Celebrate Petrov day as if the button had been pressed

[Flying buttress]

Tomorrow (September 26th, Friday) is Petrov day, the day when nuclear war did not start in 1983.

From provoking existential terror

Raemon in Meetup Month has a great overview of classic rationalist celebration^[1] that goes over the history of humanity potentially culminating in red button being pressed.

To increasing chances of survival

Personally in 2025 I don’t feel lack of existential terror, so I will be celebrating Petrov’s day as if the button had been pressed. Some suggestions:^[2]

• Simulate nuclear detonation in the place where you live

• Figure out what would be the safest place in your home to hide^[3]

• Turn on your battery-powered or dynamo radio to listen to official instructions^[4]

• Review nuclear preparedness guide and official local disaster preparedness instructions

• Make a meal from the ingridients you have at home^[5]

  • Bonus points for using only non-perishable food^[6]

  • Bonus points for using water from your stash of 3 liters of water^[7] per person per day^[8] or purified water

  • Bonus points for not using electricity (e.g. to boil water)

  • Bonus points for boiling water (e.g. on gas stove)

  • Bonus points for making a meal you actually like^[9]

  • You are allowed to cheat and stock up your pantry and water today

• Acquire portable power station for home backup

• Plan a nice camping trip

  • This is one of less dread-inducing ways to get durable gear (clothes, shoes, backpacks, etc)

• Gift your loved ones some jewellery to trade for food

• Put on a show: being able to entertain yourself and others will be good for moral^[10]

Share your pre-post-nuclear/​disaster celebration ideas in the comments!^[11]

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1. ↩︎

   Complete with 35 page booklet and Amazon candle & candle holders recs

2. ↩︎

   I hate thinking about this stuff but I think it is useful and making it a holiday celebration a) gives it a deadline (no pun intended) b) makes it fun enough for me to overcome the dread

3. ↩︎

   Basement, or room separated from the outside by as many walls as possible, avoid windows

4. ↩︎

   Get one now

5. ↩︎

   Remember those good old early COVID lockdowns! I think there was a hashtag…

6. ↩︎

   Although I guess eating as many of frozen items (before they go bad without electricity) is useful practice too?

7. ↩︎

   100 oz

8. ↩︎

   That you will replenish afterwards

9. ↩︎

   I hope you like beans

10. ↩︎

    I plan to lean into my natural flexibility and attempt contortionism. Juggling, card tricks, and ventriloquism are also solid options.

11. ↩︎

    I am taking my family to a submarine (in a museum) so we can play-pretend Vasili Arkhipov.