The Post-Apocalypse Survival Machine Nerd Farm
November 7th, 2012Via: Bloomberg:
In 2007, Jakubowski began working on a minimum set of machines necessary to sustain a modern civilization. It comprises bread ovens, aluminum smelters, tractors, brick presses, and 46 others. Factor e Farm has already built 15 of these devices, including a computer-controlled torch table that can cut intricate patterns on metal with a jet of superheated ionized gas. Work will com-mence soon on a cement mixer, a sawmill, and an industrial robot.
Most of Factor e Farm’s equipment runs on an in-house invention called a Power Cube. It’s a black metal box about the size of an office copier, with a 27-horsepower engine that runs a hydraulic pump. The Power Cube’s engine can drive the bulldozers; the pumps can power the table saws and other smaller, stationary machines.
Jakubowski expects to have all 50 tools finished by 2015 and publishes progress reports on the Open Source Ecology website. He shares the designs for all the machines and produces how-to-make-it videos. He wants as many people as possible to take a crack at improving the designs.
I’ve had similar ideas simmering in the back of my mind since I was a teenager. When discussing it with others I usually phrased it along the lines of “if you found yourself on a desert island, how would start over?”
Jakubowski didn’t call it “The Post-Apocalypse Survival Machine Nerd Farm” when I joined his Kickstarter, but that’s how I saw it. I’m glad to see he’s emphasizing the civilization reboot concept. I admire his vision and think it’s important to pursue. I don’t envy him trying to get useful work out of a bunch of young volunteers though.
I got this story emailed to me a few days ago. My response to my friend is worth reposting here. There are some references for that audience, but most is applicable.
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Right off, I see some flaws…
I know you weren’t looking for a commentary, but this happens to be one of the things that I’ve been looking at.. I even made a partial plan. 🙂
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First off, no one knows what apocalyptic event might happen. 2 or 3 storms like Sandy in one year pounding the East coast? It could easily happen. We see that here in Florida almost yearly. Heck, in 2004, we got hit by 4 hurricanes in 5 weeks. The big difference for survivability is, we’re used to it.
So, on to the flaws.
I saw multiple references to electrical stuff. They’re dependent on the apocalyptic event not being too bad, where electrical service will be available. They do have generators, but that is reliant on the fuel supply. You can go with biofuels, but that has limited production rate for a small farm. Pretty much, you won’t grow and process enough with a handful of people, to be able to power a generator 24/7.
The structures shown aren’t exactly survivable. Extreme heat or cold would be catastrophic to the residents. Extreme wind (hurricane or tornado) would turn their camp into pieces of buildings spread for miles.
If the apocalypse was military in any sense, they are undefended, other than being remote. They don’t appear to have defensible positions. In a long term crisis and civil unrest, the military (domestic, local guard, or invading forces) aren’t the only concern. Civilians who need, and you have, are a serious threat. That threat becomes bigger when you do something stupid like doing a public talk about it, and say where your camp is. If even a few people think that there is a camp with things they need, they’ll go there with friends.
Dropping $60k on a property to have a makeshift camp on is just dumb, unless they intended to make it a livable and survivable camp. Subterranean or semi subterranean structures are great for climate control. In most areas, it’s 6 to 15 feet down to have a stable year round temp. It may be a bit cool to me, but it’d probably be warm if you’re used to places that get the white stuff falling from the sky. 🙂