What is your post-apocalyptic occupation?

[forinborin]

AIBU to ask you what your post-apocalyptic occupation would be?

With all the recent news about the shortage of skilled workers - HGV drivers, farm labourers, and today there are news about an emergency visa scheme considered for abattoir workers, I started wondering what would I do if the modern society suddenly fell back into - well, not Dark Ages exactly - but, say, mid-late 19th century ways of living.

And realised that I actually have very little in terms of real-life tradeable skills. In a world without computers, my other skills are worth zero to the community, and I would probably immediately fall to the bottom of the newly established social order.

What about you?

Have we had a metallurgist or smith appear yet?? I've seen medieval history programs about making simple forges to recycle scraps of iron. For some unknown reason my dh is curiously reluctant to allow me to experiment in this area, especially anywhere near him, the kids, the house and anything remotely flammable. "Anywhere near" meaning within 10 miles or so.

If you have read Station Eleven you will know that what we will really need after the apocalypse is Shakespeare

I studied far too much Shakespeare at university. Hated it. There's no fucking way I'm going to watch it post-Apocolypse, thank you very much.

With almost no practical skills (I can kill, pluck, gut and cook a chicken if I must ) and being past child bearing age - my most likely fate is the makings of a good meal - after all they'll have to eat SOMETHING to survive!

@PickUpAPepper

My DH is a geologist with an MSc in Mineral Exploration

@PickUpAPepper

Have we had a metallurgist or smith appear yet?? I've seen medieval history programs about making simple forges to recycle scraps of iron. For some unknown reason my dh is curiously reluctant to allow me to experiment in this area, especially anywhere near him, the kids, the house and anything remotely flammable. "Anywhere near" meaning within 10 miles or so.

Now I'm annoyed I didn't date the hot hydrologist I knew in my 20s.

Who knew I'd need him for MN Apocalypse Top Trumps years later?

@peaceanddove

If you have read Station Eleven you will know that what we will really need after the apocalypse is Shakespeare

I studied far too much Shakespeare at university. Hated it. There's no fucking way I'm going to watch it post-Apocolypse, thank you very much.

The person who wrote Station Eleven had NO IDEA about deer stalking. Her bods went out with a pistol and no dogs. Now, you can stalk without a dog, and a lot of people do, but they're useful if a deer is injured and runs. And if you use a pistol you will very likely not kill it, and will really need a dog as it bolts over the horizon. The usual advice, if you plan to kill anything sizeable in the venison department, is to take a nice big rifle, like a .308, and have a decent aim.

So I wouldn't use it as a reference point.

But speaking of which, I know six blokes who stalk. Most of them are in the skilled trades, and would be very useful.

@PickUpAPepper

Have we had a metallurgist or smith appear yet?? I've seen medieval history programs about making simple forges to recycle scraps of iron. For some unknown reason my dh is curiously reluctant to allow me to experiment in this area, especially anywhere near him, the kids, the house and anything remotely flammable. "Anywhere near" meaning within 10 miles or so.

I double dare you to make a sword in the children's sand pit.

You don't want to start with a sword, they need a lot of tempering, beating and folding for strength and flexibility. Start with an axe head and work up from there.

I think when I first joined MN I was looking for a different sort of advice than, 'start with an axe head'

Grow veg, first aid, ensure the 'law' is upheld, organise everyone- l'm good at organising.

Without contact lenses or my RA meds I'll be a sitting (hobbling) duck for the zombies. Which is fine by me - I've always said I don't much fancy life in the raggle taggle survivalist era anyway. No hot baths, no thanks. So I'll offer myself up as a slightly gnarled decoy so all the useful people can get a head start.

@Thecazelets - I'll sit by you with my rubbish antique sword & my bursitis ) ha ha We shall go out together and let the others get away.

Lovely to see vets on board

I am a hobbyist blacksmith with my own forges & tools (have made tools, knives, axes, spears & swords), have a background in toxicology, am a pretty good shot and have quite a lot of experience in backwoodsmanship.

Got quite a large stash of books and kit

Hooker.
Oldest profession innit😁

I would teach people how to - get clean water, connect solar panels to appliances, weave, carve wood, build a shelter, preserve meats. I love that type of thing- always on Howdini learning new stuff. Love this thread too!

Not look out. If you were depending on me to be on watch it would all go wrong. I get distracted really easily and also fall asleep really quickly every time I sit down day or night.

@Lactarius

I am a hobbyist blacksmith with my own forges & tools (have made tools, knives, axes, spears & swords), have a background in toxicology, am a pretty good shot and have quite a lot of experience in backwoodsmanship.

Got quite a large stash of books and kit

Friend. Have some nice fresh raspberries.

My dh is now removing the sandpit.

I can sew and (probably more importantly) mend, though I can't do much with a busted zip. We'll have to go back to buttons.

I spent a lot of my teenage and young adult life looking after small children (though my job doesn't involve that now) so I could also run the creche. I actually thought at one point "what would I do if I developed some disease that meant I couldn't reason/do academic work" (I suspect this was during my PhD!) and thought I'd go back to that.

Without contact lenses or my RA meds I'll be a sitting (hobbling) duck for the zombies
I would just wear my glasses though I might be felled down by a passing virus (even just the common cold) as I often need 2 or 3 doses of antibiotics for a post viral chest infection.

I can knit, sew and crochet and am fairly ok at camping type things such as fires and tents. And I am remarkably good at entertaining small children and can see myself being the village elder woman/witch.

However I personally feel that my true strength lies in defence as I have a lot of rage and good knowledge of hand to hand combat! But my secret weapon is DH - he is a builder/plumber and a dab hand at fixing vehicles. However he does struggle to focus so you would need me if you wanted any jobs finished!

Do we get to bring children with us? DD is too little atm to be useful but I reckon if you wait a few years she will be a very good Xena type warrior?

This thread has made me realise I am useless, have nothing to offer so would have to take myself off "Im just going outside, I may be some time "

@thereisonlyoneofme

This thread has made me realise I am useless, have nothing to offer so would have to take myself off "Im just going outside, I may be some time "

Smell the flowers thereisonlyoneofme, thats right, just smell the flowers

@thereisonlyoneofme

This thread has made me realise I am useless, have nothing to offer so would have to take myself off "Im just going outside, I may be some time "

You can be the character who starts off apparently helpless and worried about breaking a nail and ends up a total hero socking it to the zombies.

Congratulations on getting the best character arc in the whole show

@SinoohXaenaHide

I shall be the village matriarch/elder/wisewoman/witch and shall command fear and respect from all. Because frankly there won't be a lot of call for database analytics if there isn't electricity any more.

you'll have to first fight me for this role!