24 March 2016

So Much For "Rugged Individualism"

Alaskans ... at least those of the "old-time" mentality ... are willing to adapt, improvise, and overcome whatever comes along. Unexpectedly cold? Get out heavier coats, use an extra blanket, or add more wood to the fire.

Unexpected blizzard? It's Alaska; we're disappointed when we don't have blizzards.

Grocery stores short of food? Dig into the stores you set aside for such an event.

Cell phones go off-line? Oh, wait.

"MANY CELL PHONE WITH ATT IN KETCHIKAN AK ARE NOT WORKING AND HAVE NO CELL SERVICE PLEASE FIX THIS"

"I would think a responsible company that knows text is still working would at least text an update to its customers as to when they might expect to regain service."

"just a reminder folks that in a dark emergency, there may be no cell service. a land line will probably still work, and txtg may still work. are you prepared? ooops, not me either."


Really, people? I know everyone's had a cell phone surgically grafted onto their hand, these days, but ... geez. Get over it. It's only a telephone.

Want to talk to your neighbor? (Yes, some of us still do that.) Then GO OUTSIDE and see them.

Come on, folks: we're supposed to be better than that.

6 comments:

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

I miss having blizzards. We used to have them up north in Michigan, and we always were prepared. Enough stored food, water, heat source, protection, etc..... Oh and we really didn't have phones. We would walk in the blizzard to a friends house to check on them. People in society today can't seem to live without their cell phones. Lord help them if we have an EMP.

Rev. Paul said...

It's amazing, to those of us who've been around long enough to watch, how quickly society has become dependent on our internet, cell phones, computers, and Wi-Fi. Going to be interesting, to say the least, if it all crashes to a halt.

Chickenmom said...

Only use the cell phone (the old flip kind) in an emergency. My internet service goes down ALL the time. I'm used to it. Books and a little battery operated radio are my friends.

Rev. Paul said...

Understood, Chickenmom. I purchased a solar charging panel last year, which can be used to recharge my Kindle - assuming an EMP doesn't make the Kindle useless. At the time, I was more concerned about blackouts & cutbacks due to Obama's attempt to kill the coal industry.

Unknown said...

I agree. There is a generation or two who will in panic mode when things fall apart. The death of the coal industry is here in SW IN.

Rev. Paul said...

Linda, the administration's plan for the death of coal in Alaska was averted by the courts, but it was a near thing. We're blessed to have very low sulphur coal in AK. I can only pray that the situation turns around sooner, rather than later.

And I agree that two generations will panic if the system collapses. They've never been taught self-reliance, nor how to think for themselves.