Reality Upgrade

For thousands of years, humans have lived the majority of their lives outdoors, only going inside to sleep if at all. Even then, windows were in scarce supply, so we lived in direct contact with the outside air almost all the time.

The first real air conditioner was invented in 1902, and ever since humans have been spending more and more time indoors. Especially if you work in an office, your only time outside at all might be walking from car to building and back.

It seems intuitive to some of us that spending all that time inside and away from nature is bad for your health, but this article from Discovery News adds even more evidence to the pile.

The article talks about the natural bacteria in the soil and air, which when we breathe them in (or eat them) have several major health benefits. Not only do they increase serotonin levels and decrease anxiety, they can also make us learn faster.

So your mother was right after all. Go outside, it’s good for you!

I certainly do not have an iPhone. In fact, the only Apple product I own is an iPod, and I should have gotten something else.

But I do understand the appeal of Apple products. They work well. They are sleek and well designed. They charge an arm and a leg for any support.

Oh wait, that last one is a bad thing.

Still for those of you who chose to drink the Apple-flavored Kool-aid, you might think you have no choice but to go to the Apple store to get your repairs done. Considering the fact that Apple charges something like $200 for repairing a cracked screen, this article from Cnet might be of real interest to you.

In this article, a 10 year old replaces the cracked screen of an iPhone, using only a $22 kit from the internet.

Check it out here, and save yourself $178, and your self-esteem. Heh.

To continue our weekly series of TED videos, check out this great lecture by Juan Enriquez about the future of human evolution.

With the technology of genetics and robotics advancing by amazing leaps and bounds, Juan Enriquez talks about the possibility of humans taking control of our own evolution, and what that could mean for the future of the world.

If the video does not work for some reason, check it out here.

We have all seen it in the movies. The car flies over the cliff and into the water, the hero inside. As water fills the car he struggles with his seat belt, shoots out the window, and swims to safety, probably dragging a pretty girl to the surface with him.

According to some studies, over 10,000 water immersion auto accidents happen each year. While we all feel confident that we’d be able to escape, the reality of being inside a sinking car is far scarier than can be imagined.

Do you know what to do the make it out of a sinking car? Take a look at this great article by jalopnik.com to get some great tips. They could just mean the difference between life and death someday.

Read the article here.

This is a fantastic video about the true nature of freedom of choice, or rather our shocking lack thereof. As Dan says, we are good at coping with our physical constraints…stairs, clothes, etc. But we are not so good at dealing with, or even acknowledging, our mental constraints.

Dan Ariely is the author of Predictably Irrational, a great book that I am reading right now, and which I highly recommend.

If the video below does not work for some reason, the original is at TED.com

When you think of a parasite, most people get a horrible disgusted feeling. There is just something about a creature living inside you without you knowing that sets our teeth on edge.

If you aren’t already, picture the scene in the movie Alien where the little alien bursts out of one of the astronauts’ stomach during dinner. Ugh.

But in this fantastic podcast by Radiolab, a case is made that parasites are a lot cooler upon further inspection. So are they awful, or awesome?

Check out this great podcast and decide for yourself.

When it comes to disasters, natural or otherwise, it is easy to think “it will never happen to me.” Or even, “if it happens, I am prepared.”

Unfortunately, for the vast majority of us (myself included) we are not nearly as prepared as we could and should be.

As we are approaching hurricane season this year, and to kick off our series on disaster preparedness, I would like to ask each of you to listen to this story by This American Life, a radio show from NPR. This story, called “After the Flood” is a series of interviews with survivors of Hurricane Katrina who tell their story in their own words. It is a bracing reminder of how quickly and easily things can get out of control, and how even the people we normally rely on to protect us, the police and military, can become part of the problem in a disaster.

The show is about an hour long, and streams directly to your computer. You can also download it for $.99 and listen to it on your iPod. (the money is going to a good cause…)

Listen to it here.

For more survival related info, check out the links below:

Be Prepared: Survival Supplies - A survival shopping list

This is a great video about the surprising science of motivation by career analyst Dan Pink, thanks to one of my favorite websites, TED.

This video is only about 18 minutes long, and is a must for anyone who owns, manages, or ever plans on managing a business.

If you have any trouble playing the video, click here for the original on the TED website.

One of the most critical parts of disaster preparedness is the Survival Kit. It may sound a little campy, but a survival kit is basically just a bag with some essential supplies, things that you really, really will want to have in case of world-crushing disaster - dirty bomb, tsunami, zombies, whatever. As was proven quite handily during Hurricane Katrina, it takes emergency services an average of 72 hours to get help to you.

Don’t worry. We’ve got your back with this shopping list of survival preparedness.

The Home Kit

The survival kit is really not one kit per say, but three. The first of these is the home kit.

Store everything here in sealed plastic bags or containers, and keep in a place that is fairly accessible. This probably won’t cost as much as it might seem, and you probably have most of it already. Still, if price is an issue, buy this stuff a little at a time (maybe when it’s on sale?) and eventually you will have a truly epic survival kit.

1. Water: 1 gallon per person per day. For a family of 4 that makes 12 gallons. The best way is to buy gallon jugs of drinking water, because they are pre-sanitized and sealed to prevent any nastiness from getting in. If you decide to fill your own jugs, read this for instructions on how. Also, keep a bottle of non-scented bleach - 12 drops in a gallon of water makes it drinkable, and tea bags can make it taste better.

Word to the wise: As a last resort, there is a handy backup reserve of water - in your hot water heater. Open the drain valve at the bottom to get some water of last resort. Don’t forget to sterilize it with bleach!

2. Food: Go ahead and plan out 3 days worth of meals, using non-perishable food that does not need to be heated. Canned tuna, veggies, and fruits are great, as well as canned beans and potatoes, and dried fruit and nuts. They may not taste great cold, but they will work. Peanut butter is a high-calorie food with a long shelf life. Freeze dried camping meals and MRE’s are nice too, but they can get a little pricey. Stay away from foods that will make you thirsty, like high-sodium crackers or soups, and go for whole grains as much as possible. Don’t forget to add in some comfort food. You may be stuck inside for days, and a little candy or other snacks can go a long way.

Word to the wise: Don’t forget to pack a manual can opener!

3. First Aid Kit: You can buy one for about $25, (here is a good one from the Red Cross) or you can make your own. Check out this list of suggested first aid items. Don’t forget to include any prescription medication!

4. Clothes: A full change of clothes, including warm outer layers and sturdy comfortable shoes, for each person under your roof.

5. Flashlight: A crank powered led light with a built in emergency radio is my personal favorite, but a cheapo dollar-store version will work. Don’t forget the extra batteries!

6. Plastic Sheeting: Fiber-reinforced, laminated polyethylene film, 0.006 inches thick. You can buy 1,200 square feet of Dura Skrim DS2 for about $100. Or get a tarp — for covering broken windows or roofs.

7. Zip Ties and Duct Tape: These DIY favorites are great for attaching the aforementioned plastic sheeting, or even making compression bandages or splints.

8. Protective Wear: Waterproof and cut resistant Kevlar gloves and N95 face masks. Get one face mask for each person, at least.

9. Tools: A crowbar to pry debris that might stand between you and a loved one. An adjustable wrench. Screwdrivers. A staple gun. Rope. Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type.

10. Matches: Strike-anywhere, waterproof, and windproof. Keep them in a plastic bag. In another bag, hoard some dryer lint for kindling.

11. Sanitation: Toilet paper, soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items (travel-sized, please), plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses), plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, household chlorine bleach.

The Go Kit

The go kit should be a small backpack that is kept near the door, in case you have to bail at a moment’s notice. Let’s just say, when the zombies are knocking down the back door, you don’t want to be still packing.

One bag per person, please.

11. Radio: This can be a cheap AM/FM battery-powered radio, or you could step it up a notch and get a hand crank-powered flashlight with AM/FM and cell-phone charging abilities.

12. Cash: $500 in small bills. ATMs won’t work when the power is out, and neither will card readers. Again, if this is a strain on your budget, put in a small amount each month until you have a good amount.

13. Documents: A copy of your home insurance policy, contact numbers, medical insurance card, passport, driver’s license, bank records, wills, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, photocopies of credit and identification cards, and photos of family members. Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container. (A local map and spare keys may come in handy, too.)

14. Mylar Space Blanket: It’s incredibly light and compact, and can keep you warm or reflect the sun’s rays to prevent heatstroke.

15. Clothes: A spare set, in a waterproof bag. Include a hat, and a few basic toiletries, like a toothbrush and toilet paper.

16. Food and Water: A one-liter (or so) plastic bottle of water, and some sports or nutrition bars. Nuts and trail mix are another good option.

17. Essential Medicine: Any prescriptions, as well as sunblock and acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Mosquito repellent, if you live in an are prone to them.

18. Miscellaneous Tools: Duct tape, of course. Roadside flares (or something fancier if you prefer). A multi-tool, Swiss Army or Leatherman - make sure it has a can opener, a good knife blade, and Phillips and flat head screwdrivers.

The Car Kit

The car kit is simply a beefed up version of the Go Kit that you keep in your trunk. Put it all in a duffel bag or large backpack.

19. Clothes: Another spare set, with a few extra pairs of socks. Include a sweater or jacket and a few basic toiletries, like a toothbrush and toilet paper.

20. Food and Water: A plastic jug of water, and some sports or nutrition bars. Nuts and trail mix are another good option. Make it enough for a few people to make it through a day.

21. Essential Medicine: Any prescriptions, as well as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

22. Miscellaneous Tools: Duct tape, of course. Roadside flares (or something fancier if you prefer). A multi-tool, Swiss Army or Leatherman - make sure it has a can opener, a good knife blade, and Phillips and flat head screwdrivers.

23. Flashlight: A crank powered led light with a built in emergency radio is my personal favorite, but a cheapo dollar-store version will work. Don’t forget the extra batteries!

24. Protective Gear: Waterproof and cut resistant Kevlar gloves and N95 face masks. A poncho and rubber boots are a nice addition as well.

25. Blankets: Especially if you live in a climate prone to snow storms, you could easily be stuck in your car for a while in the cold. Add a blanket or two. They don’t have to be fancy, but they do have to be warm. Don’t worry, your trunk is big enough!

Because when the zombies arrive, it’s too late to shop.

Making survival kits like these may seem like overkill at the moment, but I assure you that is disaster happens you will be glad you took the time. And in the mean time, you can have some peace of mind, knowing that you are ready for whatever happens.

More Information

For a little inspiration on why being prepared is worth the effort, listen to this NPR piece about what happened to people who were stuck in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

If you want to look into disaster preparedness a bit more, take a look at the following websites, they have a ton of useful information:

FEMA’s Plan Ahead website - Lot’s of great info.

FEMA’s Disaster Preparedness Guide - A free pdf with even more information. Not a bad idea to print this one out. After all, the internet goes down with the power…

The American Red Cross - A great site, with lots more info, and a pretty cool store.

Emergency Essentials - An online store that sells way more disaster preparedness stuff than anyone possibly needs. These guys even have special shipping rates to Utah. In case your *ahem* bunker needs resupplying.

Given the incredibly ubiquitous use of Google Maps nowadays, you would think everyone would already know how to use it.

Au Contraire.

Check out this article from my Very Favorite Website, Lifehacker, to learn ten great tips and tricks for getting Google Maps up to its full potential.