Smart technology is everywhere. From smart phones in our pockets to smart stereos in our cars. There are even smart dishwashers and refrigerators. Pretty soon, almost everything we own will be “smart.”
The app-crazed frenzy that ties into this technology is leaving preppers questioning whether it’s a good idea to use smart technology. While there are many survival apps and smart technologies designed for preppers, I would like to offer the 5 reasons why you should avoid smart technology like the plague.
1. Although it is not hardwired into the grid, you still have to be on the grid.
There is a misconception that mobile phones are off the grid. This has arisen from the fact that smart phones and their bills have no connection to regular utilities. But look at the marketing of these phones: They are on a network, and they require a contract commitment or at least a pre-purchaseed plan. Smartphones are directly linked into the system; they are anything but off the grid.
Devices with smart technology use the internet and satellite systems the same way smartphones do. Even if you don’t have a direct contract with a network, you can be assured that you are connecting to a company satellite or server.
2. It’s not really surviving if you are having a computer do it for you.
Having a smart device which handles all the thinking of being a survivalist is like putting a welcome mat on a front porch and claiming you helped build the house. As a survivalist, you need to know instinctively and through training what to do in emergency situations. You don’t want to become dependent upon a smart navigation system, an emergency app, a “smart” fishing or hunting device, etc. While these tools may be tempting to use, they are really hindering you in the long run.
3. If you rely on a smart device now and an EMP happens, you are out of luck.
If you have your whole survival plan based around smart technology devices and an EMP occurs, where does that leave you? Up a certain creek without a paddle, that’s where. An EMP would take out the satellites which are the brains of the devices. Even if the satellites are working, the servers of the provider of the smart technology are bound to be wiped out. In other words, you will have nothing but a bunch of useless paperweights.
4. The information you gather from smart technology is shifty at best.
If you do not believe that the information in a smart device is shifty then I would encourage you to get an older GPS system and get on a steep road beside the ocean. Type in directions to a city that is close by and see if the system does not either lead you into the ocean or off a cliff at some point.
The point is this: The information is computerized and does not respond well to unknown data. Now, given a survival situation, the terrain may be substantially altered. This could lead to the smart technology leading you into a perilous or fatal area. Apart from the fact that many smart devices won’t work at that time, those that do cannot predict the future.
5. Smart Devices are tracking systems.
Modern smart technology is little more than a tracking system for the American public. And it’s not just the devices that are tracking your movements; it’s the software as well. In recent news, Microsoft admitted that Windows 10 is automatically collecting all of your personal data. All of it. Emails, documents, pictures, web sites, phone numbers, security codes, etc. And this is just Windows. Take into consideration other smart technology such as hot spots and instant messaging. These typically show your location by default.
When a catastrophic event occurs, your smart device will be the easiest and quickest way for the government to track you down if they want to. Even if your device is off, the hardware allows for a transponder signal to be directed to the government. It may sound a bit like a spy or a conspiracy theory, but the technology has been shown time and time again to infringe on the privacy of the American public. If a survivalist situation occurs where martial law is established and you are in an urban survival scenario, the local authorities have only to activate the smart devices in that area to pinpoint your location.
So is all technology bad for the survivalist?
Of course not. There are quite a few resources that can help you in your survivalist training. The key is to find devices which are not dependent upon the internet, satellite, or a server. I know this greatly minimizes the options, but if you really want to go off the grid, that’s what you have to do. You need to have the skills and the tools to survive without any smart devices.
If there’s an area of survivalism in which you constantly refer to your smart device for help, that area is a major weakness. You need to identify this weakness and take preventive measures to ensure that your weakness becomes a strength. Only by understanding your weaknesses and your dependencies can you make the transition from person who foresees disaster to person who can survive a disaster.
Capricorn says
December 24, 2015 at 11:21 pmSolution
Just make a metalic box (it works like faraday cage) and put the smartphone in there without battery… (along with solar charger)
When you need to use the phone, take it off and when you are done, put it back!
Its useful if you use balistic software like “Applied Ballistics” made for android or apple….for long range shooting with your rifle!
here is the link “https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appliedballisticsllc.appliedballistics&hl=el”
That is a good reason to take your smartphone with you in a SHTF situation!
Good luck evreybody!!!!
jeicrash says
September 28, 2015 at 2:06 pmDecent article,
I don’t know how many times I’ve been talking to someone and they proceed to go into how many “Bookmarks” to survival information they have on their computer. Then I ask, “Do you KNOW how to do any of the things you have bookmarked”? Blank stares all around.
On the flip side I’ve seen people post videos of themselves testing out different survival skills in their backyard, and of course the trolls have a hay day with making fun of them for not being in a survival situation while practicing.
In my opinion it’s best to play boy scout in the back yard before being hit with a situation that requires real skills.
As for technology, it’s a double edged sword, you should know your enemy, in this case the rampant cell phones, wifi, and monitoring equipment built into every home.
Years ago the world feared the big brother way of life, Now we run out and spend days in line waiting to willingly bring big brother home disguised as a shiny new toy. Ironically these are the same types of people that won’t go camping because they can’t get wifi or cell reception, and don’t want to bother with cooking over a fire, But standing in line is somehow better.
Microsoft has become the biggest security threat for the average person. Their data collection agreement has been pushed to windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. They have their software pre-installed on every computer system in every store around the world. Most people won’t use something like Linux (I’m a great advocate of open source) simply because they can’t play some lame game.
Technology has made us ignorant while at the same time putting the world knowledge at our fingertips, it just doesn’t seem to get past that point.
I have notebooks and lists galore in my house of information I’ve found online, and I spend time using this information so if the time comes, I at least have something to carry me through. However, most people fail to see the silver lining, We can use technology to our advantage now, so when the time comes technology (or the lack there of) takes advantage of us, we are at least somewhat prepared.
Long live big brother!