If the World Ends, Do You have Any Useful Skills?

[SIXVI06-M]

As an English Literature student , i... uh, i don't know. I'm good at communication? Hmm. Could be in a bit of a pickel. I'm no good at practical tasks and i'm not a very physical person. I've been told i'm fairly insightful and perceptive though, so i might be that one guy they ask what the group should do next, or the guy who spots the can of food hidden behind a really obscure cupboard door or something. My communication skills might help in maintaining some semblance of order among a small group, though i'm not a leader by any stretch of the imagination. Since i used to shoot rifles fairly competently when i was a moment of a shooting range, i'd be useful on excursion parties or defence against raiders, bandits, mutant zombie monsters etc.

Your future is in doubt . I kid I kid. Simple typo XD Thought I'd let you know since that might be something you won't get away with in an essay.


Anyways, back to OP. I'm actually a decent navigator and I scored full marks for outdoor survival and orienteering exams during a particularly special part of my high-school curriculum. Give me a compass (or a magnet, a bit of foam to sit it on and a bowl/cup of any fluid). My theory was spot on, the practice needs a little more practice , but I'm quite confident that I can get people where they actually want to go where there are no road-signs, roads or any particular urban markers.

I'm also relatively strong, agile and fit and I'd say I'm good with survival and dealing with conflict.

That and I am very diplomatic and I enjoy talking things out and would prefer to resort to violence and conflict last. I'm also quite picky about the company I keep as I am a decent judge of character. Generally, I like to assume the best of people, but when it comes to the crunch, I'd rather keep people around that I can depend on and trust, that I can be transparent to, and they would do the same.

 

[Odbarc]

I'm very effective at repopulating the world.

 

[Korolev]

I have some medical knowledge and I know a lot about diseases and the human immune system. I couldn't actually do any surgery but I could help manage a quarantine and advise people on basic hygiene. I could be a great research assistant to any one who wanted to start up science again.

In the immediate aftermath of an apocalyptic scenario I wouldn't be of much use. But when society starts to reform, providing I'm still alive, then I'll be of use.

 

[That's Funny]

I'm a snarky git. Will that stop the cannibals from chewing my arm off?

 

[BrailleOperatic]

I'm a trained electrician. Does that count as a useful skill, you silly people sitting in the dark and cold?

 

[SIXVI06-M]

I'm a trained electrician. Does that count as a useful skill, you silly people sitting in the dark and cold?

It's called fire.

Regardless - there will be a lot of discarded electronics and components around - so I'm sure an electrician is plenty useful; provided there is enough power sources to run them.

Lets hope we have a surge in the production of solar panels before the apocalypse happens - so we at least have renewable energy as opposed to needing a power plant.

 

[Sprinal]

I Know how to make Booze. I also know how to administer first aid. I know enough about Chemistry to be able to purify metals as well as recycle ruined metal. Also I think I could get engines running on homemade fuel.
I know how to purify water (from radiation and such). I am okay with a gun (and as I live down under where fire arms are hard to get your hands on). I know some vage ideas about farming.

Hunting I am useless at but I am okay with a knife.

I think I may be okay...If I am not killed at the first opurtunity afterwards...

 

[Sparkytheyetti]

Ive got a couple survival books, a bail out bag, and some guns. Decent shot too. I could work best best in a 3 or 4 man team well.

 

[Yegargeburble]

I'm not bad with a gun, and I can build shelter. Both very useful things to know.

I also know when meat is cooked long enough to be safe for consumption.

 

[Dastardly]

I know that could be phrased better, but who cares?

Anyway, let's say the world does sort of end next year. Nothing comletely life destroying, but maybe some kind of catastrophic event that totally breaks society and ruins any government. Do you have any skills that could be useful in such an event? If so, what are they?

Also, hooray! My 1000 post!

EDIT: Silly me, I forgot to list some of my own skills. I have a fair amount of survival knowledge, and I am good at making things. I am currently teaching myself blacksmithing and metalworking, and I can do basic electronics.

I'm a musician and teacher. Under-appreciated skills, but universally necessary. Good teachers have a deep understanding of how other people thin, learn, and are motivated (and honestly, most people don't realize that they don't really understand this themselves) which helps to keep things organized and get people who aren't ready to become ready.

Music is omnipresent in human culture. Show me the poorest, most starving and disease-ridden nation in the world, and I'll show you that they may not have water or potatoes, but they still have music.

 

[Captain Booyah]

You know, I've often thought about this ever since I first played Fallout 3, and the answer: I am utterly fucked. I'm not very strong and have no combat skills, so I can't fight or really construct anything meaningful. I know my science well enough, but not enough to actually invent anything, and even if I did, I wouldn't have the technical knowhow to make it a reality. I don't really have any medical or cooking skills, either. And I can't imagine anybody is going to be fussed about art or writing anymore, unless they rely on me as their sole form of escapism.

...Society is going to leave me for the super mutants, isn't it? Goddamn.

 

[dfphetteplace]

I enjoy survivalist camping, so I know how to do that shit. I have experience in local government, so I know how to lead. I'm a paramedic, so I know medicine. I'm good with weapons, so I can get food and defend the tribe. Not sure if any of my firefighter skills would be helpful, though.

 

[AstylahAthrys]

I can repair technology and clothes, cook over a fire, take care of sprains and fractures, and I have a uterus I will rent out to repopulate the Earth.

 

[Darwins_Folly]

You know, it looks like just in this forum there's the making of a fairly stable community. I'm pretty sure if we started an Escapist town, we'd all survive.

 

[OutforEC]

Three years as a combat medic, a year in Korea as a driver, and then eight years in a cold-weather SF unit in Colorado has prepared me for nearly any eventuality, but honestly I'd almost prefer death over pulling out and dusting off my training. Me and the outdoors have an agreement; I leave it alone and it leaves me alone.

 

[Extragorey]

I know a decent bit about guns. And I'm a bit of a jack-of-all trades. Still better with my head than my hands, though.

 

[jboking]

I know how to make a fire with just flint, steel, and whats in the environment. I know how to trap and hunt. I know how to skin, gut, and cook deer, fish, and rabbits. I'm not bad with a rifle. I know how to survive in cold weather without proper equipment.

I could be kind of valuable.

 

[Laser Priest]

Hi! Hello! I'm a motherfucking Necromancer.

You remember all of those people that just died? They work for me now.

 

[TheLoneBeet]

I can cook. Super useful in my opinion. I'm also fairly good with a gun (I own a few) and I'm pretty resourceful. Generally speaking if Plan A doesn't work I'm really good at coming up with a Plan B on the spot. Also, I'm pretty decent at being sneaky, and own some sets of camouflage clothes. I think that'd be useful.

 

[jboking]

I know how to make booze.

You. You we must protect at all costs.