I just finished Neil Strauss’ book ‘Emergency’. It’s about how Neil (Style) decides to learn the skills necessary to survive if the worst happens e.g. there is a major catastrophe. He learns to live in the wild, how to evade followers, pick locks, shoot properly, plan an escape to a safe location etc. The book was a great read and I enjoyed it even more than ‘The Game’, for some reason. Perhaps this was because I knew the people and techniques in ‘The Game’, pretty well whereas ‘Emergency’, provided more of a learning experience.
I’ve looked into some of the ideas Neil writes about over the years. Years ago, I bought lock picks and trained myself in using them. I got a 2nd passport for my mother, partly in the knowledge that it might make it easier for me to get a 2nd passport too. I’ve thought about escape locations and have some in mind. Do governments let people travel during an all out war? What was the situation during World War 2? Did people need special permission to leave the country or could anyone just get onto a boat and sail to the Americas or Iceland?
In terms of money, I’ve diversified where I keep my money. In the event of a (more serious) financial meltdown I have a plan B but admit I could do more in this area. It certainly would be useful to get the kind of training Neil writes about, especially the outdoor training. In a city, I think I could take care of myself to a certain extent – I can fight having trained in judo and karate. At school almost no one messed with me. Likewise, when it comes to persuasion I think I could talk people into helping to some extent but these skills will only go so far when a real emergency strikes.
Are there courses in Europe which teach the skills Neil writes about? Even if one learned only some of the skills mentioned in ‘Emergency’, one would be far more prepared for eventualities. And apart from that, being able to handle yourself, survive and protect people is damn cool and does wonders for your self-reliance and state.
I’m reminded of the Tough Guy Challenge I sometimes put myself through (see earlier posts). It’s good for city based social engineering training. What I need is a similar challenge for the outdoors to learn to handle nature.
Neil if you are reading this, drop me a line and we’ll hang out in the Lake District in November. No tents allowed.
Still waiting for Barry Kirkey to reschedule – he had to work the night of our planned interview.