[bart]

Specop_007 and NevadaGhosts (0r anyone else with an opinion), could you explain survivalism a little?

From what I can glean, survivalism implies:

1. Distrust of government and organized society. Suspicion that when difficult times come, such as with Peak Oil, they will either collapse or become authoritarian.
2. Self-reliance for food, shelter, and safety.
3. Belief that safety is to be had in unobtrusive homesteads in rural areas.
4. Forming groups ranging in size from individuals and nuclear families to communities of several families. Perhaps looser ties to a larger number of similar settlements.
4. Belief that interaction with people other than family or immediate community will be hostile or at least tense.
5. Sense of security in firearms and semi-military defense strategies.
6. Perhaps religious, perhaps not.
7. Politics would usually involve loyalty to a group (family, community, or nation) and suspicion of any competing groups.
8. Looking to the military, pioneers, and backwoodsmen for models.

Is this an accurate summary of survivalism?

What I don't understand is how a survivalist sees the future. Is survivalism a temporary strategy or a permanent one? Are you expecting to live this way for the rest of your life? Will you ever feel comfortable going back to an organized society?

Thanks,
bart

[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bart', 'S')pecop_007 and NevadaGhosts (0r anyone else with an opinion), could you explain survivalism a little?

From what I can glean, survivalism implies:

1. Distrust of government and organized society. Suspicion that when difficult times come, such as with Peak Oil, they will either collapse or become authoritarian.
2. Self-reliance for food, shelter, and safety.
3. Belief that safety is to be had in unobtrusive homesteads in rural areas.
4. Forming groups ranging in size from individuals and nuclear families to communities of several families. Perhaps looser ties to a larger number of similar settlements.
4. Belief that interaction with people other than family or immediate community will be hostile or at least tense.
5. Sense of security in firearms and semi-military defense strategies.
6. Perhaps religious, perhaps not.
7. Politics would usually involve loyalty to a group (family, community, or nation) and suspicion of any competing groups.
8. Looking to the military, pioneers, and backwoodsmen for models.

Is this an accurate summary of survivalism?

What I don't understand is how a survivalist sees the future. Is survivalism a temporary strategy or a permanent one? Are you expecting to live this way for the rest of your life? Will you ever feel comfortable going back to an organized society?

Thanks,
bart

[jato]

For me (I am still learning about survivalism, no expert here):

1. Distrust of government and organized society. Suspicion that when difficult times come, such as with Peak Oil, they will either collapse or become authoritarian.

Distrust of government because the are corrupt and want to take more of my money. I realize we have "low" taxes here in the US, but I want them lower & a balanced budget too.


2. Self-reliance for food, shelter, and safety.

Yes. Self reliance in general.


3. Belief that safety is to be had in unobtrusive homesteads in rural areas.

Sometimes, yes.


4a. Forming groups ranging in size from individuals and nuclear families to communities of several families. Perhaps looser ties to a larger number of similar settlements.

Yes. Small communities.


4b. Belief that interaction with people other than family or immediate community will be hostile or at least tense.

No. At least for now. If the SHTF, then yes.


5. Sense of security in firearms and semi-military defense strategies.

Depends. In an isolated area, it may not be as important than in a large city.


6. Perhaps religious, perhaps not.

Does not matter to me. Religion is personal to me.


7. Politics would usually involve loyalty to a group (family, community, or nation) and suspicion of any competing groups.

Loyalty yes, suspicion no.


8. Looking to the military, pioneers, and backwoodsmen for models.

It depends. I would not look to the military for a model necessarily. I would say taking the best components different models have to offer.


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hat I don't understand is how a survivalist sees the future. Is survivalism a temporary strategy or a permanent one? Are you expecting to live this way for the rest of your life? Will you ever feel comfortable going back to an organized society?

[Pops]

I split this off as I think many folks’ connotation of “Survivalismâ€

[trespam]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism

or

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=survivalist


Here's an analogy: When looking at drivers of automobiles, the survivalists are the ones wearing the motorcycle helmets--in the car--because they know that it will make them safer in case they get in a car accident. You just can't be too safe. Cause you never know. So on this board, the survivalists are the ones wearing the helmets in their cars--to be safe.

Survivalism is an artifact or consideration for peak oil. Just as it is for supervirus, thermonuclear warfare, return of the ice age, and other stuff. But it is extremely unlikely that surivalist techniques will be necessary because of peak oil in the next 10 years. Therefore, to me, it's like wearing that helmet in the car--you might be safer just in case, but it looks pretty damn stupid and I simply refuse to wear one. I'll drive my car without the helmet.

[NevadaGhosts]

Hi Bart.

Survivalism is just that- planning to and trying to survive under any conditions. To plan ahead for any unknow contingency. To prepare for the worst, just in case. It's as simple as that. I would rather plan ahead and be wrong than not plan ahead and be wrong.

[NevadaGhosts]

Trespam wrote:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut it is extremely unlikely that surivalist techniques will be necessary because of peak oil in the next 10 years.

[NevadaGhosts]

Ah, disregard that last post. We are friends now. Whoohooo!

[trespam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', '[')b]Trespam wrote:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'B')ut it is extremely unlikely that surivalist techniques will be necessary because of peak oil in the next 10 years.

[NevadaGhosts]

Hey Trespam,

That's great that we can kind of meet half-way and try to agree on some things. You might be right and I might be wrong. The problem is, no one knows for sure when things will get really bad, and that's always the part that sucks.

[trespam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('NevadaGhosts', 'H')ey Trespam,

That's great that we can kind of meet half-way and try to agree on some things. You might be right and I might be wrong. The problem is, no one knows for sure when things will get really bad, and that's always the part that sucks.

[NevadaGhosts]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')hat's why if things get too bad, we'll all be looking for your place and your stash of survival stuff. Don't let on where it is.

[jato]

Here is the helmet that I wear when I drive my car...




I am not necessarily directing this at anyone here but...

Maybe people who have millions of dollars aren't worried about the future. Maybe they can afford to hire a small army if the times get tough.

For me, since I will be flat broke if there is a crash, I better get all the stuff I think I will need now.