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Off the Grid, but Still Online

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Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#21

Post by sliverstorm »

ctdonath wrote: post #10

Don't underestimate how much effort and devotion to the lifestyle it takes. Most of us just want a "turnkey" lifestyle, buying whatever on a whim and expecting it to just work (plug-in gadgets, packaged foods), with even our "staples" coming in such perfect condition (box of nails from Home Depot, beautiful fruits at Whole Foods, etc.). To the contrary, off-the-grid requires devotion to the act of surviving from basi…

It's not just about effort, but time as well. "Turnkey" convenience gives you time to spend on other things. For example, the more time I spend surviving on the basics, the less time I can invest in the charity I volunteer with.

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#22

Post by timmaah »

mlwarren wrote: post #18
Adaptive wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Came in to this post thinking of Joey as well. I use multiple utilities he's written. All on a small laptop and solar power. I don't know how much has changed since '12, but there is a nice summary of his infrastructure here: https://usesthis.com/interviews/joey.hess/

He mentions that his home server and internet gateway is a Sheevaplug with a wireless dongle and dialup modem. Presumably he doesn't have a landline where he lives. Can anyone comment on getting dialup access via a cell phone connection? Is that one way his setup could work?

I did that via a Nokia back in 1998. There might be a flipphone or two that could still be used in that method. I don't recall having to use any special software.

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#24

Post by sliverstorm »

ecobiker wrote: post #17

(Disclaimer: Slightly off-topic. Also, it's not my intention to belittle their lifestyle. I hope I don't come across that way.) Some of the things they need even in this disconnected lifestyle - like the mobile home, laptops, books, solar panels, batteries and even the slippers have to be made by someone doing a 9-5 job somewhere. The idea of civilization to me is to take advantage of these specialists who are really…

There is definitely an irony to people who make a show of disconnecting, but do so on the largess of society. In this piece, the guy who gets free electricity and shelter from his friend's shed. Or what I used to run into frequently, the rebel wanderer who eschews The System and couch surfs at the houses of his office worker friends.

I don't mind people who want to disconnect, but when you've got a campstove, a phone, a laptop, photovoltaic panels, a car... you're still enjoying the fruits of progress & society with the rest of us.

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#25

Post by comrh »

timmaah wrote: post #14

I've held an 8-4 developer job the last 3 years and hit up 36 different states. Right now I'm chilling at a most peaceful National Forest Campground in eastern Kentucky. http://www.watsonswander.com/assets/2015/10/IMG_6288.jpg

Did you save to make the trip or are you still working during (or both)? Were you an RVer before hand? Are you doing it alone?

So many questions, I always thought this was an interesting avenue to take when considering "working remotely".

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#26

Post by comrh »

sliverstorm wrote: post #24
ecobiker wrote: post #17

(Disclaimer: Slightly off-topic. Also, it's not my intention to belittle their lifestyle. I hope I don't come across that way.) Some of the things they need even in this disconnected lifestyle - like the mobile home, laptops, books, solar panels, batteries and even the slippers have to be made by someone doing a 9-5 job somewhere. The idea of civilization to me is to take advantage of these specialists who are really…

There is definitely an irony to people who make a show of disconnecting, but do so on the largess of society. In this piece, the guy who gets free electricity and shelter from his friend's shed. Or what I used to run into frequently, the rebel wanderer who eschews The System and couch surfs at the houses of his office worker friends. I don't mind people who want to disconnect, but when you've got a campstove, a phone…

I think the mindset is more "bring the parts you like, leave the parts you don't." I know there are some hypocritical people (especially the Anarcho-primitivism people) that have romanticized ideas but the people in this article at least just seem to like it and aren't trying to avoid all progress or society.

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#27

Post by revelation »

If you understand "off the grid" to mean "off the electricity grid", I love this project of a guy who salvaged the battery out of a Tesla and uses it together with a 45kW solar panel system to live independently of the grid:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7...

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7...

http://skie.net/uploads/landscaping-in-progress.jpg

Theres a 100+ page thread on the project here:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/34531-Plan-Off...

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#28

Post by grecy »

If anyone is interested in this way of life, I suggest moving North. It's extremely beautiful and there are way less people.

I moved to the Yukon 4 years ago, and a massive number of people live in this way. I.e. work less, own less, have way more time and live how you want. Hunt, fish, grow your own food, chop your own wood, and you can live a great life only working 20-50% time.

Also there are hardly any rules up here, and they're very weakly enforced, so you can more or less do whatever you want and "the world" will leave you alone about it.

If you go to Alaska, stay out of the big cities. They're just the same as the ones down south, but with more drugs. The small communities have all the cool people.

Photos and stories from my Yukon/Alaska adventures are at http://theroadchoseme.com

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#29

Post by OneOneOneOne »

ecobiker wrote: post #17

(Disclaimer: Slightly off-topic. Also, it's not my intention to belittle their lifestyle. I hope I don't come across that way.) Some of the things they need even in this disconnected lifestyle - like the mobile home, laptops, books, solar panels, batteries and even the slippers have to be made by someone doing a 9-5 job somewhere. The idea of civilization to me is to take advantage of these specialists who are really…

Right on. When considering lifestyle choices I ask myself how many people could live the same way. If it turns out to be a small minority before collapse, I reject it as a path for myself. To me off grid lifestyle seems a retreat from the goods of society without a commensurate benefit to self and others. As an art movement or experiment I say fine.

Re: Off the Grid, but Still Online

#30

Post by timmaah »

comrh wrote: post #25
timmaah wrote: post #14

I've held an 8-4 developer job the last 3 years and hit up 36 different states. Right now I'm chilling at a most peaceful National Forest Campground in eastern Kentucky. http://www.watsonswander.com/assets/2015/10/IMG_6288.jpg

Did you save to make the trip or are you still working during (or both)? Were you an RVer before hand? Are you doing it alone? So many questions, I always thought this was an interesting avenue to take when considering "working remotely".

Still working and saving a good amount of $$. A developer job that likes me around during normal business hours. So it is a pretty normal existence in that respect.

Just a tent camper and when we left I had never towed anything before. We were prepared and knew what to expect so had no real surprises.

Not alone. I'm married. She does a mix of writing and editing and most of the day to day logistics.

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