that we still feel the reverberations over a decade later.

In business this is called looking outside the box. It means to drop any preconceptions of boundaries and think of other options, options which are normally not examined because they are automatically rejected for some reason, either legality, cost or risk.

In prepping though we should always be thinking outside the box. Things like legality, cost and risk have different meanings after an event.

  • What is illegal now, leaving your bin ajar, nobody will care about after.
  • Cost will be measured in time and materials not cash.
  • Risk will have different parameters such as risk dying by doing something or die by default.

One of the tasks I was very good at was weighing risks and getting people to look outside the box. Solving problems for clients and delivering user requirements.

For this the people working for you need to be confident that you would not treat them with disdain for any suggestions they make. You all need need to put aside prejudice and listen to things we would not consider fully, think about those things and ask does it achieve the objectives. If not can it be modified? If so what are the flaws, the issues and the costs? Examine the reasons for rejecting the idea and see if there are modifications that can be made to fix those. I like putting things on whiteboards and have a few around. Primary objective at top, secondary objectives below and then the schematics of the idea. Discuss, scribble and decide.

  • Is it because it is illegal? If so is it only illegal here can it be done elsewhere?
  • Is it cost? If so how can you make it cheaper? Does it need to have all those parts, can it be second hand, scrap and rebuilt?
  • It is too risky? If so what is the risk of doing without in a SHTF scenario? What is the risk? If we build it now can you try it out under controlled circumstances before an event.

Move on and examine all till you have a list of those that will work and then choose from the working versions. Usually you don’t have too many options to choose from. Make sure that the parts you don’t understand are explained by someone that does and examined by everyone.

This is the way for us as a group to consider all our options remotely without us having even met. In business this is called a virtual team and I have worked for years on projects with experts I have never met in real life. By talking about and suggesting solutions to problems we are helping others look at things in a different way. Even if that solution does not work for them it may for someone else or spur an offshoot when coupled with another idea that does.

So, no matter how outlandish the idea, legal or not, low cost or hideously expensive if you have an idea then share it, ensure that you are not giving away your OPSEC though as you can obviously omit personal details and then as the saying goes, run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.

So far most of the ideas I’m using in my preparing were not thought of even twenty years ago. It was all guns and beans. We have adapted and this is why we will come out on top if an event occurs. Most were thought of by an individual and we just pick up and run with the idea. Perhaps we should start thinking outside the box and set up a virtual team for some of the more difficult problems and develop our own solutions to problems. We already have identified a few shortcomings in our preps. As a team we may be able to deal with them.

Anyone interested?

20 comments to Working as a team

  • As far as the Kiddsy clan is concerned, count on us ! !

  • Ellen

    I don’t know but “Six days of the Condor” was pretty spooky. The first time I watched it was for sheer enjoyment. As with the movies “Red Dawn” and “Conspiracy Theory”. But I have since started gleaning more out of such things than one would normally.
    Like my favorite line in “Red Dawn” is when the pilot (Powers Booth) says “they came across the borders” (not an exact quote). Who would have thought when that movie was made that such could have been going on for decades before and we know that it has since.
    No, I do not bet my life on such, but (here I go again) as whoever in Alice in Wonderland said, It gets curiouser and curiouser.
    I also find it remarkable that as LIBERAL as Hollywood is that they can come up with things that seem to actually be happening even though it is still most covert. Like the movie “Minority Report” where they have pre crime arrests. Now it seems that things have advanced to where they can arrest you, as a full fledged citizen, without charging you and hold you indefinely.
    We have all watched war movie’s through the decades they have become more realistic. They show the brutality of man. Such is the movie with Bruce Willis “Tears of the Sun”. We know this happens and they tried to tastefully show it. Some parts was still grusome and could only be shown in miniscule parts with dialog.
    War movies and others depict the fact of marshall law. But shows only the top layer. Marshall law could possibly include things such as no reason for you to be picked up and could very well include the “Nazi” type.
    So I do not think that “Six days of the Condor” was really to far off the beaten message. Someone somewhere is in a think tank reading something that will cause someone problems. And it looks like it is the ordinary folks, instead of countries, that are going to be subject to the assimulation of the information.
    I will have to find a copy of “Doomsday” with Rhona Mitra, first wonder if there are indeed eyeballs like that, recording devices, and found it remarkable that the ones in the city had all the imminities and the ones in outlying country had gone back to the era of living in dank castles and of course can’t forget the hords of gangs.
    Then again I do not have any overt fear of all of this. We will learn to, as Gunny Hyway said in “Heatbreak Ridge” to improvise-overcome-and adapt.
    As far as real life. Assessing situations. Finding solutions. It will all change, some day by day, some as the weeks, months, yeas go by. And then if something does happen to make us find ourselves in a compromised situation we will have to read it on the spur of the moment, unless it has slowly slide into place and we could devise ways around it, through it, over it or under it.
    I think sometimes we think to much.

  • fred

    We have adapted and this is why we will come out on top if an event occurs.

    And of course, those coming after will be able to out-adapt us.

  • Northern Raider

    Hmmm, I understand the sentiment in SDs post, but in my experience we are all a large group of inteligent adults who share a common passion about survivalism and preparedness, but overall we are all pulling in different directions. Seeking commonality , standardisation and perhaps some common traits would greatly enhance our overall stability, but in reality…………………..

    • Dana

      I partly agree/disagree with what you are saying here NR. Let me explain …….

      Different directions: Not everyone who is ‘signed up’ to Prepping/Survivalism is an advocate for a TEOTWAWKI/WW3 scenario. Some prep for mundane things like a 3 day power cut, or a local flood or a ‘once in a lifetime Great Storm’. So though some equipment and skills would be interchangeable between all the mentioned scenarios, some would blatently not be wanted or needed. It comes down to the individuals own risk assessment of perceived scenarios, hence ‘different directions’.

      Commonality, standardisation, common traits: Now this is something that could be achieved amongst a Forum or MSG. Think NATO, in that a lot of equipment is standardised and interchangeable – For example, for our purposes – All members own/use/carry a Mora Knife, standard NATO waterbottle, Silva Explorer Compass, a standardised PFK, standard size OS maps etc etc (I know, not very good examples, but I am sure you get the drift.) I am not saying we all dress the same. However, the main problem I see with this is WHO gets to decide what equipment should be the ‘standard’ and what is the standard based on.

      regards
      Dana

      • Northern Raider

        I see your very valid point and agree with you, Vive La Difference :), But I think there is also much variation is almost every aspect of survivalism and prepping, IE the definition I just gave there some folks call themselves survivalists, others preppers, some folks hate the American connotation involving survivalism and call themselves Bush Crafters, Wilderness Survivalists etc. We in the UK dont even have any commonality among the various forums, some are free, some have fees, some are open, some have strict criteria for membership, some are invite only, some share openly and willingly without caveats others offer inducements of access if people contribute. But at least they all encourage their people to prepare for whatever issue most concerns them:). Heck we cannot even agree on a standard fuel system for our vehicles !!!! the petrol V diesel debate shows no sign of abatement . Some folks will discuss openly the practical realities of personal safety and security, others individuals and groups run away screaming at the very mention of any sort of weaponry. Heck the variation goes on and on. I prefer to think of such diversity as a positive to the community at large as it brings more options and expertise to Prepping. I do think though at some time the main forum and community owners and event organisers are going to have to sit down together and start to work out some recognisable common standards, dates and locations for us to adopt.
        Respects
        NR

        • Dana

          The main problem with ‘The Title’ is that the subjects that we cover are so numerous and diverse and are ‘Titles’ in their own right, hence why we can never really come up with a name to call ourselves. I gave this very thing some thought a year or so ago and looked to History to help give me an answer – The only thing that I could come up with was a ‘Yeoman’.

          Forum wise, we will probably never agree on a ‘standard’ and to be honest, by each forum being run in its own unique way, will attract far more and diverse people as there will be a forum catering for everyones taste (hippy to gun-nut), no matter what level, what their interests are and more importantly their level of committment.

          The one thing that is common to all the ‘Survival’ Forums is the diversity of their members in their knowledge, skills and experience, something that could/should be ‘shared or taught’ among the various Forums. There is of course a BUT to this ….. All Forums should respect the others and their respective members regardless of the way they are operated or the subjects they do or do not cover. We are a small enough ‘interest group’ as it is without in-fighting dividing us. Without acceptance of mutual respect, then never the twain shall meet.

          regards
          Dana

          • Northern Raider

            I can not disagree with any of those sentiments. At the end of the day we are just a small fraction of society bright enough to realise the only people who can help us get through the coming tribulations is ourselves.
            Cheers
            NR

            • Skean Dhude

              I agree as well but I’m not sure I would go to my grave over such a task.

              The reason we can’t agree for many things is that we are all individuals and have our own opinions. Opinions are like arseholes. Everyone has one.

              I look at it simpler. I don’t care what someones title or anything is if they want the same thing as me I will work with them on that.

              There are common projects. Nr’s standard meet up is one that most will be interested in. I have a few myself.

              The phrasemy enemies enemy is my friend is applicable in many respects. It doesn’t mean you share the same primary objective but share at least some. Although we would class ourselves as ene,ies, or I hope not, we may not share the same goals but we can help each other along the path.

  • Skean Dhude

    Ellen,

    I have a copy of Doomsday somewhere. I’ll sort it out.

    I now what you mean but the implementation has always been lagging. They can use force rather than finesse and that suits their thought process.

    It is not that we think too much it is the subjects we choose to concentrate on. Socialist projects such as monitoring and control are easier to their minds than something to improve our lot. It always has been easier to destroy than build.

    Fred,

    It is always easier to adapt to something that occurs than to plan for some unforseen event as we have all learnt.

    NR,

    Understanding Obi Two is not the same as knowing….

    Dana,

    You have the idea I am thinking of.

    You see we don’t all want or expect or plan for the same thing but we do have a lot of commonality. We all see the first steps down the path and in that we can cooperate. Beyond that we have different requirements for different things but in many cases we will have the same requirements down the paths and there again we can cooperate.

    We are already doing this when we look at bug out kits, not everyone is bugging out, and defence, not everyone wants a suppressed Glock 18 like I do. We can easily identify some common goals and team up to sort out what is the best, make our own or whatever.

    To me the issue is not if we can pull together in a team. We are already doing that. The issue is one of funding. Most project will require some financial input to produce an outcome. More will be posted on this later as I have been thinking about it a lot.

  • Northern Raider

    My dream is a prepping community with the free and unrestricted sharing of our combined and accumulated knowledge, A community of equals, a community where a newbies opinion is as equal and valid as an old timers. But I would happily go to my grave if I could see a stanardised and recognised annual RV date, time and location established in the UK, so that WHEN we lose our electronic comms for what ever reason we know that on a set date twice a year (hopefully) preppers can gather to barter, trade, talk, share, learn and chill among their fellow preppers.

  • Skean Dhude

    NR, We will never have a Utopia in real life like that. That is a socialist agenda. Elders were respected for their experience which is not a community of equals.

    However, if there is a policy of respect and younglings not thinking they know everything then the can learn. It shouldn’t be automatic.

    I think your RV date is feasable. Perhaps it is a project. I’ll assume you will keep going longer though. We need your knowledge as an elder. 🙂

  • Northern Raider

    SD the prepper community and the folks in it are far different to the type of folks who were survivalists in the 70s and 80s they have the same asperations and desires, but they are totally different types (me being polite)of people these days, far more consumerists and mercenary than they used to be. The whole community is far more commercial now than it was once upon a time and as I attempted to explain to you and BP I dont understand todays preppers or even recognise many of the drivers that motivate them, I dont think there is much place in todays preppers society for old timers:)

  • Dana

    The big difference between todays preppers to the Survivalists of the 1970/80s is that back then we had the very real threat of the Cold War heating up and the Red Army sweeping through the German Plains and of British cities being turned into glass carparks. This wasnt a theoretical ‘could happen’ scenario, it was very much a possible and probable one. There were V Bombers on readiness alert, MAD, 3 minute warning etc. Add-on the union strikes, high unemployment, IRA bombings, power cuts, fuel shortage, bread shortage, 3 day week, etc etc. Things were very different then.

    Then mid 1980/90s the UK became consumerist and wealth orientated, especially after the Berlin Wall came down and we had the START talks – the threat of nuclear war then subsided and UK Survivalism went into hibernation. A lot of ‘Survival’ skills, knowledge and experience became forgotten or rusty.

    SD makes a good point of the importance of ‘Elders’. This is the way our forefathers passed on their skills, knowledge and experience and it is something that to a certain extent has been lost. IF there ever is a major TEOTWAWKI, then we will HAVE to revert back to the way of the Elders passing on their knowledge.

  • Skean Dhude

    I agree that we are all different. Even among the different groups you identify there were factions that disagree with others. It is the human way.

    What I am saying in a very simple way is that we are all here for similar, not exactly the same, reasons. Many of us have common requirements and we can cooperate to do those tasks. Those who don’t want to get involved because they have no interest can choose not to get involved. We don’t force anyone here.

    At the moment we have a lot of untapped resource out there and it is being wasted.

  • Ellen

    Northern Raider
    I agree whole heartedly that prepping has become commercialized. In some ways it has become catagorized in the HOBBY section of the library.
    But at the same time we have to admit that we would like for it to be a free system to where one’s can exercise their ability to make money.
    I also believe that in the 50’s bomb shelter, the 70’s hippie communes and the 80’s whatever, people were still not so far removed from the generations that prep in everyday life. Such as gardening, canning,hunting,raising their own beef etc.
    Now we have all those teckies and maybe trekkies that don’t know how to do anything unless they have it on their cell phone apps.
    Even though I realize that the commercialization of prepping is awful, those before us did not have these resources.
    We also have to remember there are other reason now to prep. In the 50’s-60’s-70’s job security was a norm. Inflation hadn’t eaten your lunch for you. Even the deductables on hospital bills weren’t into the thousands of dollars.
    The thing that is most irritating to me is those that do not believe that you have to prep at all. One should do it just because. Just because some personal problem could develope. And most of all for this damn inflation.
    And those I will have no feelings for is those that don’t prep as they say they will just take what we have stored. “Not on my watch you turd!!!!
    All in all I look past the commercial part of this age of prepping. I tend to think (if the business is reliable) that they have done what I do not know how to do and makes it easy for me to get things. And it is helpful for those that are not able to do as many are.
    You also have to remember most of the differences of people yesterday and those today is they think all is owed to them.

    • Northern Raider

      I can accept, understand and justify people making a living providing goods and services designed to meet our needs such as clothing, preserved or freeze dried foods, bulk medical supplies,traditional tools and machinery, fuel preservatives, solar panels, 4x4s etc, I’ve never had a problem with that.
      My issue involves around people trying to SELL life saving knowledge and information to families and new preppers, information that was normally given freely in other places by the original authors.
      Look at my archive or SDs archive or going back a bit Nemasis’s archive, John Lockes civil defence archives etc all information collected and shared freely among our community. Then I see adverts or posts offering that same information just nicely packaged and being sold either for cash, or access being denied to it unless you are an ” approved member” of club, forum, magazine, group etc.
      I can not do anything about it but i dont have to like it.

      • Ellen

        Sorry about misinterpreting. Well we seem to be overcoming that also by reading blogs like this and either writing it down or printing it out.
        I don’t buy to many informational books or perodicals. What little I know I have learned by reading sites like survival.uk and my faovorites over here in the colonies (love using that term for the U.S.).
        Thanks for responding and letting me know what was intended.

  • Northern Raider

    Basically I just cannot stand people coming into the survivalist prepper community not to be a part of something good, noble and great, but to try and change things so they can profit from it. Traders are one thing and there intent is open for all to see, its the other empire builders or control freaks trying to use the needs of the community for their own personal gain.