Can't wait!

Shiite Holy, Batman.

Hi. My name is Bill. I know a little astronomy, and I can teach flying, computer graphics, and most film and TV Production. I live in Southern California. It's good to meet you, and I'm happy to be here.

VERY thought provoking... Still wondering about it all. Wonderful post!

Yea, I can't wait either...

Bill, that is possibly the best articulation of the Tough-But-Fair strategy in the Prisoner's Dilemma that I've read to date.

It explains quite a widespread number of things--including why the world didn't blow itself up during the U.S./Soviet nuclear faceoff. Back then the U.S. had a well-justified reputation for being tough but fair; the leaders of most nations knew in their bones that the U.S. was not going to attack without reason--but if they, heaven forbid, were to use a warhead on an American city, all bets were off. That surety--the knowledge that the U.S. would use nukes only if provoked into doing so--was what kept both them and us safe.

What is keeping us safe now?

Anyway, to introductions. I'm The Pirate King (TPK works fine for short), and I know a coupla handy things: a long list of books that explain and describe why America is great, the esoteric knowledge of how to fix and serve dinner when you have nothing but a lone olive floating in a jar at the back of the fridge, random Knit and Crochet Fu, and Emergency Bug-Out Skills 101.

MadMonk here. I consider myself skilled in Windows Servers and PCs. I also can rebuild an engine in a '72 Olds Cutlass and make it purr. I am continually learning new handyman skills around my house, but as my wife will attest, I can't do laundry to save my life, unless you like wearing pink whites and shrunken garments. ;)

OK, intro!
My name is Gini, I live in Arkansas, I homeschool three children aged 17, 10, and almost 4. I can tell people all sorts of things about chickens, dogs, cats, and kids. Also husbands. ;)
I know a little about art, history and worldviews- enough to teach? Not sure. But I am always ready to research and help someone if they have a question on ANY subject.

I know a little bit about a lot of stuff, and a great deal about not much.

Bill, my dear, dear friend: we've been building Ejectia for years.

I'll introduce myself - I go by Captain Midnight, and I'm husband to the most nifty Pirate King above. As for skills--I am a fellow blogger, a karate instructor puzzled by how to teach it successfully on the web, a consumer of books and dinners crafted from a lone olive floating in a jar, and a master of keeping TPK happy. Being married to a wife who has her own cutlass means the last is a necessary survival skill.

Count me in all the way. Any skills I have including programming are at the disposal of Ejectia.

AARRGGHH!

It goes up JUST as I'm about to leave!

Paste into Word...Print...Read on the train.

- MuscleDaddy

Name: Greywar

Skills:

Intelligence Gathering, Military tactics and strategy, and Anything to do with Cisco routers or Domino's Pizza.

I'm a software engineer, a writer, and a scientist. As a tech writer, I can teach just about anybody just about anything. Maybe I can help the people who aren't exceptionally skilled writers get their points across. Or roll up good posts into a FAQ or wiki or something.

I do a lot of XML work, front end web development. I'm an old school geek. But also a molecular biologist.

And I can do laundry, too. ;)

And I like this feeling of hope that I have just reading this. It is so easy to feel alone, when it looks like everyone else wants to cheat. I love the first example of traffic. After years of CA traffic habits, I'm nearly tempted to cheat, too. But the Texan in me still wants to be polite.

Hi, I'm Stephen; usually known as sgstair on the web. I'm a self-taught Computer Programmer and Electronics Engineer, and am reasonably well known for some of my skills in some small corners of the web.
This essay has been quite interesting to read, and I'm even more excited about the possibliities than I was before reading this. I've been aware of the game theory angle for a while, but the remnant concept is new to me. As usual for this site, I'm in awe of the clarity of the writing - the core of the message is conveyed very effectively!
Overall, I'm very happy to be around with many like-minded people, and will be thrilled if I can help out in any way.

Uhh... "URL"? Do I have a "URL"?

I'm feeling sucked into the vortex...
Yes, it is nice to know I am not alone.
I have never commented on a blog before and I have been avidly reading them since the 2000 election.

Thanks for your clarity and count me in.

My biggest personal challenge is holding those on the the left side of the political spectrum in the light. Western Civ is worth saving and we cannot save it without them. They appear to at best be clueless and at worst be dedicated and intent on its destruction. I have faith that those who need to come around will and those who won't will eventually be rendered irrelevant.

I'm with you, MuscleDaddy- this WOULD go up right when I've got a ton of stuff I really should be doing other than hanging out here!

Hi, I go by LabRat, and I'm your friendly neighborhood informational dilettante. My actual field of real expertise is evolutionary biology, but I'm good at laying my hands on various resources from anthropology to history to zoology. I'm also told I'm pretty fair at verbal kung-fu- and yes, I can teach that. Other favorite topics include dogs and food science; I'm great with general behavior dogwise, but you'll want a real expert for training advice. Likewise I can tell you about the biochemistry of an egg, but find a real nutritionist if you want to go on a diet.

CaptainMidnight- can't teach karate over the web, but I bet you do have some insights into mindset and anatomy. At the very least you might be able to help people like me with not a lot of local resources around and no ability to tell a belt-factory dojo from a useful teacher of unarmed combat...

Bill: The instinct to punish a cheat is so strong that just about any social primate tested so far will opt to punish a cheater even if it means sacrificing their own maximum gain. It might actually explain why socialism/communism have such horribly persistent appeal; all resources in a monkey's world are pretty much finite. If you see some monkey bastard with more than he knows what to do with, the odds ARE in fact that he took it by some nasty method. PUNISH THE CHEAT!

We're not monkeys, but civilization seems to be the system in place for reminding us of that.

very intereshting-

I'm George. I'm a cardiovascular ultrasound technologist. I'm also an uberamateur (does that work?)photographer. So I'm taking pictures at work. I'm taking pictures at home.

I can teach ultrasound. I'm not sure how practical that is.

I can teach cameras, taking pics and, having spent hours and hours on photoshop, can teach some of that.

And maybe I can instruct on how to toe the line at being freakin' crazy without being committed.

And I don't cheat in traffic. I make room for people to get in line and try to ignore the occasional...er, frequent asshole out there.

And I obviously ramble on a lot.

I live in east tennessee, and got to this via instapundit.

No, Scarlet, you don't have to have an URL. Those of us who don't have them have non-clickable names. Nothing wrong with that.

this could have been written by ayn rand. i love it. thank you.

When I first saw the word "Remnant" in this essay, I was more excited than I believe I have ever been in my entire life (I'm a CS student, I need to get out more - I know). More than anything else, the epilogue from the first edition of Silent America has kept poking and prodding away at my mind over the years. It's great to see this idea expanded upon, it resonates with me more than anything else I have ever encountered.

Incidentally, I'm a Computer Science major going into my senior year right now. I've done a lot of web work over the years (front end coding and ugly back end stuff alike). I'm also slated to be doing some service oriented architecture work in the coming months. I no doubt know less than many of the other programmy types here, but those regions that I do understand, I like to think I can explain them pretty well. I've also gotten reasonably good at beating up websites and finding where the cracks are. I would be honored to help with Ejectia! in whatever capacity I can. The peace of mind such a community would bring to many of us cannot be overstated.

"The mature man lives quietly, does good privately, takes responsibility for his actions, treats others with friendliness and courtesy, finds mischief boring and avoids it. Without the hidden conspiracy of goodwill, society would not endure an hour."

Kenneth Rexroth in the
"Introduction to Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You"

Howdy, everyone. My name is Jimmie.

I can teach you how to read music and how to sing. If you're inclined to play the clarinet or saxophone, I can teach you that, too. I'm a music student working to become a teacher but, for the past 18 years, I've been a police dispatcher. I've also nearly earned a certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management. Oh, I was on Jeopardy! last year, also (which means I know a little about a lot but not a lot about everything)

I like to help and if there's something I know, I'll gladly share it.

I enjoyed your thoughts and thought i'd introduce myself. I'm a web developer in Los Angeles. I'm also a musician. I'd probably be better at teaching web programming than music, only because it's harder to be objective about music that programming. Would be happy to help anyone that needs help.

Hello,
My name is Bruce. I can't believe that there aren't 20 pages of comments here, but it appears that this is all somewhat fresh to the web...
Your essay was magnificent and it has filled me with happiness. I really needed to hear your message, it's wonderful not to feel alone.
I'm not sure how useful I can be to the group (cripes, I was ready to say "flock"!) I've got tons of flight time in the KC-135 Stratotanker, so if there's someone who like to learn about that... I'm pretty good at personal computer management - how to set things up, which free programs work well, installing printers, setting up wireless networks, that sort of thing.
Anyway, I'm happy to be here.

All I can do is smile.

Robert Heinlein long ago convinced me that the yeast in mankind's loaf would migrate to the stars, and would migrate often. Only the brightest and best have the stones, the energy and the sheer cussedness to risk finding a better way. While we're here, yet trapped on the same planet together, I enjoy two avocations - understanding money and understanding root meanings to words in common use. Neither have any practical value except to learn how to see past the Veil.

Count me in, brothers and Sisters. Count me in.

I'm too humble to broadcast what I can teach at this point, but is there anywhere I can post what I'd like to learn?

I know I have a ton to offer this community, but I need to get my own tail in gear first.

Expert at nothing, willing to try anything. Minorly famous (notorious?) for my flame grilled barbeque and home brew on a Sunday afternoon, making the most of the great Australian summer. Systems engineer - always trying to analyse the how and why in the muddy world around me, hence the attraction to Bill's clarity to straighten my mind.

If you want to pursue the ideas in Robert Axelrod's book, but can't find it, try METAMAGICAL THEMAS by Douglas Hofstadter, which has a long chapter on this topic. The rest of the chapters are well worth reading too, particularly "The Tale of Happiton"

I am a librarian by trade, and at the moment am looking for a new job.

If you want to pursue the ideas in Robert Axelrod's book, but can't find it, try METAMAGICAL THEMAS by Douglas Hofstadter, which has a long chapter on this topic. The rest of the chapters are well worth reading too, particularly "The Tale of Happiton"

I am a librarian by trade, and at the moment am looking for a new job.

I know that you didn't mean it as a literal question, but the bit about the "dirty bomb" brings up an interesting parallel to your main point. You see, a "dirty bomb" is a weapon which prays on peoples ignorance. Even an extremely well constructed dirty bomb would, at worst, only cause a slight rise in cancer rates. In a major metropolis (population of several million) you might see a few thousand extra cancer-related deaths, the first of which would start to occur 15-20 years after the initial explosion. Yet it's almost certain that hundreds, if not thousands, would die in the panic and rioting following the announcement that such a weapon had been detonated. In such a scenario, the true task for "The Remnant" would be simply organizing and calming people in order to save them from their own foolishness.

I believe the foundations of Ejectia already exist. I am often overwhelmed by the quality of blog comments (when the wheat is separated from the chaff).

If you aggregated the best comments on a narrow topic, you could produce a powerful treatise on that topic.

Hi my name is Sean and I am a network administrator by vocation. But I also organize volunteer buglers for military funerals. I wrote a best selling history book a few years back. And I am studying now to be a minister part time.

Why do I do these things? Because like you I have a desire to better my world. I am a very ordinary guy, who has used his few mediocre talents to comfort hundreds of grieving family members, educate and inspire thousands of readers to preserve honorable traditions, and helped dozens of lost souls embrace something greater than themselves.

I do not have unique talents. I merely have a desire to help others. You don't need great talent - just a willingness to use them. If Bill Whittle has inspired you, like he has me, take that next step. Help us build Ejectia, not just here on Bill's site, but in your own backyard too.

Hi, my name is Nancy and I live in Los Angeles. I took a blog survey this morning via Instapundit which was asking if I read blogs to find people who think like I do. I guess I must since the idea of Remnants speaks powerfully to me. I'm not so sure about Ejactia, but willing to give it a try. I'm an English major, can write, can edit, can research, and can transcribe/do production typing.

Hi, I'm one of the remnant, and I AM NOT ALONE.

Thanks for the reminder,

ProudMarineDad

I'm here, abiding, watching the winds gather and blow. My whole life has been in preparation and I stand in the wings, waiting. There is no eager postering, only the realization that forces of darkness gather and I must be ready when the time comes to act. I will be back to build as I can. -cp

Hi there; my name is Joe and I have only non-practical things I can offer; how to write passable poetry and short prose fiction, how to do comparative religion, how to develop a good theoretical grasp of the philosophy of science, a communicable understanding of philosophical movements such as phenomenology, Piaget's genetic epistemology, semiotics, memetics, hermeneutics, structuralism, functionalism, pragmatism, etc. Not very useful, I know, and I probably won't get many takers on such offerings, but it's what I've got - that is, what I enjoy doing and am pretty good at. Am anxious to find out what others have to offer, and look forward to absorbing it.

Bill: Have been visiting your site for more than a year....count me in. I can build a house from start to finish. Am hoping John Galt will visit this web site!
Good luck.

I tell stories, stories about people and the challenges they met, in our history. That is my strength, and over the last year it has become my obsession. About nine months ago I was laid off from a corporate job, which I didn't really mind because it meant that I could stay at home and write... and I have the feeling that in a time to come soon, we will need our stories, to inspire and hearten us, and to remind us of the work that our ancestors did to secure our safety and security against mortal peril. Someone who does not know our history is alone, and drifting in a void. Virgil wrote "With such great labor was built the Roman people."

So, I write and tell stories. We have to remember.

Hi,
My name is David. By profession, I'm an audiologist (ear testing guy). I also know a fair amount about basic math, statistics, and physics. I want to see our society survive for the sake of my kids.

I also find the idea of Ejectia to be inspiring.

I'm a typical lurker, but willing to help out. A chemical engineer by training, a software type by experience. Which means I have an acquaintance with lots of science and engineering topics, and lots of programming languages. Most likely to be useful with data analysis, database creation/use, etc. Weak on web programming, but willing to learn.

Had to say HI! here before I head over to the "building" post.
I'm daddyquatro/Stan. As the name implies, I'm good at making babies; not a teachable skill.
But, I like to think, I'm also good at raising them (don't reward cheating but be willing to forgive)
Gini, you're my first mentor. I need to get my kids out of public school!
What am I most proud of?

This may make no sense now but I hope it will in the future.

I'm the guy who discovered Dougman's Butt.

Howdy. My name is Ben, I'm a law clerk in Shreveport, Louisiana(no, we do not have the Napoleonic Code, but we do use a civil code method of law).

I'm 30, I felt very alone, but now less so. As to Ejectia--

And I'm so freaking in.

WBJ

P.S. "Tribes" is, perhaps, the best essay I've ever read.

Hello,
My name is Bruce. I can't believe that there aren't 20 pages of comments here, but it appears that this is all somewhat fresh to the web...
Your essay was magnificent and it has filled me with happiness. I really needed to hear your message, it's wonderful not to feel alone.
I'm not sure how useful I can be to the group (cripes, I was ready to say "flock"!) I've got tons of flight time in the KC-135 Stratotanker, so if there's someone who like to learn about that... I'm pretty good at personal computer management - how to set things up, which free programs work well, installing printers, setting up wireless networks, that sort of thing.
Anyway, I'm happy to be here.

What a wonderful idea! Not being alone in a world of cynical politicians who steadfastly ignore the proverbial broken window. Count me in -- I can teach how to fly gliders or raise bees, can write and edit, or can share ideas. Sounds to me like the remnant needs ideas most of all right now. I also have some experience in political organizing, and it strikes me that for the remnant to be successful it needs not only to stand up for what is right; it also needs to raise the cost of rushing to the offramp in the fastlane and then cutting in to the exit ramp traffic. Or am I being vindictive in this desire? I keep telling myself vindictiveness has no place in an enlightened life, but sometimes it just plain feels right. Good job, Bill: I'm enthused. F

Wow, I feel the temptation to post something deeply profound. Unfortunately, right now, all I have is bathroom humor, and I will spare everyone of that. I am heretic environmental scientist (GHG, global warming denier). Spent the past decade helping to clean Super Fund sites in CA. Not an expert, but can pretend with the best of them. Looking forward to seeing how this transpires. Thanks for the opportunity.

Hello, my name is Tracy and before the unavoidable confusion sets in I am a man. I don't usually comment at blogs, my ability to express what I'm thinking isn't the best in the world, but I decided to say hello plus a little more.

I suppose I am one of those jack of all trades master of none kind of people. Most notable I suppose is the fact that I built the house that I'm living in now, so I can answer general questions about that. Don't know how well I would do at teaching it though.

Really enjoyed the post and it is nice to know there are others out there that feel the same as I do.

I get oil from the ground. I also write, but nothing like you do.

I found myself reminded of the practical stuff the hero's dad taught him in Heinlein's Have Spacesuit Will Travel. Or maybe we're establishing a Remnant's Freehold?

A bit overwhelming but great concept. Although I think some went over my head, I get the idea and am all for it. Hey Bruce, I've got 26 years fixing KC-135 Stratotankers. Geez, over half my life now. Ouch! Remember, keep the greasy side down and the clean side up, plus...if it's on the ground, it's from the plane parked here before yours and if it's on the plane, it's within limits! Oh, and one last piece of aviation (or life) wisdom...you start out with two bags in life. The first one is experience which is empty and the other bag is luck which is full. The idea is to fill the empty bag with experience before the full bag of luck becomes empty.

Thanks for inviting me in!
I have a limited set of skills and little to no ability to teach any of them. Perhaps I just lack the skill of self evaluation. My momma says I'm smart and handsome but I thinks she's just being nice. I do have some skills in the area of snark and smarminess(which only seems usefull for amusing myself)
I'll be standing by since I've been well and trully addicted to this site since I discovered it some years back.

Very cool, guy. As, after reading you for some time, I'd expected.

Hi,
I am Flicka,as in "My Friend.
I don't know that anything I do is "transferable" as a skill,but as my name implys I know a lot about animals.I also do genealogy and am blog obsessed. Looking for the answers to counter the decline...

Greetings everyone, I'm Dana (not a nic) and a guy (hi Tracy) and really do want to ride a thundering chair to the stars, so I am on board Ejectia. In 30 years of working I avoided specialization (it's for bugs)but a common thread through all the various jobs was sharing what I knew with others, helping them learn their jobs or training them to do mine. One brief stint in front of a class, (PC's in the early 80's) taught me formal teaching wasn't likely a career choice. I'm an electrician, currently selling electrical parts and supplies for a multi-national.

Hi All,

My name is Meg and I'm a technical support manager, so like several folks who've already posted, I'm a generalist in the technology field as well as in most other areas of life. I also tend to be good with people, finding that I still like most of the folks I come across even after several years in support. Lastly, I make really good chocolate chip cookies which certainly can be taught. Ejectia as a community shall not go hungry on my watch (as long as everyone is happy to eat only chocolate chip cookies).

Practical marksmanship.

Field medical.

Good folks - skilled and straightforward.

Very affordable.

Have gun?

We'll travel.

Group email at westernshooters@gmail.com

Bill,
Thank you for posting this essay. I've been reading you for a while, and have never commented. _You Are Not Alone_ is the first explanation of why illegal immigration hurts us that I have really grasped. I'm a (corporate, not tax) accountant, and I love business analysis. I can cook, too. Ejectia sounds wonderful.

As luck would have it there are many similar communities on the web already. Albeit somewhat specialized ones. There are forums for helping you fix your house, car, and turbo-molecular vacuum pump. As well as cook a better dinner and avoid counterfeit merchandise on ebay.

A lot of times people join simply to ask a few questions or search the archives to find a fix to their problem. Its like a collection of little independent communities as opposed to one large all encompassing one.

I'm in. I have always wondered where the rest of you were. I only hope I can live up to that statement.
I am good at finding new mechanisms. I will now give away my identity to my enemies. I hold tow US Utility Patents one for a silly new cap for motor oil bottles and another for a brake for a persoanl watercraft.
There. Let the trolls find me. They will be the first to point out how retaliatory I can be.
I am also good at personal advice. Not the original stuff, but making sense of what we should already know about right and wrong. That's why I look up to Bill. He's damn good at it. I can only teach what I know.

My name is Stephen. I am a java programmer and I start law school this fall.

Bill - I wrote you about a week ago telling how much I like your new site and your writings.(thanks for the nice response) Can you PLEASE put in a printer-friendly set-up in order to print out your essays? I don't like reading long things at my computer, would like to print out this new one to read on the couch. I tried sending it to myself in email, but it's all in blue and also it prints out too tiny to read. Can you get some tech person to do this for you? Thanks for the things you write that make us all think and also help us know that we are indeed, not alone.

I'm a lawyer who believes the purpose of the law is to solve problems, not to transfer wealth. I can do a fair number of other things. I'm a big fan of Bill Whittle's thinking and will happily participate in his proposed site, if allowed to.

Great article, as always. I don't know if I'm considered "unfit for service", but I'm of the opinion that the call to "Have Character" and "Love Your Country" will fall as flat as it did in 1918 without a larger moral context. Yes, I mean the "J" word. For the well-educated Spartan or Athenian your appeal would have been all that was needed, but he wasn't bombarded with a 24/7 stream of well-crafted messages to live for one's self and to give in to short-term gratification. We need something bigger and more important (and reasoned and real) to organize and direct our lives.

In any case, I want to thank you for bringing clarity to so many issues that have been portrayed as murky or insoluble by the fatally nuanced left. I call it the Star Trek Phenomenon: in "The Next Generation" series in particular, whenever a situation has many explanations, the most morally ambiguous or complicated approach is portrayed as the most "correct" one. Like so much else in modern culture, it is well-intentioned leftist advocacy that attempts re-educate us, short-circuiting and making us feel ashamed of our natural desire to see things in a morally unambiguous light.

But enough of that. Kudos! It was worth the wait.

Bill, thanks so much for the hard work it took to turn out this essay. I'll be applying the The Prisoner's Dilemma to a real-world demonstration in my classroom. It will fit hand and glove with the unit I teach on pacifism/non-violence. Axelrod has certainly put the science back in social science.

In regard to cheaters, I teach my students that the basis for any civilized society is voluntary compliance with the law. It's part of a short unit I teach on Rousseau and the nature of the social contract. Why do we in America voluntarily stop at traffic signals? No, it's not fear of getting a ticket. We do so because we recognize that voluntary compliance gets everyone through the intersection safer and faster. I contrast this with societies where compliance exists only by coercion. The society that plays by the rules is orderly, wealthy and free. The other type of society tends to be chaotic, unfree and poor.

Regarding The Remnant, I'll let you in on a secret that a few good teachers understand. We throw a lot of content at students over the course of an education, much of it irrelevant to anything they might need to know in the "real world". But the best of us are aware that a single word or idea, a reaction by us to a certain situation, or the way we model ourselves as adults, can have a profound affect on a young adult. Sometimes it will stick with that kid for the rest of his life. I am sure every reader of this post can look to his own education and site an example. But like the prophet, we never know what spark lit the fire. We know that it happens, just never when or how. So we persevere in the classroom knowing that the seeds we sew will eventually bear fruit, often in in unexpected ways.

I am, Mark Paules (aka Basil Riverdale), and I teach history, geography, ethics, government and economics. My gifts include using analogy and metaphor to bring clarity out of a mental tangle. I sometimes rant for the shear delight of providing rhetorical flourish to otherwise mundane ideas. So, slap me if I ever get out of hand. I am your friend and colleage in this place.

~Mark Paules - Teacher

I really like this essay. I have found that you can write about things that I cannot seem to put into words. I am one of those people that feels deep within that there is something wrong within our society today, yet I don't really know what to do. And I often wonder why others don't seem to see the same things. Now I see that I am not alone. Count me in.

It strikes me as sad that I thought that if you had written "STRAIGHT furry amputee latex fetishes" that would be considered intolerant....

It seems sometimes like there's some kind of COMPETITION going on on the other side as to who can be the most tolerant of the most outre' field. And the real experts at the game are out there advocating tolerance for Pedophiles and terrorists.

Hi, my name is Kender, CEO of Wide Awakes Radio. I know a bit about internet radio, a lot about horses, especially the racing variety and am a master of Snark-Fu and a follower of ST.FU, patron saint of sarcasm.

My name is Hurricane Mikey. I live in Las Vegas, and deal cards and dice for a living.

I'm good at basic Options trading, and used to make a living doing it and teaching it.

One thing I *can* do is teach, although mostly my interests run to sailing, premium rum, fine cigars, and trying to come up with a plan to spend more time sailing, drinking, and smoking than working.

I don't know what, if anything, I bring to the party.

Mikey

This community you seek to build already may exist in nascent form. The place is the AR15.com community. "ARFcom" is more than just a gun board. It is a, well, I just can't describe it. You would have to see it for yourself. By its nature, I would hazard to guess that a large proportion of the membership are already consciously or unconsciously part of the "Remnant", as you call it.
No need to re-invent the entire wheel if the axle and hub already exist...

Doc H.

Hey Everyone,

I'm MuscleDaddy (MuscleBaby gave me that one when she was 5).

By way of Career, I'm one of the people who "Tracks The Terrorist Funds" - which means 'heavy on the research and critical-thinking' - and I can teach that.

Other skills more immediately hands-on:
I've been a martial arts instructor for all of my adult life -
I've got a good, personal relationship with metal : welding, fabricating, forgework -
Much the same with wood - building, joinery, turning (not as good as w/metal) -
Machines : I love machines -
I've been described as one-helluva-shot (especially when I don't have time to think about it)
Some advanced first aid & field medevac.

I can improvise... nearly anything, in a pinch.

I remember everything.

I've spent a fair amount of time in police stations, explaining my actions, because historically I'm The Guy Who Just Can't Stay Out Of It.
(no arrests, so I guess my snap-judgements must be okay)

On Remnants: Character is what you do/think/say when you don't have time to think about it and think no-one's likely to be watching anyway.

You do not know, and will never know, who the Remnant are, nor what they are doing or will do.

...Reminds me of a line from Silverado:
"The thing about Payton, is that you never know what he's gonna care about."

1-10-100: We are each 1 - We touch 10 & they touch 100.

Let's see what they're gonna care about.

- MuscleDaddy

Pirate King, you asked, "what is keeping us safe now?"

The simplest answer: Roughly 1/2 a million men and women of the armed forces deployed throughout the world, trading tit-for-tat with those who would kill us...and doing it so YOU don't have to.

Hi Bill and everybody

My name is Miguel, I'm 46 and I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. And today I've decided to lurk no more.

To me, the Eject blog has been the source of awe and inspiration since I first found it a couple of years ago (through LGF). Even when I had read most of the essays online, I felt compelled to buy Silent America thru a friend in the States. This is a book I want my kids to read when their English becomes good enough.

The recent post about the Remnant made me think about the Lamedvavniks, a similar concept from Jewish mysticism. They're 36 "hidden" persons, inside whom God preserves the world's essence when everyone else fell into darkness and barbarism.

Also it reminded me of the self similarity on some fractal images, that can be recreated from a single "seed".

Food for thought, for sure...

Anyway, count me in from this corner of the world, where a candle is definitely needed.

Computers knowledge, Public Speaking and Analytical Problem Solving skills is what I have to offer...

Kind regards,
Miguel

PS : Bill, I always wanted to thank you for the gift of letting me know about P.J.O'Rourke.

We throw a lot of content at students over the course of an education, much of it irrelevant to anything they might need to know in the "real world".

I'm with Stephen Dutch (seen his stuff?); nothing is irrelevant, because life is an ongoing pop quiz. Every choice is an impromptu exam you may or may not have studied for- and the ability to pull a fact or a concept out of memory and apply it to your current circumstance (which requires that you UNDERSTAND what you learn) is what will get you through it.

That's why I personally am excited about this place; as C.N. Fuller pointed out, information repositories are all over the web, but they are all specialized. (And I am a denizen of many of them.) The cross-pollination of ideas and perspectives is what interests me.

Also, to the fellow who can teach philosophy (shall I call you Joe or Salamantis?): you are FAR from irrelevant here. One of the biggest battles as I see it is to reclaim philosophy- which is DAMNED important, as it is one of the systems we use to organize morality itself- from the people whose goal is obfuscation rather than clarity.

The stories are also important. (Hi, SgtMom! I remember you from the Sgt Stryker group blog.) I've always felt that the moment we became human as opposed to merely clever apes was when we used language to tell each other stories- about who we were and what we were and where we were going- as opposed to using it to tell each other which way the herds were going or where the best fruit was.

Warmest Greetings to all!!!

My name is Paul, and I am currently posting from Shajing (town), Shenzhen (City), China, (People's Republic of China). I will be here for 2 more weeks, then in the Atlanta area (home) for about a month, then back for a month, and so on for a while...

I am a business systems analyst, and specialize in the manufacturing planning and execution areas of software utilization. I help companies implement ERP Systems.

I can "teach" and consult on the above, of course, but also have interest in amateur astronomy, cosmology, physics, math, and much, much more. Don't feel qualified to teach the interests, but love to discuss...

I have a deep and abiding respect for Western Civilization, and hope to defend her from the various assaults she is under. I have realized, from Mr. Whittle's essays, that perhaps the best way to do that is to simply be the best I can be. It is certainly safe to say that my virtues need some attention and work.

The self-improvement potential from Ejectia! looks to be astounding. And it looks like it will be a FUN place, too! Come on in, and join in the personal, community, and civilizational growth!

Waiting to meet y'all there!!!

I can fix stuff with a soldering iron.

I am an independent computer techno geek, dedicated to making technology work for my customers. When taking a break from bit wrangling and Unix system administration, I rescue and restore vintage military and ham radio electronic equipment, especially shortwave radio communication gear, some of which is expected to survive the nuclear blast EMP in Bill's neighborhood.

Count me in.
Thanks for all the insights over the years Bill, we have missed your essays dearly the last few years.
Sometimes it seems that the most important thing for intelligent people to do is to constantly repeat what most thinking people consider obvious. We need to continually repeat these things to counter the constant leftist propaganda spouted from almost every other outlet.

We need to remember that we are not alone. People like Bill, and others, have a knack for putting ideas into words that resonates and inspires regular people. The same ordinary people who make America, and other parts of the world, great.
I am ready to help out where I can. In my career I have specialized in Civil Engineering - water resources, distribution and collection - but my degree is in Environmental Engineering. I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies that occupy my non-working hours, including photography, computers, home improvements/repair, bicycling, camping, hiking, fishing, etc. Most of my talents pale in comparison to the abilities of the other members of this loose confederation of like-minded individuals.

The most amazing thing about this post is the civility of the commenters. Where is the vitriol? Truther spam? Name Calling? Just the comments here are a clear example of an amazing community.

Greets, my name is Pete. IT, Shooting Guns, and ADHD. Life is terrific!

At risk of revealing a flaw in my reading/comprehension skills, I have to ask. Is it really possible to consciously choose to be part of this "Remnant" and doesn't the awareness of it's members effectively dampen the very "organic-ness" of it?

I just passed my 66th birthday. Seems so old when I write it down but I don't feel that way. I long to be a sheepdog. Since I can't, I write letters and prepare care packages for those who really are true sheepdogs.

Mark Paules - teacher...

Says it all.

So far, I think I like Matt's skill is the best. (5/21, 4:15PM)

I feel there's a pyramid of knowledge where at the peak you know everything about nothing, and at the base you know nothing about everything. I try to be closer to the bottom knowing a little about a lot of stuff.

I worked on computer servers, application support, and nuclear power plant instrumentation, but am currently "occupationally challenged". Have a private pilot certificate and instrument rating. Was working on the commercial cert., but the school & I parted ways. I also made the web site for our local Experimental Aircraft Assn. chapter (Link below.)

I start ridiculously complicated projects around the house. I built the New Yankee Workshop's gazebo, and they posted pictures of it where you order the plans on their site.

Right now I'm looking to start a business. Got an idea and am starting to write the business plan. One concern that's been bugging me for the past few weeks is that it can't be done by myself. Reading this site has got me thinking that I've got to make the effort to expand my circle of contacts. It's really not that difficult.

Count me in.
Motorcycle mechanics and metal machining is my passion, racing dirtbikes is my hobby, Designing trussed roofs and light gauge steel framed housing is my business. I can teach all three as well as cooking pretty well and having some skills as a DJ and record producer.
I'd really like to learn to play the bass guitar better than my current hunt and peck standard..

Tabletop Role-playing Adventure Design.

Novelist in thriller, and SF (and working on being able to write almost anything...except romance.)

Extremely quick at setting design...what most people would probably think of as counterfactuals, but its more of a cousin to that.

Futurist.

As to what the recent comment about organizing Remnants not working, let me say, put Service to God as first in your life, and you'll awaken the Remnant in your heart, and you'll probably find yourself going into wild and crazy places because God tends to stretch his followers. If you do this, in sincerity, the organization sterility which you seem to fear will be less problematic.

This reminded me of my pastor growing up explaining what "salt of the earth" meant in the Bible. That a few good people aligned against thousands basically keep evil at bay. Just like a little salt protects meat from rotting. Without the salt (remnant) society would implode. Those teachings never left me even now at almost 50 years of age. I think you are on to something.

Sending this article to my kids and grandkids. They are the future. I am a retired USMC Captain and can teach a number of things.

Great article - makes you THINK

Sending this article to my kids and grandkids. They are the future. I am a retired USMC Captain and can teach a number of things.

Great article - makes you THINK

Hi, I'm Rex and I am a real estate appraiser. I can teach that. I live in rural Mississippi and feel that if the electricity goes out, I can survive. I am a hunter and blogger (which I love) and have enjoyed your sane words and sense of community for some time. Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone.

Bill, you had me at Hello.

Chase, if you're manning the Lounge, I am a little embarrassed at defacing the brand new stall. I forgive myself the transgression by the understanding that it was writ upon a virtual Etch-A-Sketch.

The little angel on my shoulder whispered that into my ear.

Er, Dougman, nothin but net...

I love music, consume lots and produce little. Don't mind chatting about that sometime, but something else is coming.

Paul Dow,
"So far, I think I like Matt's skill is the best. (5/21, 4:15PM)"
Good catch, dude! Things are going so fast, I missed that one.

Hi,
I am a 'sheepdog'.
I served 7 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy.
(Deck Officer, Navigator, Chief Engineer)
I have worked for over 15 years in retail credit.
I also have over 10 experience in retail.

What can I bring to Ejectopia?

Familiarity with Western Civilization and its values (and value)--a couple of Liberal Arts degrees worth.
Familiarity with PC and diversity (and the Gay/Women's/Urban/XX Studies movements) but not adherent to these as "equal" to the Greater Received Culture that binds us *all* together in this country. I can teach it, too.
I can teach writing, having done it at the college level for a while. Good communication and good thinking is necessary for a successful state.
Outdoor experience--living in the woods is fun!
Celticist (modern and past)--languages, history, art, literature and music.
Conservative with a foot in the Libertarian camp.
Some leatherwork on the side.

Got room for me there?

After reading Bill's idea my head nearly exploded, as if every single neuron fired off in simultaneous agreement. How could I not be on board this ?
I guess I'm a relative youngster although I do believe I can bring a lot to the table. I have a degree in computer engineering, work in the field of industrial control systems and server full time in my country's uniform. I like nothing better than to sit down and craft a computer program, either in a language I have never used before or one that I know extensively. I love dogs, I have two of my own. I believe in ideas such as courage and honor and selflessness. I'm a proud Aussie, and to anyone from anywhere who wishes to visit this fine country of mine I can tell you anything you wish to know, and if I don't know it myself I will find it.
I haven't decided yet what I hope to learn from this endeavour, only that I will learn whatever I can.

Greetings -

Upon reading this post I was reminded of, and commend to you, the book "After Virtue" by Alasdair MacIntyre (the book's content is actually opposite of that of what the title might suggest: McIntyre is arguing for the virtues, in a period "after", he believes, their content has been lost and confounded).

I don't agree with everything he writes, but it's very much worth reading and I learned much from it - and he was writing in the same vein as you are.

V/R,

SGT Ruhland, James H.
8th Squadron, 10th U.S. Cavalry
4th BCT, 4ID(M)

Hello, all. My name is Lance Salyers, and I live in SW Ohio. I'm a lawyer by license, and a criminal prosecutor by trade, which is all I've ever used my law degree for. In other words, if you have questions about crime, law enforcement, or the criminal justice system, I can help you. As for questions about wills, trusts, taxes, property lines, and everything else that is the civil practice of law: sorry, can't help ya.

Teaching? I don't know about that -- that's my wife's calling. However, I do have stories, and enjoy telling them: about justice and truth and courage; villany, barbarism, and abuse. Yes, folks, there are barbarians within the walls, only they didn't scale them -- they were raised inside them.

"My gifts include using analogy and metaphor to bring clarity out of a mental tangle. I sometimes rant for the shear delight of providing rhetorical flourish to otherwise mundane ideas. So, slap me if I ever get out of hand. Mark: I couldn't have said it better myself, so I didn't. Which means I guess I'm also good at finding ways to not reinvent the wheel, so to speak. :-)

Beyond my professional expertise, I dabble in html and digital graphics, though nowhere in the league of those already assembled.

Lastly, but not leastly, I've been a father a short time, a husband a lot longer, and a Christian my whole life. These, too, are open topics for my discussion.

Bill: as you know, I used to blog until the activity cost me dearly. In the nearly two years since, I've never commented on a blog out of fear. That changed about a week ago, all due to the clarity, vision, and goodness of your voice. Thank you.

Otto,
Translation, please!
I wasted about an hour at work today trying to figure that out. Is "Blastofarti" really Latin?

PS I left a note for you on "Building Ejectia!"

Hi Bill,

Most provoking article I've read in a good long while. I sent it to my wife and eldest son, and will be curious to get their takes one it. I can teach how not to sing or dance (like the karate guy, just how to do that over the web is a bit of a stumper), can teach poetry and logic 101 (if your principles keep beating the living snot out of each other depending on situational convenience, it's how you raised them, fool), and bits of this and that. I believe I can still learn. Adding this to my favorites so I hope to visit your buildings as they rise and spread. Don't recall that you mentioned a bar, harrumph.

JB

Hello, Remnant!

I am the co-author and designer of the blog/website http://www.britsattheirbest.com/
(the worst having been thoroughly covered elsewhere). We feature a Liberty Timeline, Science Timeline, heroes, artists, entrepreneurs, and we keep building our files. Our idea is this. On a spring hike not too long ago we talked about how good it would be to read about Greeks at their best, Tibetans at their best, Italians, Czechs, Americans. Everyone brings the people they know and love and shares them and we end up loving and standing by people who once were strangers.

We propose a place high in the mountains (no valley without mountains) where the Remnant who lived in the past can be remembered and turned to for wisdom and inspiration. . .

We can contribute the website brits.

We've talked about the virtues (we also call them powers) at --http://www.britsattheirbest.com/brits_around_the_world/w_a_few_ideas.htm
For the Brits these powers came from the best of the Classical and Judaeo-Christian traditions. There are other sources for other peoples. Tell us about them. Create a hall, a garden, a view in that castle where men and women and children can be inspired, and strengthened.

We'll listen, contemplate, act.

Hoping to meet you again, and wishing us all the best, Cat

Sorry to drop back in guys, but I had to share this bit.

TBinSTL asked:
Is it really possible to consciously choose to be part of this "Remnant" and doesn't the awareness of it's members effectively dampen the very "organic-ness" of it?

I don't think it's so much choosing to be a part of the Remnant, as like knowing like when the whole thing starts circling the drain - more knowing that something needs to be done and knowing that you're going to try even though you know the odds are against any chance of success.

I fear we may be closer to that circling that we may want to believe - and we're just now looking around to see who's standing, who's running ad who's choosing not to pay attention.

Which brings me to one of my favorite parts by one of my favorite SF Authors - which I now share with you as illustration:

The dream is always the same:
We're trying to make our escape from Hell, millions of us streaming down the endless rows of gym lockers, past the searing lava showers, toward the glowing Open sign, and safety.
Behind us, the demons come.
Some are clouds of acid fog, others are huge wolves or curiously mutated cats.
They're all chasing us, and they're all getting closer, and we're not all going to escape.
"We'll hold then here," Karl Cullinane shouts.
"Who stands with me?" The crowd rushes away leaving some of us behind...

...and the crowd rushes away - who's left?

- MuscleDaddy

I've worked in a printing shop for 17 years, and am familiar with all aspects of pre-press work. But no way would I call myself a "graphic artist". I just churn stuff out.

I'm pretty well-organized and have attention to detail. I'm a perfectionist, but that can sometimes be self-limiting, e.g., "the perfect is the enemy of the good".

What am I good at and what can I teach? I'm kind of stumped. Those are pretty sobering questions.

I know a little bit about everything but nothing much about anything.

Hey everyone. I'm Charlie. 30 years old...Property Manager...could help you with real estate advice and tenant/landlord issues. I also own and run my own karaoke shows, so I can help with electronics, audio visual, and DJ questions. I would love to continue to learn film/theater, and also get some debating practice. I'm in Bill!!!

Hey everyone. I'm Charlie. 30 years old...Property Manager...could help you with real estate advice and tenant/landlord issues. I also own and run my own karaoke shows, so I can help with electronics, audio visual, and DJ questions. I would love to continue to learn film/theater, and also get some debating practice. I'm in Bill!!!

Hey everyone. I'm Charlie. 30 years old...Property Manager...could help you with real estate advice and tenant/landlord issues. I also own and run my own karaoke shows, so I can help with electronics, audio visual, and DJ questions. I would love to continue to learn film/theater, and also get some debating practice. I'm in Bill!!!

Otto, daddyquatro, Is that you? I feel like a 5 year old in the crowd at the ballgame. F5 button just popped off... again!

Dougman, I can't event find the window here tonight to complain about the view out the front window in The Chase Lounge.

BTW: Anybody know where Chase is? I think he is going to need to build out a bit.

Great post. I shall print it out and look at it again.

LEt me quibble with your immigration example though.

Millions of Americans from big business to Gulf Coast Homeowners ravaged by Hurricanes to Moms hiring Nannys have hired illegal Aliens. They have profited off their labor. Now since they have been doing this for 30 years there is a problem. Many of these ALiens have roots here and in fact have American Children. Solution- Deport or starve all these people across the border now that we and our neighbors have used them to help us individually(like my neighbor) or as a job force to help fuel the Economy.

Get our cake and not have to deal with the consequences. Well most of us that is.

THose Cheaters do win do they not in your scenario?

JH
Louisiana

biglsusportsfan@yahoo.com

I have never posted a response before on any blog before. I was moved to take action after reading Bill's comments. I do not believe I KNOW we are are connected thru energy. We are all suppose to be here posting and learning and thinking. I am a real estate investor and and also remodel bathrooms. I would be honored to answer any questions in these areas. I am so excited and proud to live in a country that allows me to do whaterver I can dream up. Count me in. I am ready to take back this country and make it truly free again. I have found a home. Thanks you Bill

Not nearly as talented as so many others here, but I have an amateur interest in meteorology and anti-statism. I can use a rifle and a chainsaw, know my way around the kitchen,and can make Excel do some pretty interesting things. Delighted to be part of this community.

Hello there. Very interesting post. I have some skills in web design and javascript/java programming.

My primary interest though is in the social rules that will govern this. The nice thing about the Prisoner's Dilemma is that that betrayal is obvious, there is a clear method of retaliation, and the retaliation is (almost by definition) proportional.

In the case of Ejectia, how is betrayal defined, how do we ensure that the retaliation is appropriate? Will there be judges of some sort to adjudicate these things.

Making a metaverse that is more than just a combination meat market/porn paradise is going to be an interesting project.

Good stuff Bill. Thanks.

I'm an Adobe After Effects and 3D animator. I've also been working with Adobe Photoshop for about ten years.

Like most people here I have a deep love of history. A knowledge of the past that has helped to keep me grounded for the past seven years.
I also love the history of American motion pictures and classic animation. I can watch a Looney Tunes scene and tell you who directed it, and in what year it was made, within one year. That skill always impresses the ladies. (Okay, not at all, really.)

I know enough to know how little I know.

Hi, Monster here. I'm a computer techie by trade, with a strong background in mathematics and hard sciences. I just turned 46, and had the good sense to listen to my late father talk about what things were like when he was a lad. This historical perspective informs me that government high school students today do not study subjects that were required when my father was a student. I have come to the conclusion that this is part of a deliberate 'dumbing down' of the populace to prevent them from the intellectual awareness that could spark them joining The Remnant of Civilization.

Perhaps one of my best strengths is in breaking down complex knowledge and repackaging it in terms that the non-technical person finds accessible. Because my parents insisted that their children speak proper English, with correct spelling and usage, I can proofread the work of others.

I understand that I'm a dinosaur in this respect: Most people think that these things are unimportant. I beg to differ. I