Aunty M, I don't think that most Americans can compete on the world stage when it comes to survival of the fittest. Eating Sea gulls, snails, bugs sticks and leaves, will be easier for some than others in getting use to.

I said most Americans, not all. I think that you are correct regarding the bennefits of livng in a communal situation, under that scenario. Sorta like, what the hippies did in the 60's and 70's. Not sure if the smaller communes will be able to protect themselves from the larger more aggressive ones.

There is one area that I am more familiar with than most, and that is Alternative or preventive medicine. I practice the healing arts (Traditonal Chinese Medicine... Bastyr alumni)and currently enrolled at the Ayurveda Academy studying for my BAMS certificate. I don't think bartering will be a problem for people such as myself. There will be plenty of sick people to go around. Hospitals and pharmacies will be in short supply thereby, medicinemen as myself, will manage just fine, thank you. Health is a huge issue facing baby boomers. We have many cronic illnesses that are life threatening, without the current medical infrastucture. High Blood pressure, diabeties and mental health, will surely take it's toll, without the convenience of the local pharmacy or community health centers, that are well staffed and supplied. I didn't mention the many degenerative diseases, or the complications of obesity that is associated within this cycle of dysfunction.

I think the statement I made earlier speaks for it's self, and doesn't refute anything that you said, but only adds the X factors that were not dealt with during the great depression era. In those days, one could walk across the rivers on the backs of Salmon, as most of this countries land in those days was in the hands of American's or it's Government, and not foriegn companies and Countries, as it is now. Those foriegn companies would have their people exploiting their land, and the scavaging american's would be considered tresspassers on their land, when gathering leaves, sticks and snails,etc., in a one world scenario