There is another type of disaster that is not mentioned: war.
Not nuclear war, but more or less “ordinary”, or civil war.
I think, that most of those who read Less Wrong believe that civil war or neighboring country invasion is highly improbable for their countries, and that the chances of a nuclear strike are even higher.
I live in Eastern Ukraine, and when in 2014 the war began, it was a complete surprise and shock for everyone.
I live in the region adjacent to those where military operations are ongoing, and in 2014-2015 the question of preparing for some kind of emergency actions in case the war reaches us has become practical, not theoretical. My own plans (fortunately, the need to implement them did not arise) and communication with refugees showed that the most important are:
Car (old and reliable, because a new one will be confiscated) and gasoline supply
cash
friends or relatives (with whom you have a good relationship) who live in other cities or countries and are ready to help you start living in a new place
warm clothes for the whole family.
“alarm package” with documents and medicines.
And it is extremely important:
surround yourself with attentive, adequate and strong people. My first plan included a series of arrangements with friends who were also involved in martial arts. (In fact, all the agreements and the Plan began as a strategic game about what to do if zombies attack we played several years before.)
do not become attached: to home, things and work. Do not buy real estate as main investment in your future.
I’m curious about two things related to Julija’s comment here—not about what she said but what those reading it actually did. It is clearly the most highly voted contribution but does that mean anyone up-voting the comment really updated their own view, priors or plans?
“When in 2014 the war began, it was a complete surprise and shock for everyone” is the most interesting part to me. People often think variants of “it couldn’t happen here” or “we would have plenty of warning”.
There is another type of disaster that is not mentioned: war.
Not nuclear war, but more or less “ordinary”, or civil war.
I think, that most of those who read Less Wrong believe that civil war or neighboring country invasion is highly improbable for their countries, and that the chances of a nuclear strike are even higher.
I live in Eastern Ukraine, and when in 2014 the war began, it was a complete surprise and shock for everyone.
I live in the region adjacent to those where military operations are ongoing, and in 2014-2015 the question of preparing for some kind of emergency actions in case the war reaches us has become practical, not theoretical. My own plans (fortunately, the need to implement them did not arise) and communication with refugees showed that the most important are:
Car (old and reliable, because a new one will be confiscated) and gasoline supply
cash
friends or relatives (with whom you have a good relationship) who live in other cities or countries and are ready to help you start living in a new place
warm clothes for the whole family.
“alarm package” with documents and medicines.
And it is extremely important:
surround yourself with attentive, adequate and strong people. My first plan included a series of arrangements with friends who were also involved in martial arts. (In fact, all the agreements and the Plan began as a strategic game about what to do if zombies attack we played several years before.)
do not become attached: to home, things and work. Do not buy real estate as main investment in your future.
I’m curious about two things related to Julija’s comment here—not about what she said but what those reading it actually did. It is clearly the most highly voted contribution but does that mean anyone up-voting the comment really updated their own view, priors or plans?
If so, in what sense did you update. If not, why?
“When in 2014 the war began, it was a complete surprise and shock for everyone” is the most interesting part to me. People often think variants of “it couldn’t happen here” or “we would have plenty of warning”.