"What if you were in a lifeboat?"

This is not a theoretical challenge. We are in a lifeboat, a really large lifeboat.

Ayn Rand's answer was that lifeboats don't count because they are temporary emergencies. She defined "emergency" as a condition in which life is metaphysically impossible: flood, fire, etc.

The first encampments to use fire probably seemed a lot like hell to those who knew only forest fires. Water is somewhat less challenging and we know of lake-dwellers who successfully live in an environment that most people could not.

Earth is surrounded by an environment in which life (as we know it) is metaphysically impossible.

In Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In Fisher and Ury use the lifeboat as an example of how people can and must recognize that they have the same interests, despite apparent differences.

What if you were in a lifeboat and...?

If I were in a lifeboat, I would use all of my ability to work for my own survival. I would identify myself to everyone, to explain what I can do for them and I would find out about them to learn what they can do. I would inventory the available resources, both to see how far they can be stretched, but more importantly to see what else can be made from them or with them. Lifeboats today come with lots of resources -- batteries that work on salt water, fishing line, etc., etc. In fact, I would not ever ever ever be on any ship without my own resources. In fact, in just about every coat or jacket I own, I have a bar of soap, a pocket knife, and a cigarette lighter. Being Red Cross certified in First Aid and Adult CPR, I keep a variety of other kits in other contexts -- bandaids and flashlight in my briefcase, etc. But that is just who I am. In a recent final presentation for a seminar class, I had the slideshow on a thumbdrive and I had emailed to myself at that sever, and I also had handouts for just in case. So, I am always prepared. And I pretty much go through life trying to make myself useful to others.

I am always perplexed when I consider the crews of Columbus reduced to boiling their shoes. Were they not out in the middle of an ocean full of fish? All I can figure is that centuries of division of labor made them sailors, no longer fishermen.

What if you were in a lifeboat and...?

Post 1

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - 11:17am

Interesting observation. I, too, used to carry all manner of surival materials with me - but now, in light of 9/11, how able are you to carrying these impliments - for sure cannot on airlines, at least openly and useably, and is becoming the same with buses [tho still sporatically].

Post 2

Tuesday, January 2, 2007 - 10:50pm

but now, in light of 9/11, how able are you to carrying these impliments

Well, they took my P-38 away -- I mean the can opener, not the Walther -- last time I flew. But I was speaking of being on the street in daily life. A few years back, I was standing around with some other guards and this came up and one supervisor said, "You guys are not going to be caught out in the desert. If something happens, you're going to be in an elevator." He pulled out 6-inch cat's paw pry bar. Purrr-fect! I was impressed. So, after that, I was less concerned with being able to trap a rabbit and more concerned with not getting trapped in a building.

Once, while flying, I met my CFI for a night flight lesson and the airport was locked and we could not get the keys for the plane. I realized that if we had flown in -- or were forced in -- we would be out a small town in South Nowhere, Ohio, with no resources. So, I always fly with money, energy bars, phone card, playing cards, a bunch of stuff.

In fact, a few years ago, the company I worked for sponsored a series of management team building exercises and among the last was a survival scenario. There were 30+ of us in 5 or 6 teams. You are coming home from vacation over the Caribbean and you crash land in a storm. The pilot is killed. Here is a list of things you find on the plane. You all have to come out alive. What do you do? I won't go into the dumb answers. At the end of it, we got the right answers from some US Army Rangers. From then on, I always carried the lighter and the knife.

But, again, to stay on topic here, it is because I assume responsibility for my circumstances. If caught in a lifeboat, I would do everything in my power to help and that means to help everyone else to be valuable, too.

Post 3

Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 8:10am

We are in a lifeboat, a really large lifeboat

Indeed. And it is a disturbingly precarious one to boot. Humanity needs to spread out among multiple lifeboats to survive any of the numerous civilization and possibly life destroying disasters that threaten it's existence.

Discover Magazine � Fate of the World � 20 ways the world could end http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-00/features/featworld/

This is why I am an adament support of the Lifeboat Foundation

The Lifeboat Foundation is a nonprofit nongovernmental organization dedicated to encouraging scientific advancements while helping humanity survive existential risks and possible misuse of increasingly powerful technologies, including genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and robotics/AI, as we move towards a technological singularity.

Lifeboat Foundation is pursuing a variety of options, including helping to accelerate the development of technologies to defend humanity, including new methods to combat viruses (such as RNA interference and new vaccine methods), effective nanotechnological defensive strategies, and even self-sustaining space colonies in case the other defensive strategies fail.

If I were in a lifeboat, I would use all of my ability to work for my own survival. I would identify myself to everyone, to explain what I can do for them and I would find out about them to learn what they can do. I would inventory the available resources, both to see how far they can be stretched, but more importantly to see what else can be made from them or with them. Lifeboats today come with lots of resources -- batteries that work on salt water, fishing line, etc., etc

You *ARE* in a lifeboat *NOW* What are you doing to ensure it's survival, and yours?

Post 4

Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 1:08pm

Boy! Am I glad I read (and digested) The Boy Scout's Handbook. Never forgot their bromide: "Be prepared" (nowadays, that means to the extent that you're allowed to.)

Also, glad I been keeping up on the TV-series Lost.

LLAP
J:D

Post 5

Friday, January 5, 2007 - 9:16pm

Slightly off topic.

Imagine if the Zionists saw not the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, but Mars as the promised land? What if the Catholic Church was investing its weekly take in colonizing the stars, rather than paying off lawsuits? What if Egoists could agree on anything of substance for more than a few years?

At this point, I expect the first, if any, off planet colony will speak Chinese.

Slightly off topic.

Ted

Post 6

Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 10:36am

Ted, I think YOU might as well be speaking Chinese.

Post 7

Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 6:31pm

Well Gosh, Jon, did you miss post three? I'll betcha mister Dickey understood me.

Do ya need me tah put it in context for yah? Aw, shucks. Shame there ain't no hostile post here for yah tah sanction, yah had tah go tah all thah trouble o' akshually postin' tah insult me. I'm flattered by thah effort yah made, pal.

Post 8

Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 10:04pm

Ted, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell is a science fiction novel set in the near future. A signal from another planet is interpreted as music. While the U.N. is debating what to do, the Jesuits launch a mission. They finance it from their own resources.

Finally back home from his horrific ordeal, the missionary is reminded, "The Lord knows when the sparrow falls from the tree." The missionary replies, "Nonetheless, the sparrow falls."

It's quite a book. Highly recommended.

Post 9

Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 10:59pm

Well, God bless you Michael. I'll put that in my basket right now. I went to the Columbia University Bookstore Saturday & Sunday. I Bought GKChesterton, Mortimer Adler, Oliver Sacks. The next day I asked for Henry's book on Aspasia, they said the could order it. I asked for Jane Jacobs on anything, they said they could order it, I asked for Julian Jaynes Bicameral Mind, they said they'd order it. I asked for Weber's Sacra Biblia Vulgata, they said theyd order it. The clerc was behind stacks, sitting on boxes, surrounded by shelves. I asked, so are there any titles you actually do have in stock? He shrugged and spread his arms. I said "But I mean titles I haven't already read..."

Regarding your survival kit: I had my father show me how to hotwire a car. I had considered buying a street gun. I carry much of what you do, as well as dark chocolate, coffee, nuts, and especially valium, morphine, atropine, cipro and alcohol. I also carry a complete shakespeare and a multilanguage phrasebook. That was fun telling a panicked Japanese man on the Princeton bound train that he had the right train. I said "You princeton to is? I Princeton to is." His relief was dramatic, and he started chattering. I said "forgive, I foreign devil is." He laughed and sat down.

Post 10

Monday, January 8, 2007 - 7:47am

I also carry a complete shakespeare and a multilanguage phrasebook.

I will not buy this record, it is scratched...

Post 11

Monday, January 8, 2007 - 11:29am

It's quite a book. Highly recommended.

I second that, it is quite a good book, along with the sequel, which is called "Children of God"

http://www.amazon.com/Sparrow-Mary-Doria-Russell/dp/0449912558

Post 12

Monday, January 8, 2007 - 1:09pm

What if !

I have the scars to prove the question is a statement of fact. In my first 38 years it was no more than a struggle for survival and meal ticket must have been stamped on my forehead.

My lifeboat was overwhelmed by orphans and disabled. Did I have a clue? I had only an erection. I have had a vasectomy since the age of 38 and retired.

I have had my telephone unplugged for the last 2 days the calls and pleads for assistance are never ending.

In a sea of lost souls that are forever reaching out for a helping hand and not for any advice makes me a lifeboat.

Is it immoral for me to row my boat out of range of those drowning?

I fear they will overwhelm my boat and sink it.

The question is valid but from my position in life it is a game of survival of the fittest.

Phil Collins

"

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord
Ive been waiting for this moment, all my life, oh lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord, oh lord

Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
Ive seen your face before my friend
But I dont know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off the grin, I know where youve been
Its all been a pack of lies

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord
Ive been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh lord, oh lord
And Ive been waiting for this moment all my life, oh lord, oh lord

Well I remember, I remember dont worry
How could I ever forget, its the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no you dont fool me
The hurt doesnt show; but the pain still grows
Its no stranger to you or me

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh lord..."

Post 13

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 5:29pm

Michael,

As usual, I am awed by the value of your contributions here. I am on page 111 of the Sparrow. It is so far magnificent. I will review it when I am done. God bless you for the joy this book is providing me.

Ted

Post 14

Sunday, September 21, 2008 - 8:53am

All of this actually is the same problem as argued in Gun Control between Jeff Small and Bill Dwyer.

Read about the real life sinking of the MTS Oceanos in 1991. (The captain gave the order to abandon ship and the crew did that, packing their bags, taking a lifeboat and leaving the passengers.)
Here is a blogspot dedicated to the event and here is Moss Hills' own website about the sinking.

Post 15

Sunday, September 21, 2008 - 12:05pm