Assume it's just after the pole shift. You and your small group of loved-ones have survived.
You have a store of food to keep you going until you can rebuild your settlement and secure
food sources. To what extent, in this difficult time, do you help other survivors in your
vicinity that are less well-prepared? How long do you continue to take people in, when every
extra mouth diminishes your food supply and deprives you of time to set up sustainable
living? When, if ever, do you stop serving others, and concentrate on serving yourself and
your group?
Two extremes: you help others unreservedly, putting your group at risk of starvation, or you
hunker down, jealously guarding your stores for three months, waiting until the issue of
helping survivors matters no longer as they have all died of starvation. You emerge to carry
on, facing less competition for scarce food resources. Is there a balance to be found between
these two extremes?
Offered by Euan.
I think the only possible way out is to find that balance, no matter how hard it may seem to be. One important factor may be to locate your survival site at a not too central location, so that you will not be found by that many people. Secondly, take in only those that:
Thirdly, in the initial critical stage, do not lose control over your site. Maintain a strong leadership until the situation becomes better, and the critical survival stage is passed. (Not very democratic, but you just cannot afford democracy at this stage.) Bottom line: Do as much as you can for as many as possible without jeopardizing the survival of others.
Offered by Jan.