Preparedist versus Survivalist
An interesting comment on one of my e-mail group boards was made concerning comparisons and definitions between what describes a survivalist as compared to a person who prepares. I thought it prudent to make the distinction thus to avoid future confusion or misunderstandings as to where my commentary comes from and how I think. But first, a disclaimer of sorts.
One thing I want to make clear about my personal political/religious dissertations and other commentary here and elsewhere is that I do not consider myself " 'round the bend" so far that I am a threat to my family, friends and neighbors. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact. I care deeply for all of you. My whole career in emergency services was about this. Why else go to all the trouble of creating a blog and communicating issues and topics and thoughts to share with the whole world. If I were bent on eradicating the "scum of the earth" or whomever I may find myself in disagreement with, I certainly would not announce it to the world. I am simply standing on my soap box in the "park", a public forum, and having my say for all to hear, consider, agree or disagree and learn as I grow from the discourse. I may "wing out" from time to time from your point of view but I am firmly grounded in my beliefs and values. I in no way advocate the slaughter of "sheeple" or anyone else nor do I have plans to take from anyone else in times social upheaval. As a result of my rantings I trust my values and beliefs will become more readily apparent and cause you to reflect upon your own. You can share or not. The choice is up to you.
To return to the topic at hand, I begin by trying to make some distinctions by defining some terms. I found in the on-line encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the opening line definition of a survivalist:
"A survivalist is a person who anticipates and prepares for a future disruption in local, regional or worldwide social or political order."
This in no way implies any negative connotation on the term "survivalist". It does go on to say that in recent times there has been a negative light associated with that term as it also includes those minorities who consider themselves so separated from the rest of the world that they essentially have lost their compassion for their fellow man.
("....Survivalism defined by Saxon as "Looking out for #1" and a need to be sufficiently armed to defend one's refuge and belongings from hungry people who might demand that others share them if society breaks down. In some of his published works, Saxon also appears to advocate what could be considered to be genocide and forced euthanasia against prostitutes, the physically and mentally disabled, the elderly, welfare recipients and the terminally ill.")
A like description borrowed from one of my discussion boards is as follows:
"Survivalism has a pretty bad reputation because it stereotypically connotes men dressed in camo, running round practicing war games, determined that they "and theirs" will survive at all costs. They stockpile guns by the dozens and ammunition by the case. They boast about how they're going to live off the land and "harvest" what they need from folks who try to keep them out of their own premises. They most claim to be individualists who have no need of community, and brag how they'll be invisible in their hide-aways to all passersby. They seem to have a cynical, pessimistic view of humankind, and genuinely seem to be disappointed that society as we know it has not yet come to an end. They love to feel superior, and delight in calling the rest of the population "sheeple." He expects to be staving off hordes of raping, pillaging marauders and seems to look forward to "taking them out." He considers himself self-sufficient, with no need of other people or God."
Wikipedia further describes this type of "survivalist" fitting more to the designs of "social Darwinism". Essentially, a "survival of the fittest" mentality. This extremism has stigmatized the term "survivalist" unfairly but in the real world fairness seems to have little to do with peoples perceptions. Politically correct "thinking(?)" terminology is what it is. So, in trying to find some semblance of fairness, I think there needs to be some growth to the survivalist terminology that allows for those who are not necessarily making their fellow man the "enemy".
To state that there are more moderate levels to survivalism, again, taken from the same post as follows:
"A prepared person, on the other hand, has a 72-hour kit for each member of his family in case evacuation is required, along with extra fuel for his vehicle, and camping supplies/equipment that will allow the trip to be relatively comfortable. A prepared person has a year's supply of food and clothing stockpiled at home, which he is rotating constantly because his family is using these items on a daily basis. He has a wood- or coal-burning stove for winter heat and cooking, with the fuel to run it. He has next year's garden seeds already on hand (and probably two or three additional years' worth, also), and has some fuel stored to allow him to garden and grow more food as time passes. He has planted berry bushes and a small orchard, again to provide more food in the future. He may have small animals (like chickens, rabbits, goats, and pigs). He has a good relationship with his neighbors, and knows they will help him and he will help them in emergency situations. There is a sense of community working together to take care of each other. They may have gone in together and assigned different families different spheres of responsibility, such as medical supplies, communication equipment, skills to provide the community with a measure of self-sufficiency. He and his neighbors respect religious values, ask God for guidance and help, and understand that "no man is an island," that we need one another for mental and emotional health and because one person can't possibly do everything by himself."
An eloquent way to state the differences. A very much needed distinction for the current times.
I propose to coin a new term.
A preparedist: A person who lives a lifestyle aware of dangers, both natural and man made, and prepares for them by always being in a state of readiness in mind and body. Of course this would include many of the things already listed above as a prudent prepared person would be thinking and doing. A survivalist often encompasses the theme that it is a "state of mind" as much as being physically prepared that beings success to the individual or group. Being prepared is simply that same concept of mind and spirit having that mental awareness to be ready as possible for whatever should come. This preparedness attitude is not meant to become a twisted obsessive compulsion to the exclusion of balance with the rest of our world. It is rather the extension of the belief not to take for granted that tomorrow will be the same as today.
Survivalism is a concept. A properly prepared person can survive with minimal supplies of need be because they are mentally prepared. "McGiver" thinking comes to mind as one example as do survival schools that teach us to use what is on hand to best insure survival. Being a preparedist would fall into similar description with it being differentiated more so perhaps by finding a balance in the real everyday world with other people as assets rather than a libility. Thus, the definitions must overlap as survivalism encompasses all that is good as well as bad.
I hope this clarifies any misgivings you may have thought from reading over some of my other posts, especially in the political arena. No. I am not happy with the way things are run in this country and this is my small way of doing something about it. I am just getting this blog thing started and look forward to eventually writing something of value for us all to share. You can make your own judgements as to whether or not I am one of those who guys who hords guns and ammunition and have plans to eradicate the "sheeple" or not. I trust that God has already made His decision and can do it a lot better than me. Ha! Lemmings found a way so I figure sheeple will too.
So, I may be a preparedist. How about you?
Happy Trails,
wojack
One thing I want to make clear about my personal political/religious dissertations and other commentary here and elsewhere is that I do not consider myself " 'round the bend" so far that I am a threat to my family, friends and neighbors. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact. I care deeply for all of you. My whole career in emergency services was about this. Why else go to all the trouble of creating a blog and communicating issues and topics and thoughts to share with the whole world. If I were bent on eradicating the "scum of the earth" or whomever I may find myself in disagreement with, I certainly would not announce it to the world. I am simply standing on my soap box in the "park", a public forum, and having my say for all to hear, consider, agree or disagree and learn as I grow from the discourse. I may "wing out" from time to time from your point of view but I am firmly grounded in my beliefs and values. I in no way advocate the slaughter of "sheeple" or anyone else nor do I have plans to take from anyone else in times social upheaval. As a result of my rantings I trust my values and beliefs will become more readily apparent and cause you to reflect upon your own. You can share or not. The choice is up to you.
To return to the topic at hand, I begin by trying to make some distinctions by defining some terms. I found in the on-line encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the opening line definition of a survivalist:
"A survivalist is a person who anticipates and prepares for a future disruption in local, regional or worldwide social or political order."
This in no way implies any negative connotation on the term "survivalist". It does go on to say that in recent times there has been a negative light associated with that term as it also includes those minorities who consider themselves so separated from the rest of the world that they essentially have lost their compassion for their fellow man.
("....Survivalism defined by Saxon as "Looking out for #1" and a need to be sufficiently armed to defend one's refuge and belongings from hungry people who might demand that others share them if society breaks down. In some of his published works, Saxon also appears to advocate what could be considered to be genocide and forced euthanasia against prostitutes, the physically and mentally disabled, the elderly, welfare recipients and the terminally ill.")
A like description borrowed from one of my discussion boards is as follows:
"Survivalism has a pretty bad reputation because it stereotypically connotes men dressed in camo, running round practicing war games, determined that they "and theirs" will survive at all costs. They stockpile guns by the dozens and ammunition by the case. They boast about how they're going to live off the land and "harvest" what they need from folks who try to keep them out of their own premises. They most claim to be individualists who have no need of community, and brag how they'll be invisible in their hide-aways to all passersby. They seem to have a cynical, pessimistic view of humankind, and genuinely seem to be disappointed that society as we know it has not yet come to an end. They love to feel superior, and delight in calling the rest of the population "sheeple." He expects to be staving off hordes of raping, pillaging marauders and seems to look forward to "taking them out." He considers himself self-sufficient, with no need of other people or God."
Wikipedia further describes this type of "survivalist" fitting more to the designs of "social Darwinism". Essentially, a "survival of the fittest" mentality. This extremism has stigmatized the term "survivalist" unfairly but in the real world fairness seems to have little to do with peoples perceptions. Politically correct "thinking(?)" terminology is what it is. So, in trying to find some semblance of fairness, I think there needs to be some growth to the survivalist terminology that allows for those who are not necessarily making their fellow man the "enemy".
To state that there are more moderate levels to survivalism, again, taken from the same post as follows:
"A prepared person, on the other hand, has a 72-hour kit for each member of his family in case evacuation is required, along with extra fuel for his vehicle, and camping supplies/equipment that will allow the trip to be relatively comfortable. A prepared person has a year's supply of food and clothing stockpiled at home, which he is rotating constantly because his family is using these items on a daily basis. He has a wood- or coal-burning stove for winter heat and cooking, with the fuel to run it. He has next year's garden seeds already on hand (and probably two or three additional years' worth, also), and has some fuel stored to allow him to garden and grow more food as time passes. He has planted berry bushes and a small orchard, again to provide more food in the future. He may have small animals (like chickens, rabbits, goats, and pigs). He has a good relationship with his neighbors, and knows they will help him and he will help them in emergency situations. There is a sense of community working together to take care of each other. They may have gone in together and assigned different families different spheres of responsibility, such as medical supplies, communication equipment, skills to provide the community with a measure of self-sufficiency. He and his neighbors respect religious values, ask God for guidance and help, and understand that "no man is an island," that we need one another for mental and emotional health and because one person can't possibly do everything by himself."
An eloquent way to state the differences. A very much needed distinction for the current times.
I propose to coin a new term.
A preparedist: A person who lives a lifestyle aware of dangers, both natural and man made, and prepares for them by always being in a state of readiness in mind and body. Of course this would include many of the things already listed above as a prudent prepared person would be thinking and doing. A survivalist often encompasses the theme that it is a "state of mind" as much as being physically prepared that beings success to the individual or group. Being prepared is simply that same concept of mind and spirit having that mental awareness to be ready as possible for whatever should come. This preparedness attitude is not meant to become a twisted obsessive compulsion to the exclusion of balance with the rest of our world. It is rather the extension of the belief not to take for granted that tomorrow will be the same as today.
Survivalism is a concept. A properly prepared person can survive with minimal supplies of need be because they are mentally prepared. "McGiver" thinking comes to mind as one example as do survival schools that teach us to use what is on hand to best insure survival. Being a preparedist would fall into similar description with it being differentiated more so perhaps by finding a balance in the real everyday world with other people as assets rather than a libility. Thus, the definitions must overlap as survivalism encompasses all that is good as well as bad.
I hope this clarifies any misgivings you may have thought from reading over some of my other posts, especially in the political arena. No. I am not happy with the way things are run in this country and this is my small way of doing something about it. I am just getting this blog thing started and look forward to eventually writing something of value for us all to share. You can make your own judgements as to whether or not I am one of those who guys who hords guns and ammunition and have plans to eradicate the "sheeple" or not. I trust that God has already made His decision and can do it a lot better than me. Ha! Lemmings found a way so I figure sheeple will too.
So, I may be a preparedist. How about you?
Happy Trails,
wojack
Really liked this ... well written, reads smoothly, covers about all of it...... and now I know what I am. I'm a preparedist!!! I like the sound of that 8o)
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