Spiritually (and hypothetically) speaking, in the after-math of a nuclear exchange?
between the United States and the Soviet Union (or China), in your opinion what kinds of people, (hopefully healthy ones, of course) who had somehow survived the radiation exposure that would ensue, do you think would be most needed to begin rebuilding society? I had this conversation with a fellow employee last night (his topic; not mine), and the list of people with various skills and professions were listed from most important to least important. There was some variation and disagreement, but my first choice was doctors of all specialties/ nurses and other medical personnel followed by physicists, engineers (electrical, mechanical, structural, etc ), architects and construction laborers, etc. These people would, of course, be available in all the affected geographical areas of this "hypothetical" nuclear nightmare. Your kind thoughts and intelligent answers are most welcome. Good night. Some outstanding answers so far, especially Buck (Genuflect)'s answer; that's a sobering thought.
Religion & Spirituality - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
in that kind of scenario, EVERY person would be needed to rebuild society, regardless of profession or skills.
2 :
Depends how much survives. I've always thought that those people with the ability to hunt and those with knowledge of herblore will be the most "valuable", at least to begin with.
3 :
Because of the pre-conceived ideas that have permeated society in the last 50 years, we would quickly fall into a Socialist rule. As a free-for-all, this Socialist mentality would leave us with the most mediocre people in the most important positions. There would be no leadership; only community misgivings and poor placement of laborers where needed. This would eventually lead to chaos and anarchy. From there, a strong leader would emerge and start to make tough decisions and become dictatorial. This would lead to Fascism and eventually a democratic overthrow and finally, a democracy would slowly evolve. The whole process would take 100 years or more.
4 :
It's hairdressers, nail technicians and sun-bed repair men in South Essex!
5 :
It would be difficult to do, considering the fact that the radiation would kill off much if not all of the livestock and plant life.
6 :
I am not sure that profession would be the ultimate answer. The person who would be the most needed would be the ones who would be able to function in a post nuclear society. One that would be able to deal without lights, hot water or Starbucks. One that would be able to treat a wound, build a house, mend a shoe, create what he/she needed to survive. And encourage that ability in others. I don't know about you, I know some medical professionals I don't trust behind the wheel of a car.
7 :
Spiritual progress is not going to ensure that you will survive a holocaust. Spiritual life goes beyond this physical existence. A spiritually advanced person will be prepared to face the worst eventuality with equanimity as if it is part of his experience.
8 :
Environmental and chemical engineers to treat drinking water and sanitize waste which is the biggest threat for disease. Farmers and agricultural engineers to feed everyone. Without a food surplus all of society is forced to focus on pecking out their own survival and no one is able to advance any other civic growth. A nuclear engineer to monitor radiation levels and make sure the soil, water, and air all have acceptable levels for human consumption. Civil engineers and enough labor to build all the infrastructure you need. Electrical/mechanical engineers to try and rebuild the power grid which vastly increases the quality of life. Doctors with experience in treating radiation related illnesses, which means at least one oncologist. Teachers to educate children. Labor to do everything that needs getting done. (The world needs ditch-diggers too.)
9 :
I hate to be a smart alec, but, even a die-hard Marxist like me admits that the Soviet Union is gone... However, in the event of TEOTWAWKI (abbreviation used on survivalist sites for "the end of the world as we know it"), I can see a number of types of skills being needed. Number one would be people with mechanical/electrical/chemical skills. ATVs, generators, water and chemical processors, firearms, refrigerators, medical equipment - all of these would be critical in trying to retain some sort of technology as we struggle to rebuild. Forget about developing anything new for awhile - I'm talking about scavenging parts, fuel, raw materials from the rubble. People who know how to hunt, and gather useful wild plants for food and medicines would also be important, as well as those experienced in locating water supplies. Later, as some sort of stability was reached, you'd need farmers. People with medical knowledge, and practical child care knowledge would also be in demand. Yay - moms and nurses might FINALLY get their due! And people with some personal charisma and understanding, either instinctual or learned, of small-group dynamics and politics would be needed, to keep the small groups of survivors together and functioning as mini-societies. As an atheist I find this galling, but I think that small-town preachers might actually, finally, serve a useful purpose in this instance. People with hobbies or professions that combine some of these factors would be in the best position. Wilderness campers, illegal drug "cookers," handy-shop and fix-it types, pilots, nurses, doctors and medical assistants, military, farmhands, and that kid next door who fixed your lawnmower and spends all summer on his back under a car in the driveway, all come to mind. The main difference between the nuclear scenario and all the other types of TEOTWAWKIs that I can see, is that I would gladly trade the labor needed to keep someone alive whose skills aren't immediately needed to contribute foodstuffs, nursing or defense to the group, to make sure that the physics student we rescued from the bombed-out university dorm is healthy, happy, and that his integrating radiation meter is in perfect running order.
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