Actually, it might be dark ages after all, and here's why.

Though we used to know how to build wooden homes, purify water, perform first aid, grow food with modern techniques, etc. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST SUCH KNOWLEDGE that I think we'd be in a state worse than the Dark Ages.

All people know about is TV shows, cell phones, shopping, computers, etc. -- how many people can filter water using household equipment? Garden successfully? Perform first aid when no doctor, hospital (or electricity) is around? Build a decent shelter? Create a fire and make some nails? Make tools from scratch? You name it.

People used to have all kinds of practical skills. Now, for all our 'advancement', we're actually less skilled than a 12 year old from 1850. (when it comes to things that matter)

Which is why I advocate that we spend SOME of our time now learning such practical skills. For now, the Internet still works, and you can learn a LOT OF GOOD STUFF by spending your time wisely reading survival websites and such. I seriously doubt it would ever be a waste of time.

What else are people going to spend their time doing instead? Probably a much SURER waste of time.

Don't neglect spiritual reading, learning about the Faith (we have to convert people!), or the Rosary -- but after you do your duties of state (work, study) you should spend some time each day acquiring a down-to-earth skill that will ALWAYS be useful.

Matthew

A lot of gardening wisdom is found here:
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/letters.htm

You can also get the book "Square Foot Gardening" (at least the original 1981 edition) for 50 cents on Amazon.com (plus $3 shipping). That's what I did.

If you want to know a bit of survival stuff, there are probably TONS of good sites on the Net, but I found a good one on surviving a nuclear war (I learned a LOT! Including general things that would be useful in other circuмstances as well. The man who wrote it has been all around the world, and has a lot of wisdom)

http://www.ki4u.com/free_book/s73p906.htm

Blacksmithing:
http://www.appaltree.net/aba/begin.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/millrestoration/blacksmith.html

First aid:
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/

Anyhow, this is just a small sample of what's out there -- a quick Google search will find you many things you're interested in. Pick a "trade" that you will enjoy, even now -- or that you're somewhat inclined to do.

I wouldn't enjoy embroidery, for instance.

There are many things I would find satisfying and fascinating. I'd love to do something like blacksmithing, but I think I'd annoy the neighbors with the constant fires in my backyard :)
I'd love to learn how to build wooden structures too.

The more well-rounded, folk type knowledge you have, the more helpful you will be to others.

Matthew