Introduction
In "The Knowledge," Lewis Dartnell presents a thought-provoking exploration of how humanity might rebuild civilization in the wake of a catastrophic event. This book serves as a guide for surviving and thriving in a post-apocalyptic world, offering practical advice on everything from basic survival skills to reestablishing complex technologies and industries.
Dartnell's work is not just a survival manual; it's a fascinating journey through human knowledge and ingenuity. By breaking down the fundamental building blocks of our modern world, the author provides readers with a deeper appreciation of the incredible achievements of human civilization and the often-overlooked systems that keep our society functioning.
Immediate Survival: Shelter, Warmth, and Water
In the aftermath of a catastrophic event, the first priority is ensuring immediate survival. Dartnell outlines three crucial elements: shelter, warmth, and water.
Finding Shelter
In a post-apocalyptic scenario, finding shelter might be easier than expected. With a significantly reduced population, empty houses would be plentiful. Large shopping centers, with their sturdy construction and ample space, could serve as excellent temporary shelters.
Staying Warm
Without electricity, keeping warm becomes a challenge. Dartnell suggests two primary strategies:
Clothing: Large shopping centers are likely to have survived the initial catastrophe, making them ideal sources for long-lasting clothing.
Fire: If matches or lighters aren't available, Dartnell provides an ingenious solution: use a magnifying glass or a pair of glasses to focus sunlight and start a fire.
Securing Clean Water
Clean water is crucial for survival. Dartnell advises:
Immediate action: In the early days after the catastrophe, collect as much water as possible from municipal supplies and bottled water from supermarkets.
Storage: Fill clean buckets, baths, and sinks with water. Keep the supply covered to prevent contamination and algae growth.
Sterilization: Boil any water that didn't come from a sealed bottle for a few minutes to kill dangerous pathogens.
Food: Scavenging and Agriculture
Once immediate survival needs are met, securing a stable food supply becomes the next priority.
Scavenging
Dartnell points out that a single intact supermarket contains enough food to sustain a person for 55 to 63 years, including pet food. He advises:
Prioritize perishables: Consume fresh foods first, as they spoil quickly.
Long-term storage: Focus on grains, which can last 3-10 years if stored properly.
Balanced diet: Despite limited options, try to maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.
Starting a Farm
As scavenged supplies dwindle, agriculture becomes essential. Dartnell provides a crash course in farming:
Soil composition: Understand your soil by conducting a simple jar test to determine the ratio of gravel, sand, and clay.
Soil preparation: Use a plough to turn over the topsoil, control weeds, and mix in organic material.
Planting: Space seeds evenly in rows for easier weed control and harvesting.
Crop rotation: Rotate crops to maintain soil health and balance nutrients.
Harvesting: Most crops are straightforward to harvest, but cereal grains require more labor-intensive methods.
Energy: The Importance of Heat
Dartnell emphasizes the crucial role of thermal energy in rebuilding civilization. Many essential processes, from baking bread to forging metal, require high temperatures.
Charcoal Production
Charcoal becomes a vital resource in this scenario. It burns hotter than wood and is lighter to transport. Dartnell provides a simple method for producing charcoal:
- Dig a large trench and fill it with wood.
- Start a fire in the trench and let it grow large.
- Cover the trench with corrugated sheet metal and soil to prevent oxygen from entering.
- Wait a few hours for the wood to transform into charcoal.
This process creates a clean, efficient fuel source that will be essential for industrial redevelopment.
Health and Hygiene
In a world without modern healthcare, prevention becomes the best medicine. Dartnell stresses the importance of cleanliness in preventing diseases.
Basic Hygiene
Hand washing: Regular hand washing prevents most gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.
Clean water: Boiling water to purify it is crucial in preventing waterborne diseases.
Making Soap
Dartnell provides a simple method for making soap:
- Extract oil from plants like coconuts or olives.
- Harvest alkali from wood ashes by soaking them in water and boiling off the liquid.
- Mix the resulting potash with boiling oil to create soap.
Medical Care
While modern diagnostic tools won't be available, Dartnell reassures that good medical care is still possible:
Treating cholera: A simple mixture of water, sugar, and salt can effectively treat this potentially deadly disease.
Diagnostics: Many diseases can be diagnosed through visible symptoms or audible cues.
Stethoscope: This valuable tool can be made from a hollow piece of wood and used to amplify internal body sounds for diagnosis.
Navigation and Timekeeping
In a world without GPS or digital clocks, Dartnell provides methods for navigating and keeping time using basic tools.
Measuring Time
Shadow clock: Plant a stick upright in the ground and observe the length of its shadow to estimate the time of day.
Hourglass: Create a simple timer using two glass light bulbs connected at the neck, with sand flowing between them.
Navigation
Maps: Traditional paper maps become essential for navigation.
Homemade compass: Create a compass using a magnet, needle, cork, and water to help with orientation and navigation.
Rebuilding Society
As survival becomes more secure, the focus shifts to rebuilding society and reestablishing complex technologies.
Communication
Dartnell emphasizes the importance of preserving and sharing knowledge:
Writing materials: Learn to make paper and ink from natural materials.
Printing: Develop simple printing methods to disseminate information widely.
Basic Industries
Reestablishing basic industries is crucial for long-term progress:
Textiles: Learn to process fibers from plants and animals to create clothing.
Metalworking: Develop furnaces and forges to work with metals, starting with easily accessible materials like copper and iron.
Glass-making: Master the art of creating glass for windows, containers, and scientific instruments.
Agriculture and Food Processing
Advancing beyond basic farming:
Crop improvement: Selectively breed plants for desired traits.
Food preservation: Develop methods like canning, smoking, and fermentation to extend food shelf life.
Milling: Create simple mills to process grains into flour.
Chemical Industry
Dartnell explains the importance of reestablishing basic chemical processes:
Soap and cleaning products: Scale up soap production and develop other cleaning agents.
Fertilizers: Learn to create nitrogen-based fertilizers to improve crop yields.
Fuels: Develop biofuels and other alternative energy sources.
Power Generation
Rebuilding an electrical infrastructure:
Simple generators: Create basic electrical generators using magnets and wire.
Hydropower: Harness the power of flowing water to generate electricity.
Wind power: Construct wind turbines for areas with consistent wind.
Transportation
Reestablishing transportation networks:
Roads: Learn to build and maintain basic road systems.
Waterways: Utilize rivers and canals for efficient transportation of goods.
Simple engines: Develop steam engines and eventually internal combustion engines.
Medicine and Healthcare
Advancing medical knowledge and practices:
Herbal remedies: Identify and cultivate plants with medicinal properties.
Basic surgery: Develop sterile techniques and simple surgical procedures.
Antibiotics: Learn to produce penicillin and other basic antibiotics.
Education and Knowledge Preservation
Ensuring the continuity of human knowledge:
Schools: Establish basic educational systems to pass on essential skills and knowledge.
Libraries: Create repositories of books and other information sources.
Apprenticeships: Develop systems for passing on specialized skills and trades.
Long-term Considerations
Dartnell also touches on some long-term considerations for rebuilding civilization:
Sustainable Practices
Resource management: Develop sustainable forestry and mining practices.
Waste management: Create systems for dealing with waste and recycling materials.
Environmental awareness: Foster an understanding of ecological balance and conservation.
Social Organization
Governance: Establish basic systems of law and governance.
Trade: Develop fair systems of trade and commerce.
Cultural preservation: Maintain and celebrate cultural practices and artistic expression.
Scientific Advancement
Basic research: Reestablish scientific methods and practices.
Astronomy: Develop tools for observing and understanding celestial bodies.
Mathematics: Rebuild mathematical knowledge as a foundation for scientific progress.
Conclusion
"The Knowledge" serves as both a fascinating thought experiment and a practical guide to rebuilding civilization from scratch. By breaking down the fundamental technologies and processes that underpin our modern world, Dartnell provides readers with a deeper appreciation of human ingenuity and the complex systems that support our daily lives.
The book emphasizes that while the task of rebuilding civilization would be enormous, it is not insurmountable. With the right knowledge and resources, survivors of a catastrophic event could not only ensure their immediate survival but also lay the groundwork for a new society.
Dartnell's work is a testament to human resilience and adaptability. It reminds us that the accumulated knowledge of generations is our most valuable resource, capable of guiding us through even the most challenging circumstances.
Moreover, "The Knowledge" serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the fragility of our current civilization and the importance of preserving and understanding the fundamental principles that underpin it. It encourages readers to look at the world around them with fresh eyes, appreciating the incredible achievements that have brought us to where we are today.
In the end, Dartnell's book is not just about survival or rebuilding; it's about understanding. By comprehending the building blocks of our civilization, we gain a greater appreciation for it and become better equipped to protect and improve it, whether in the face of a catastrophe or in our everyday lives.
"The Knowledge" is a celebration of human ingenuity and a roadmap for preserving and rebuilding the incredible achievements of our species. It serves as a reminder that with knowledge, creativity, and determination, humanity can overcome even the most daunting challenges and build a better future.