Believe it or not, the Peugeot 405 (which was the first 4 door Peugeot that didn't have that "bent in the front and/or back" look was and still is a well respected model and has aged much better than other cars of its time (1992-2002).

What is really surprising is the number of Renault 12s still on the road here...as well as Citroen 3CVs...which are no longer legal to drive in France (for safety reasons).

Bars on windows and anti robo curtains are common in all of South and Central America.

When TSHYF in America there will no doubt be a lot of folks who wish they had them, too.

Just google baexpats for the link

The last part about the bars and shutters on windows was what a few of my students were telling me about.

I have had several careers in my 80 years. Musician, photographer, store owner, writer, publisher. In the Gulch, and being 25 again, I would follow the dream I hadn't the courage to do back then; I would compose music. I hope that there would be artists, writers, actors, musicians in as much abundance as scientists, tradesmen and shopkeepers.

Career Services - how appropriately ironic for a Shrug job!

Richard Halley did take on an apprentice. Herb7734, you might be that apprentice. Do we have a Richard Halley in Atlantis yet?

Lana, you definitely have Ragnar-like tendencies. Nice.

I'm a computer programmer. I specialize in cyber security, data warehousing, data analysis and scenario generators for understanding the outcomes from choices made. In Galt's Gulch I could head up a cyber unit to gather intelligence or generate a cyber attack. I could create scenario generators for coming up with the best strategies for almost any purpose.
Galt's Gulch needs creative people like me.
I can create revenue generating software.....
I also love gardening and have tried to use natural remedies to combat pests. .I think a garden should be a work of art. I am very interested in soil restoration and building very economical greenhouses. I am also an artist and a gourmet cook. It's all about blending your components to make something elegant, balanced and beautiful.

In my present job, post retirement, I work for banks as a courier. I have done auto repair (mostly imports), auto parts sales/store manager, mental health worker, sheet rock work, state welfare eligibility specialist(mostly elderly/disabled). Maybe I could be a taxi driver in the gulch, or turn wrenches again, I love to drive, and I listen well. Or wash dishes.

I was a dentist. With a little brush up I could deliver a mean root canal - and other treatments. I am now a business manager, well versed in dealing with government and in public relations. I could possibly be a manager of some sort or a photographer ( I have won many local and regional awards for my photography).

In the book there generally are three jobs, not two, for each Gulch resident. First, there is "Used to be." Hugh Akston used to be a professor of philosophy. Then there is the "day job" outside the Gulch. Hugh flips burgers. Does it very well. Inside the gulch, though, he's presumably still a philosopher.

I was just thinking of making that comment myself.

Well currently I teach professors how to teach their classes on the LCMS here at the community college that I work at along with teaching a few entry level computer classes. In the past I have worked with my hands in many different fields to include lumber, construction, dairy and the military working with high explosives and truck driving. So in the Gulch I could be a jack of all trades and fill in anywhere my skills would be the most productive. As a hobby I make 1 off pictures in ceramic tile with my one of a kind hand built wet scroll saw.

I trained as a pathologist. FIfteen years ago I was a laboratory administrator in a 250-bed community hospital.

In the Gulch I could help Dr. Hendrix run a laboratory for clinical diagnosis and research. Failing that, I would sign on as a rough carpenter, or maybe as a militiaman, assigned to guard the perimeter.

Those who are interested in getting a "read" on what's going on in Argentina (primarily but not exclusively from an expat point of view) will find this site very informative. I post as steveinbsas.

A "20 year old Peugeot" certainly would hide your financial status well. In any country. Kudos to your foresight in hiding what you have.

I could do my watercolors there.

Because you used the past tense regarding America it is difficult to know exactly what period of American history to which you are referring.

There is very little to compare Argentina and Venezuela. Both are in South America, but there is no civil unrest in Argentina.

No one is rioting or being killed in the streets.

There is no shortages of goods in general with the exception of some imports, but the grocery stores are well stocked and there is no panic buying.

There has not been a government takeover of the wonderful (and affordable) private health care system and no agency like the EPA interfering with individuals like me (living in a semi rural area).

And there is no agency like the NSA storing my phone records or emails.


Many Argentines are unhappy with the level of corruption in their government and recent inflation, but there are very few homes with mortgages and very few homes without bars or serious shutters on the windows...something that might be desirable in America in the not too distant future.

OK - I'm halfway to the Gulch already. No problem putting a large inventory of rare books up for auction and repurposing the proceeds to farming. Might go to Chile.

Anyone interested in this e-mail blast should send me an e-mail at jbrenner@fit.edu. It won't cost me any more work and could be a really nice investment in Gulch commerce for me. Perhaps my Gulch job will be newsletter publisher.

I send out a weekly e-mail blast to my students, alumni, and local professional section members that includes sections on jobs, news, seminars, etc. 3D printing news goes into Section 25.

Shrug in Argentina, I have a lot of respect for you and our friend in Venezuela. Things have gotten worse than they were in America, but in those countries, it is an order of magnitude worse.