So said Mr. Heinlein.
So said Mr.(?) Billiam.
So, what do all people need to know? What useful information should be learned by all?
A pre-emptive eff-you to everyone who only lists something. You need to at least give a reason for the need of the knowledge, and/or a groovy website where such knowledge can be obtained or is described in detail.
Why, everyone should know how to play a musical instrument, of course! That guy didn’t even mention that. Playing music exercises the brain and stimulates many parts of the brain that apply to other areas of life. Learning a musical instrument requires discipline that will also apply to other areas.
Every driver should, at the very least, know how to change a tire. If you are responsible enough to operate a 2,000 lb. machine at 60 MPH, you should be responsible enough to be able to perform basic roadside service.
Change a tire
Prepare a meal
Catch a fish
Make fire
Write your name in the snow
Everyone should know how to write a proper business letter. Just go to planetfeedback.com to see how many don’t.
deffinitly first aid, basic and advanced rioting skills (overturning cars, etc.) are of course neccisary in case your college team should ever win a championship.
Actually, I’ve been using RAH’s listing as a guide for quite some time.
Of course, Mr. Long had something like 4000 years to get his experiences in, so I’ve got a ways to go.
Write well. Play an instrument. Speak a foreign language fluently. Perform basic first-aid. Throw a ball. Fire a bow&Arrow. Break into a foreign embassy taken siege by 50 armed terrorist undetected, disable each and every terrorist, disarm their nuclear device, break out undetected, All without messing up the hairdo.
And make good a cup of tea.
Everyone should be able to:[ul]
[li]remember and be able to repeat a course between two places.[/li][li]be able to unambiguously describe that couse to others.[/li][li]understand whether someone means them good or ill. [/li][li]make a decision without agonzing theatrically over it.[/li][/ul]
The “bizarre” section looks interesting…
tie at least a few different knots (square knot, bowline for example). very useful for tying things down for transport, putting up tents, maybe even saving a life.
use basic hand tools safely and effectively (saw, hammer, drill) for simple home repairs.
bait a fish hook and clean/gut a fish
sharpen a knife. Nothing more dangerous than a dull knife.
cook over a campfire.
Read
Look confident / capable
Fit in when appropriate
Stand out when appropriate
Understand when to do which
I say if you don’t know how to post to the SDMB, then you’re not really intelligent.
Everybody should know how to use the big boy/girl potty properly, and how to adapt when you’re in another country that requires you to squat over a hole in the ground or pay in order to relieve yourself.
And, everybody needs to learn how to laugh at themselves and to apologize to others.
Every person should know how to be civil. And eff-me, because I ain’t giving you a reason. Just as everyone should know how to be civil, it should be common knowledge why.
Admit when they’ve made a mistake and take responsibility for it. This one doesn’t need any amplification, but many people either can’t or won’t do it.
Offer praise for a job well done. Simple praise is a great motivator.
Swim. Even if you live in the middle of the Sahara, you may fall into a mirage or something and need to swim to shore.
As someone mentioned earlier, change a tire.
Perform the Heimlich manuever. The most scared I’ve ever been in my life was when my daughter choked on a piece of hamburger. The Heimlich saved her life.
Ooops, meant to delelte that here.
I agree with just about everything here (although I really don’t want to butcher a hog), but here are a few more.
[ul]
[li]Figure out how to work things by READING THE INSTRUCTIONS![/li][li]Patiently explain anything you know to a novice[/li][li]Plant a garden[/li][li]Harvest the crop and store the produce[/li][/ul]
1.Use a candy bar to stop an acid leak
2.Use a toy plane to round up crooks
3.Use magnesium oxide to determine direction of bullet holes
4.Use an iron bar to turn a fire hydrant into a magnet
5.Use cactus juice to power a transistor radio
6.Use gunpowder and bandana to open locked doors
7.Use bedsprings to create battering ram
8.Use a pistol as a wrench
Sincerely,
MacGyver
I think you guys are asking too much.
It would be a good start if everyone knew how to use the toilet without making a mess,
and cleaned up after themselves if they do make a mess.