As he points out, loneliness, especially over an extended period of time, would likely have a profound effect on one’s mental health. Humans are social animals. Prisoners confined in solitary isolation for a long time have a strong tendency to go insane. In Ancient Rome, exsilium (exile and banishment) was an alternative to capital punishment. Any of us might end up talking to our own version of Wilson the volleyball.
Riffing on the survival choices that galenkp’s fictional character made what might be some other possible planning options?
Electricity would not last long, but some automated processes might still work for a few days. Pump as much premium gasoline into 5-gallon gas containers as your credit card balances permit. Raid auto supply and hardware stores for Sta-Bil and similar products. Sure, you might be able to use a manual pump to draw gasoline from underground tanks, but how would you know what was premium (which Stab-Bil can keep “fresh” for more than a year) from fuel with added ethanol which starts to gum up after a few months? Also get diesel fuel, you might have to use some heavy equipment.
Stores and warehouses would of course be raided for food and supplies. The ability to pick locks might come in handy. Sure, you could just use a crowbar to open doors, but then you’d give easy access to all kinds of animals that you might not want to have a run in with upon a return visit for more supplies.
Within a few days, you’d want to start pondering an important question: Should I stay or should I go? If you lived in a cold climate, you’d want to consider moving several hundred miles closer to the equator. If you lived in an arid region, moving to someplace wetter. If you lived near the ocean in the northern hemisphere and had extensive sailing experience maybe consider a move to the southern hemisphere. Without people to monitor them and do maintenance, all nuclear power plants would fail at some point, spewing massive amounts of radioactive material. There are many more of them north of the Equator than south of it.
You’d want to be armed at all times. Dogs would go feral and start hunting in packs. Wolves, cougars, bears, and other beasties might want you as their next meal.
But loneliness would be a tough one the longer it went on. Maybe instead of talking to oneself for the sake of talking to oneself, read some passages from books aloud. Teach yourself a musical instrument. Anything to keep your mind active and thinking about something other than being alone.
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