How to Have a Civilized Civilization : Post Apocalypse Etiquette for Beginners

 Seriously. The only way to have a civilization is to create a system where everyone understands how things are going to go. Say what you will about the repressed Victorians...they all understood the meaning of every interpersonal transaction down to a handkerchief appearance or a lingering look. I think you can do it without that level of Dickensian detail but the bottom line is, trust matters. Trust in one another to react a certain way in certain circumstances goes miles in creating a safe environment. From there, you think through VERY CAREFULLY what kind of governance you'd like, preferably one with many layers of anti-corruption safeguards. Then you can build on other things that provide for the general welfare. And yes, it is imperative to provide for the general welfare. GET THIS RIGHT.  Unfettered Capitalism is a bad plan it is what got us to the point that you might actually be looking for answers on how to rebuild society. Once the level of corruption creates a brea...

Cannibalism is a serious breach of social etiquette. While it might be tempting to see a group of fellow survivors as a lot of protein on the hoof, they are probably just as much against being sacrificed and eaten as you are.  The whole "do unto others" thing will take on even greater importance when the people you meet are armed to the teeth and hungry. Certain skills will doubtless be much less useful in the apocalypse. For instance, the demand for insurance claims processors will likely plummet in the absence of insurance companies, insurance, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, etc. A person without a useful skill will look mighty tasty, and have little to offer the new society but calories.  A person with  a skill - especially one that will provide food - will be far more useful. If you can grow your own food and food for your community, you will be a revered member of society. Gardening > Cannibalism

Like nature. And love it. Nature is really useful.  Don't burn it down, yank it out, or otherwise maim it. You will have a limited number of species to care for. Don't make them go away. It is as my wise father used to say when I would lament the lack of motorized options my family had on the lake..."Olsons don't rip up nature." Be the Olsons.  Work hard on that whole greed vice. It is really the worst of the seven deadly. Seriously. If it weren't for greed, you might not have some of the others or they wouldn't hit you so hard. Think of developing the seven live-ly virtues instead. Like, you know, caring, sharing, conservation, renewable...you see where I'm going- you can complete the list. Probably optimism or positivity should go on there but not enough that you go all Up With People cult-happy, okay?  If you are inspired to start a cult, don't. Just don't. Even if you think it would be okay because it is about being happy and spreading happ...

 During and after the collapse of our current civilization, there are sure to be situations that bring you down. Have the mutants captured your love interest? Have armed marauders made off with your food supply? Was the radio signal you followed to its source hoping to find other humans just a branch tapping the "send" key repeatedly on an abandoned set in the whistling wind? Look on the bright side ! Here are a few thoughts to keep you going: Since there is no gasoline and nobody can drive a car anymore, you didn't have to fight traffic to get to the office. In fact, all the office towers are broken ruins of girders and shattered glass, overgrown with jungle vegetation and inhabited by vicious carnivores. One less worry for you!  You didn't have to answer any email today. You won't tomorrow. Probably, you'll never see another email in the short time you have before your early death. Speaking of health, you won't ever have to dispute another medical bill. ...

Consider NOT creating religion. It has been done. Basically, you don't start hellfire and brimstone? Won't BE no hellfire and brimstone.  When you have those first post-apocalyptical progeny...they will come with no knowledge that they are a special new race of humans. They will go through the terrible twos and the even more terrible teens...and they'll hate everything you create even if it is all for the good of humanity. It is just the way kids are.  Consider NOT doing capitalism. Be imaginative because we weren't.  

 I know the world is on fire! But when you wake up, even if it is in a dumpster behind an abandoned and ransacked strip mall, have some standards for yourself! Make your bed. Hospital corners will make coming home after a full day of foraging and looting, so much nicer. You can head off to the land of nod (if it isn't your turn to be the lookout!) knowing you held your head high, at least high enough not to get it shot off by wandering bands of marauders.