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Letter Re: Disseminating Local News and Information in a Grid-Down Societal Collapse
James:
I haven't seen much information about this, so I ask you: How do you plan on "Getting
the word out"? Once the ink/toner runs
out of your printer, what will a survivalist group do? We've nearly lost
the ability, and knowledge, to operate hand-presses. Moveable type suppliers
are
long gone, and there's precious little available on eBay. Certainly not an
entire printing press. You might find some blocks of moveable type, but not
enough to actually make an entire flyer, book, or other piece of information,
such as a book or even a Bible.
And we can't rely on the Internet running after a crash, right?
So I pose the
question to you, Sir. Have you considered this aspect of post-crash survivalism?
The printing press, and the ability to print, is a key technology
that I don't think we can afford to lose. - Brian in Austin, Texas
JWR Replies: As I described in my novel "Patriots:
Surviving the Coming Collapse", I advocate
acquiring a couple of used manual typewriters and a used hand-crank mimeograph
(stencil duplicator) machine. This is tried-and-true 1880s technology.
Because they are considered largely obsolete, mimeographs are incredibly
cheap (in fact usually free,
if you place a "wanted" ad at Craig's
List). Surprisingly, the
supplies to operate them are still available.
