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Starve the Beast

Posted by $ Markus_Katabri 1 year, 3 months ago to Going Galt
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  • Posted by freedomforall 1 year, 3 months ago
    👍
    I couldn't agree more and I've been encouraging a consumer strike against corrupt corporate vendors for years.
    I'm not setting a perfect example, but I am looking for a farm co-op to use and buying eggs from a neighbor.
    When I can I'm doing 1,2,3,6,8,9,11,13,15,16,18,19,20,21,23,31,34,35,36,44,53,54,55.
    I'd add to the list:
    Switch to Linux OS on your computer, starting with a dual boot (which Linux can do automatically) with your
    existing OS so you can start in the shallow end of the pool until you can swim well with Linux.
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    • Posted by $ Commander 1 year, 3 months ago
      Was just talking last night about Linux switch with a friend who has 35 years in computers and info tech. Probably will see him in two weeks to go into depth of changeover. HAM is good too. One uncle is almost 55 years experience.
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      • Posted by lrshultis 1 year, 3 months ago
        I found UBUNTU Linux easy to install. I have used it for many years and dual boot with windows, because I did not have a Linux version of Mathematica. I only buy refurbished computers from Walmart or Amazon for abut $300. My HP came with Windows, 16 GB of ram, a 500 GB solid state drive, and a core I7 CPU with 8 processors. I am 83 and still keep things running.
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        • Posted by $ Commander 1 year, 2 months ago
          Awww Geeze! That means I have to upgrade from my 40MB hard drive and move out of DOS. Decisions, decisions.....

          I'll keep this in mind. I have access to build a really high function system from all the excess parts friends are replacing. Thanks much
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          • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 1 year, 2 months ago
            I'm an IT manager by profession with more than a couple of decades in the profession.

            Linux UbantuMATE is light weight and pretty impressive even on a pretty old system. You can get Libre Office (MS office alternative and compatible) and Firefox installed and can install ClamAV (and ClamTK for a user interface) as an antivirus for free.

            The OS with all that I mentioned are free. I recently install it on a i7-980 with 16GB memory and 240GB hard drive and it runs fine. Linux Mint is pretty good as well. I also installed it on a really really old HP craptop and it gave it new life. I use it to configure routers and wifi devices.

            If you need advice or a hand, I'm no expert with Linux by any means, but MS is forcing this old dog to learn some new old tricks (I used to tinker with Unix long ago) to save money and maintain privacy, but you're welcome to call on me (PM).
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            • Posted by $ Commander 1 year, 2 months ago
              My current use (online) is an HP, 8GB ram, 500GB hard but an i3 processor. Easy upgrade or exchange with the hardware available.

              The '40' I mention above is my work unit .... really. AIR GAP
              I have zero problems and 3 backup units loaded. Lifetime supply of hardware. I still use MS Works for my paperwork and have a CAD system from 1994 that runs in DOS. Some might think this funny, but then I express the following;

              Imagine standing in front of MS headquarters. A blonde walks into an operating system.
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      • Posted by $ 1 year, 3 months ago
        If by HAM you mean amateur radio I fully concur. My father was a HAM operator for many years. I’ve often thought of going after his old callsign.
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        • Posted by $ Commander 1 year, 2 months ago
          I saw my Uncle today. His HAM setup is awesome. He strung a 130 foot antenna over the trees in his yard using a bow, fishing arrows, and light cable. 3 monitors to evaluate and search frequency use, user database, pip signal by morse ....
          I have 3 Baofeng hand units that need programming. After that we can look at a base. May need this next year.
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  • Posted by $ Commander 1 year, 3 months ago
    I'm covered except for chickens and solar power.
    Chickens are within the barter consortium and heat/cooking is wood as backup.
    Been at the infrastructure for 2 1/2 years. Full machine shop with fuel to power generator too.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 1 year, 3 months ago
    Very Nice list. Semi-Galt.

    However, way too many people would forego privacy and freedom for convenience, and completely lack the competency, skills or initiative to do 1/3 of these.
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  • Posted by CaptainKirk 1 year, 3 months ago
    Great List. Doing a lot of it.
    I don't do 9, 12 because I don't do vegetables.
    But I should find local cattle farmers...

    Another one. Reduce your water consumption.
    Try for 1 week to live "without" full showers, etc.
    A bucket shower (2 buckets) a bar of soap, and a washcloth go a long way...

    Get wet, lather up, then rinse off. Just doing this changed how we view showers, etc. But I know what it takes to survive without a working shower. I can easily sustain this.

    We still shower normally, but much shorter.
    We also HOME FILTER water to not buy bottled water!

    And, get this. Our MONTHLY water consumption for 2 people is TINY. It's below that of a single person.

    Water is a precious resource, slowly become scarce...

    We have hundreds of extra garbage bags, to be used inside of buckets for WASTE if we lose water/sewer. Starting to think twice about how nice SEPTIC would be... LOL

    Great list. Already doing many things here.

    We stopped sending gifts for Christmas, buy CRAP to decorate, and even having special meals.

    I continue to FAST every Thanksgiving, for as many days as I can... Because I am grateful that FASTING is a CHOICE and a MUSCLE you must exercise...
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  • Posted by $ pixelate 1 year, 3 months ago
    I had to stop reading after #1 "Grow your own food."
    Not going to happen... not for me, or even anyone that I know -- including folks with a backyard garden -- I ask "what percentage of your food is grown in your garden?" And they have no idea. The garden patch is on par with virtue signalling.
    Ok.. I will go back and read the list ... 55 items ... there must be a few of them that I am already implementing...
    #13 Ditch TV, #26 Play outside, #49 Give the gift of experiences instead of Stuff.
    #51 Use Alt Social Media -- Welcome to The Gulch.

    Here are 55 ways to starve the Beast.
    Starve the Beast by taking as many of these steps as possible…
    1. Grow your own food.
    2. Shop at local businesses with no corporate ties.
    3. Use natural remedies instead of pharmaceuticals whenever possible.
    4. Homeschool your children. If you can’t homeschool, at the very least, spend time undoing the indoctrination by giving them the tools to think critically.
    5. Walk or bike instead of driving when you can.
    6. When possible, get care from naturopaths and healers instead of doctors.
    7. Make paper logs from scraps for free heat if you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove.
    8. Boycott all processed foods.
    9. Shop at local farmer’s markets or buy directly from the farms themselves.
    10. Don’t buy from corporate stores: Wal-Mart, Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot. Instead, pay a few extra dollars and buy from local vendors.
    11. Give vouchers as gifts for an evening of babysitting, a homemade meal, walking the dog, doing a repair, or cleaning
    12. Join a CSA or farm co-op
    13. Ditch television (and all the propaganda and commercials). If you want to view programs, enroll in a streaming service without commercials like Netflix.
    14. Participate in the barter system – although remember that even if no money changes hands, the government would like for you to let them know so you can be duly taxed.
    15. Buy secondhand from yard sales, Craigslist, and thrift stores
    16. Sell your own unwanted goods by having a yard sale or putting an ad on Craigslist
    17. Repair things instead of replacing them
    18. Avoid fast-food restaurants and chain restaurants
    19. Dine at locally owned establishments if you eat out.
    20. Brew your own beer and wine.
    21. Cook from scratch to avoid all those Big Food chemicals and additives.
    22. Grow or gather medicinal herbs.
    23. Give homemade gifts.
    24. Attend free local activities: lectures, concerts, play days at the park, library events.
    25. Dumpster dive and pick up things from the curb.
    26. Play outside: hike, bike, picnic.
    27. Mend clothing.
    28. Invite someone over for dinner instead of meeting at a chain restaurant.
    29. Throw creative birthday parties at home for your kids instead of renting a venue.
    30. Travel to other countries and note how most are not filled with mega-corporations, and local businesses still thrive.
    31. Bring your coffee with you in a travel mug.
    32. Do all of your Christmas shopping with small local businesses and artisans.
    33. Reduce your electricity usage with candles, solar power, and non-tech entertainment.
    34. Drop the thermostat and put on a sweater.
    35. Bring your snacks and drinks in a cooler when you go on a road trip.
    36. Stay home – it’s way easier to avoid temptations that way. Shopping should not be a form of entertainment.
    37. Pack lunches for work and school.
    38. Make delicious homemade treats as a hostess gift.
    39. Close your bank account or at the very least, strictly limit your balance.
    40. Visit u-pick berry patches and orchards, then preserve your harvest for the winter.
    41. Use precious metals stored at home as your savings account.
    42. Raise backyard chickens for your own eggs.
    43. If you are a smoker, roll your own cigarettes – if possible go one step further and grow tobacco.
    44. Brew your own beer, wine, and liquor.
    45. Use solar power for lighting or cooking.
    46. Collect rainwater for use in the garden
    47. Learn to forage.
    48. Buy heavy, solid, handmade furniture instead of the flimsy imported stuff
    49. At the holidays, focus on activities and traditions instead of gifts.
    50. Make your own bath and body products using pure ingredients like coconut oil, essential oils, and herbal extracts
    51. Use alternative social media.
    52. Get an old-fashioned flip phone while you still can.
    53. Drive an older car without GPS tracking.
    54. Use a VPN like ExpressVPN to keep your location information masked on your electronic devices.
    55. Avoid adding surveillance technology such as Ring or Nest to your home.
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