Community Survival: A Strategy for Apocalypse There is a large and growing potential for global societal breakdown and a descent into chaos — Apocalypse, in a word. It might be triggered by economic meltdown, warfare, environmental collapse, or a great natural disaster, or by some combination of these or other factors. It might come on suddenly, or gradually. Or it might not happen at all. I believe it is likely to happen, and may even need to happen to preserve the Earth as a home for humanity. (I have more to say about that here.) Whether or not Apocalypse is to be our fate, prudence and preparation are indicated. If no one prepares, it may be that no one survives. But conversely, if only a few people prepare, it may be that they can help many to survive. My central premise here is that, in a situation of escalating chaos, the emphasis will need to be on community, rather than merely personal, survival, and that without community cohesion personal survival will be far less likely and less meaningful, if it is even possible. In difficult times people pull together, and altruism tends to triumph over selfishness. However, we have never faced a situation that is as global in scope and so potentially overwhelming as our current predicament. Most people don't (and don't want to) see it coming, will not comprehend it when it does, and will not have prepared. It is up to we few people who have our eyes open and wits about us, to prepare as best we can, both materially and spiritually, and to help our families, friends, and neighbors find the way through. (If you've already gotten off the fence and on the bus, if you're singing lustily in the choir and don't need me to teach you the words, then you may want to skip the sections about what an Apocalypse is and what it might be good for, and go straight to the sections about how to live through one, starting with What Is a Viable Community?) Charley Sweet (charley@worldux.com) Next: Apocalypse Soon?