Ten Skills to Master by the End of the World 12/21/12

December 21, 2012 is less than two and a half years from now. Some say that this could be the end of the world due to certain prophecies fortold by the Mayans, the i Ching, and an Oracle at Delphi. Regardless of whether you buy in to the conspiracy theories or end of days armageddon doomsday theories, more than likely it will be impossible for the media to quell a quasi-panic similar to that of the Y2K scare. Unfortunately, if the end of the world doesn't happen, we may have to deal with panic on the streets, rioting, looting, raping, pillaging and god only knows what other kind of atrocities freaked out suburbanites may commit.

In the next two and a half years, what do you plan to do to prepare yourself for what could happen? Do you have the skills that it's going to take to survive in a chaotic cataclysmic world?  Think computer programming skills going to get you through a magnetic pole reversal? Think again. Think trading on wall street is going to be a skill needed when the aliens invade and destroy? Think again. The following are examples of the areas you will want to gain expertise in, the people you will want to emulate, and the things you will need to invest in if you plan on fighting for the future.

10)Survival Skills
First and foremost, basic survival skills are a must. Everything from building a sill and turning your urine into water, to the proper way to amputate your own arm if the occassion occurs. Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild anarchic unknown?

One man comes to mind when it comes to being prepared for survival. Survivor Man.

Watch and learn...

Where to get training:
http://www.primitiveskills.com/
Alderleaf Wilderness College
Earth Connection School of Wilderness

Recommended reading:
http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/wilderness-survival-blog.html
http://blog.wildernessawareness.org/
http://www.muddywaterpress.com/linkspage.html 


9)Hunting and Weaponry
In times of a crisis, eating is imperative to sustaining onself. Even PETA members have the survival gene inside of them, and if hungry enough, may need to hunt to save themselves. Regardless on your view of killing, meat=eat, and nothing says hunting and guns like Ted Nugent.

Where to get training:
http://www.royaltine.com
http://home.nra.org

Recommended reading:
www.huntinglife.com
www.buckhuntersblog.com
http://californiahuntingtoday.com/hogblog/ 
http://growthehunt.typepad.com/grow_the_hunt/small-game-hunting/ 
http://www.huntingcircle.com/blog.html

8)Building things
One of the most amazing things about building stuff is the feeling of accomplishment once you have finished. Being a MacGuyver isn't always an inherent skill. More often than not it requires a lot of tinkering and a lot of failure, and ultimately a lot of success.

Where to get training:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
http://www.sinlung.com/education/free-open-course-classes-to-learn-how-t...

Recommended reading:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/ 

7)First Aid
So maybe blood grosses you out, but what are you going to do if you or someone close to you is in desperate need of basic medical attention, and you don't know how to provide it? If Kate could stitch Jack up after surviving a plane crash and watching people perish ala Lost, you can do it too!

Recommended reading:
http://www.procprblog.com/ 
http://onlinefirstaid.org/ 

6)Camping
One thing tells me that Paris Hilton and Heidi and Spencer wouldn't survive a minute after a calamity. I have a hard time believing those type of people could rough it off the grid and camp under undesirable circumstances. Camping may be fun and games for kids, but if you have to flee your home and protect yourself out in mother nature, make sure you're prepared....not only with the correct gear, but with all the mad camping skills you can muster.

Recommended reading:
http://scoutmaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/camping_skills/ 
http://mungobah.blogspot.com/
http://ronsprimitiveskills.blogspot.com/ 

5)Gardening
Now that times are tough in this economy, food is getting expensive. If the world comes to an end and everyone is fending for themselves, think about how important you could be to your community if you were the gardening expert. Planting seeds and harvesting isn't a difficult job, if you have the knowhow and basic information on how to get the job done. Just ask Michelle Obama!

Then take a look at Garden Rant, a really interesting blog that seems to be trying to create a paradigm shift and changing people's perceptions of planting, Tiny Farm Blog, and

Recommended reading:
http://www.gardenrant.com/
http://tinyfarmblog.com/
http://sacgardening.blogspot.com/

4)Cooking
Not only are cooking skills great for keeping you alive in a crisis, but they'll come in handy when you can entertain your enemies with a good dish of delectable food. It's pretty easy nowadays to get some easy cooking training. Just turn your TV on to Food Network or Bravo. While foodies may be living the high life now, when electricity fails, you'll have to fall back on the cooking skills you learned from camping. Until then, here's some reading to satisfy your appetite.

Recommended reading:
http://rasamalaysia.com/
http://www.winosandfoodies.typepad.com/

3)Swimming
Apparently there's this theory out there called "global warming" and it proposes that humans are causing the temperature of the Earth to rise. If that happens, it is a possibility that the sea levels will rise and people living in the midwest could have ocean front property. Now, it may not become Waterworld, but swimming may play a vital role in survival in the future. Maybe Michael Phelps won't be able to give you private lessons, but learning how to swim could be the best thing to do this year.

Recommended reading:
http://scaq.blogspot.com/
http://cyboc.blogspot.com/2006/03/swimming-blogs-good-bad-an_11426268599...
http://www.robaquatics.com/

2)Bartering
You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Quid pro quo. Call it what you will, bartering is one of the oldest tricks in the book to get what you want cheaply and efficiently. Whether you're a good cook (see skill number 4) or gardener (skill 5), or maybe you can build someone a new lean-to. Whatever your skill may be, someone out there needs it, and may have something to trade you. Now, gone will be the days of bartering your PSP for a new Wii game. No, now you will be bartering hours of hard labor for a few measly beans. I'd learn some skills....quick! ..and I don't mean web design.

Want to start bartering with your current company? www.bizx.com

Recommended reading:
http://gyst-ink.com/blog/?p=383
http://blogdesignernews.com/bartering-to-grow-your-business/
http://www.baggaonbarter.com/
http://www.smarterideas.com/bartercoach/

1)Procreating
You got it! The most important skill for survival into and beyond the 21st century is procreation. You have to get good at finding a mate and making babies. Otherwise we are doomed for extinction. Sure, it'll be a lot easier to hook up with someone when Rapture has happened.... the odds will be good you'll find someone left behind for you. I mean, think of the pickup line possibilities "Hey Baby, want to help me carry on the human race?".... priceless.

Where to get training: your local pub.

Recommended reading:
http://blogs.personallifemedia.com/sex-tantra-kama-sutra/
http://lesbiankamasutra.blogspot.com/
http://davidbdale.wordpress.com/2006/12/02/kama-sutra-for-beginners/