The Latest Superbug: Candida auris Candida auris is a fungus spreading across the United States. This "superbug" is drug-resistant, making it incredibly difficult to treat with common anti-fungal medications. Candida auris typically only afflicts those with compromised immune systems, so most of us don't need to worry. That said, Candida auris is just the latest of many superbugs that are emerging as threats to our livelihoods. In fact, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in partnership with the UK, have committed $52 million to fight superbugs. Their contribution to medical research will support the development of antibiotics and vaccines that superbugs haven't yet grown resist...
Why the Next Generation is More Vulnerable to SHTF Events
Unprepared and Vulnerable What a time to be alive. Never before in history have our needs and desires been satisfied with such ease. We can hail taxis with a few clicks of our phones and purchase products without leaving our beds. These modern luxuries, though, have made many of their beneficiaries unprepared for disastrous events. The number of potential disasters is growing, as background risks like geopolitical tensions and climate change move increasingly into the foreground. Unfortunately, the survival skills needed to escape or endure a disaster are in short supply. This leaves the next generation both unprepared and vulnerable. In a previous post, I reviewed The Codd...
Russia’s Doomsday Machine: What You Need to Know
Tensions Escalate Russia has been in the news a lot lately. The fallout from Russia's manipulation of the 2016 presidential election has yet to reach its conclusion. While the presidential administration's policy towards Russia appears forgiving, members of Congress are in favor of passing sanctions on Russia. The sanctions could severely hurt Russia's economy, as the oil, cyber, and banking sectors would all be targeted. In addition to their election meddling using Facebook, Russia's continued aggression towards the Ukraine concerns US politicians. The oligarchy is threatening the Ukraine's sovereignty. The annexation of the Crimean peninsula seems to have just been the begin...
How to Rebuild After SHTF
Life After the SHTF EventIt happened. Sh*t finally did hit the fan. Now what? Most of the posts on Bunker Basics are related to preparation for a SHTF event. I've highlighted how we could anticipate threats to our security and what we need to do to insure against them. That said, I haven't yet covered what we would happen if one of those worst case scenarios actually occurs. Life as we know it will end and a new world order will emerge. What type of order will be established and what will our roles be? To better understand what life would be like, we can take a look at our past. Smaller CommunitiesIf SHTF, we can assume many of the technological advances we've achieved...
How to Prepare for Black Swan Events
What is a Black Swan Event? In the 19th century, John Stuart Mill described seemingly impossible events that may one day be proven true as Black Swans. In the Western world, all swans were thought to be white until, in 1697, a dutch explorer spotted black swans on the shore of the Swan River in Australia. This story shines a light on how little we can truly say is true. A consequential black swan event, the 2008 financial crisis, was said to be impossible. Nevertheless, a confluence of factors led to the financial crisis, most notably an opaque financial system. Millions of people were unprepared. Some had mortgages they couldn't afford and, as a result, lost their homes...