Today a little software update nearly shut down the internet. Too much of the world runs on the same software.

Over the last year I’ve been busy insourcing. I put my movies, tv series, music, and other media like ebooks, photos, and comics on a local server at my house.

I can’t access some of the media when I’m away from home but if the internet were to crash, I can still read books, browse websites like Wikipedia and watch hours and hours of movies I have on my local network and even take them on a memory card if I did decide to go on a trip away from home.

These are luxuries, although I guess there is probably life saving info on Wikipedia.

I plan to add more capability to my home network including the ability to send and receive bitcoin payments. I also plan to build a robust backup solution and to build it on Linux which is more robust than Windows.

I’ve also started building what I call “Dickopedia” which is also referred to as a Second Brain. It’s a note taking system that stores pertinent information, a hyper personalized Wikipedia. I’ve built it in a tool called Obsidian. I keep networked and backed up copies on several devices.

The fact is, we can’t replace the internet, and we can’t change the fact that every business in the world operates primarily on Windows. However we can be more prepared for outages as these events seem to be becoming ever more frequent.

Keep some small bills at home, make sure you have checks in case payment system go down, keep your deep freezer stocked and have a propane generator and some extra propane tanks around, invest in batteries and solar panels if possible to extend the amount of time you can survive off grid. This is especially important if you live in hot or cold climates or have medically necessary equipment that needs electricity in order to function. Make sure to keep OTC and perscription medications stocked up, purified water or water filtration devices like the Sawyer Squeeze handy on case of an emergency.

We’re living in unprecedented times and technology is advancing at a rate that allows organizations and individuals never before seen capabilities. We have seen this in the effort to viruses, 3d print firearms, or to manipulate public perception using disinformation and propaganda campaigns through social media platforms.

Technology is a two edged sword and just as easily as it can be used against us, we can use it to make ourselves more autonomous and independent.

If Covid taught me anything it was that fortune favors those who are vigilant, prepared, people who maintain a clear mindset, never cave to peer pressure, are skeptical, curious, and can make informed decisions from their own independent research.

These are the qualities I strive to build and hope you will build as well.