How do you all go on?

[CrisisEraDynamo]

Prof. Xenakis speaks of the coming World War III, evidence for which we see all around us in various media outlets.

Yet, it seems like you all still go on so calmly, knowing what will happen.

Just how do you all go on? I'm not blaming anything on the professor -- he's just telling the truth to anyone willing to listen. I just want to know what drives you all to just go on so calmly like this.

[John]

I'm probably not the best person to respond to you, since I'm the
gloomiest person in the world, and I've lost many, many, many nights
sleep in the last ten years, because I can foresee what's coming. I'm
basically just sitting around waiting to die, and almost hoping that
the first missile hits Cambridge.

However, everyone has to die at some point or other, and for the time
being, I'm leading a pretty decent life. I have well-paying work as a
Senior Software Engineer, and I get a great deal of satisfaction out
of providing Generational Dynamics analyses to ten and possibly
hundreds of thousands of people as a public service. I'm lucky enough
to be able to do something, through this web site, that for some
reason or other nobody else in the world seems able to duplicate. So
you might say that I'm laying down a legacy that will survive me.

So that's how I go on. The obvious alternative is suicide, and
suicide rates are going up, especially among older people. But
there's no reason to commit suicide now, just because you might die in
an approaching war, given you're going to have to die at some point
anyway. You should think about how you can make your life as
worthwhile and enjoyable as you can, while you're still alive, whether
that's for one month, one year, or fifty years. If you're
contemplating suicide, then you shouldn't make an emotional decision
about it. Instead, you should think about the exact conditions under
which you would commit suicide (being a refugee, being homeless and
bankrupt, being close to death, being in a nursing home, etc. -
whatever is important to you). Once you've figured those things out,
you can then "go on so calmly," day after day, knowing that you have a
life plan for doing so.

[CrisisEraDynamo]

I'm probably not the best person to respond to you, since I'm the
gloomiest person in the world, and I've lost many, many, many nights
sleep in the last ten years, because I can foresee what's coming.

Well, I pretty much got that message reading your writings, so yeah, no skin off my back. You definitely have a gift for analysis.

If you're contemplating suicide, then you shouldn't make an emotional decision
about it. Instead, you should think about the exact conditions under
which you would commit suicide (being a refugee, being homeless and
bankrupt, being close to death, being in a nursing home, etc. -
whatever is important to you). Once you've figured those things out,
you can then "go on so calmly," day after day, knowing that you have a
life plan for doing so.

I know you're not a therapist or some Oprah type, but thanks for your answer. I just wanted to know how you went on.

[vincecate]

There are places that are less likely to be nuked or attacked in any way than others. I am on a small island (pop 13,000) with just ocean upwind for a few thousand miles, then the Sahara desert. I am trying to do the best I can to prepare for what is coming. I think there will be hyperinflation, so I think gold and silver are good. I expect there will be wars but hope that my island is not involved in them.

[CrisisEraDynamo]

Look on the bright side, John -- at least there'll be nuclear zero.

Which is how it should be.

But someone will perhaps make new ones, in violation of the austere rules that will certainly be imposed after such a war.

[gerald]

How does one go on?

Simple -- enjoy/experience your environment, relationships, events etc. as best as possible, be they good bad or what ever. For this is All one retains, life time after life time.
Mode of "death"? what have you not done before? You don't remember? But of course! THAT is what makes THIS life time seem important! Conflict and the suppression of memory helps minimize -- The boredom of existence.
And, if you experience a terrible or horrific event -- just think novel and memorable such an event will be!!! ( if such memory is accessed ) An example, Seppuku http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku experienced by one who is currently an Occidental,- but previously --not.
Enjoy!!!

[Trevor]

Honestly, it scares the hell out of me, especially since I do not expect to survive the coming war. One comfort I do have, though, is that my parents are a lot safer than I'm likely to be, since such a small town is unlikely to be targeted with either nuclear or conventional attacks.

Secondly, it gives me a motivation to really accomplish something, a way I can make my mark on the world before all of this begins.

[John]

Oh wait, I forgot the most important precept of all:

Remember that death is a part of life.

[thomasglee]

For me, FAITH. I see prophecy being fulfilled.

[gerald]

John said ---
I'm basically just sitting around waiting to die, and almost hoping that
the first missile hits Cambridge.

John, From what I understand and from sources that be as the may questionable, death (transition) by nuclear blast should be avoided if possible because of the disorientation caused by the high energies of such a blast.
It should also be noted that after transition (death) one should avoid the light- it is a trap.