BIG POTATO ONLINE

Cynical about life, serious about vegetables.

PL

What skill would I like to learn?

Let’s be honest, we’ve all thought about it. What would we actually do if the world ended? The zombie apocalypse! The first, most crucial rule to remember is this – it only takes one bite to kill you. Let me repeat that. One bite! So, when you’re faced with more than one zombie – run. Always run!

Having a rich arsenal of skills and talents is a major asset. The more you have, the better you’ll fare. It also makes you a more interesting person at post-apocalyptic campfire gatherings! I enjoy learning new things, but I still feel there are gaps in my knowledge. There are still many skills I want to learn to meet the challenge head-on when the undead start shuffling down my street.

Here is my current curriculum for the end of the world:

How to break into a car? This is a truly fascinating skill, aside from the fact you could just smash a window! But that’s not even half the battle. How do you actually start the engine without the keys? During a zombie apocalypse, this could be one of the most useful abilities to have. This is a top priority.

How to hack computers? Let’s assume we’ll still have access to electricity, somehow. How do you dig through systems or even break into poorly secured computers on a local network, without downloading advanced hacking software? Will such skills be useful during the end of the world? I have no idea. But as the saying goes, it’s better to have a skill and not need it, than to need it and not have it. Who knows, maybe the key to a hidden bunker is on some old, forgotten server?

Pickpocketing! A true urban phenomenon. It requires large crowds and tons of people carrying loads of cash – something you rarely find in quiet rural areas. Could it be useful during a zombie plague? The situation looks identical to computer hacking. I probably won’t be lifting wallets from the undead, but in the early chaos, it might come in handy. It’s all about being prepared!

How to pick a lock? Whether it’s a door lock or a padlock, having the tools and knowledge to break into locked rooms is obviously incredibly useful. This skill is a sure bet. It’s bound to come in handy. From securing a safehouse to liberating canned goods from an abandoned supermarket, this is perhaps the most practical item on my list. A paperclip and an adjustable wrench might just become your best friends.

Hunting! But not the kind with a rifle. I know how to skin a rabbit. I know how to pluck a chicken. But I have no idea how to actually catch one! My hunting strategy currently consists of hoping an animal voluntarily walks into my kitchen. This is a critical flaw in my survival plan. I need to learn how to set snares, track game, and basically do anything more active than just waiting patiently near a vegetable patch.

Of course, if the zombie apocalypse does happen, there’s always the option to simply join the horde. Then your only worry is finding fresh brains. It’s a simpler, if less dignified, career path.