Survivalism: harmless hobby or paranoid fear?

[Guns Guns Guns]

Survivalism is a movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists or preppers) who are actively preparing for emergencies as well as possible disruptions in social or political order, on scales ranging from local to international. Survivalists often have emergency medical and self-defence training, stockpile food and water, prepare for self-sufficiency, and build structures that will help them survive or "disappear" (e.g. a survival retreat or underground shelter).

Anticipated disruptions include the following:

• Clusters of natural disasters, patterns of apocalyptic planetary crises, or Earth Changes (tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, solar storms, severe thunderstorms)
• A disaster caused by the activities of humankind (chemical spills, release of radioactive materials, nuclear or conventional war, oppressive governments)
• The general collapse of society caused by the shortage or unavailability of resources such as electricity, fuel, food, or water
• Financial disruption or economic collapse (caused by monetary manipulation, hyperinflation, deflation, or depression)
• A global pandemic
• Widespread chaos or some other unexplained apocalyptic event

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


Discuss...

[Canceled.2014.1]

There are countless situations that can arise that a bit of planning can help a great deal. Post natural disastors are one that comes to mind. After a major disastor, the predators and scavengers come out of the woodwork like roaches. Being able to provide your family with food, clean water, first aid, and physical protection falls into your lap. The authorities will not be of any help for possibly weeks or longer.

I do not understand why people ridicule or even fear preppers. If they are planning for something that will not happen, why does anyone care? If something does happen and you are depending on the authorities to help you, why not be glad there are those who won't be adding to the number of people needing assistance?

It seems, at worst, a harmless hobby. Much better than some hobbies that seem totally socially acceptable.

[Guns Guns Guns]

There are countless situations that can arise that a bit of planning can help a great deal. Post natural disastors are one that comes to mind. After a major disastor, the predators and scavengers come out of the woodwork like roaches. Being able to provide your family with food, clean water, first aid, and physical protection falls into your lap. The authorities will not be of any help for possibly weeks or longer. I do not understand why people ridicule or even fear preppers. If they are planning for something that will not happen, why does anyone care? If something does happen and you are depending on the authorities to help you, why not be glad there are those who won't be adding to the number of people needing assistance? It seems, at worst, a harmless hobby. Much better than some hobbies that seem totally socially acceptable.

Thanks for your input.

Who said they "fear" survivalists?

[Canceled.2014.1]

Thanks for your input.

Who said they "fear" survivalists?

I did. I am the only other person who posted here.

[Guns Guns Guns]

I did. I am the only other person who posted here.

So you fear survivalists?

[Canceled.2014.1]

So you fear survivalists?

Did I say I am afraid of them?

But yes, I do believe some people fear preppers.

[Guns Guns Guns]

Did I say I am afraid of them? But yes, I do believe some people fear preppers.

When I asked who said they fear survivalists, you replied...

I did. I am the only other person who posted here.

[Damocles]

There is, quite literally, a 100% chance of something happening that will cause distress to human survival on this planet. Will we be prepared as a specie? Maybe, if we're lucky enough that it comes far future.

Until the time we are prepared to deal with such a disaster as could come from any number of different avenues survivalists ensure the survival of our specie.

[Guns Guns Guns]

There is, quite literally, a 100% chance of something happening that will cause distress to human survival on this planet. Will we be prepared as a specie? Maybe, if we're lucky enough that it comes far future. Until the time we are prepared to deal with such a disaster as could come survivalists ensure the survival of humanity should it happen before we are prepared.

So survivalism is a harmless hobby?

[Canceled.2014.1]

When I asked who said they fear survivalists, you replied...

Yes. I have said, more than once in this thread, that I believe some people fear preppers.

[Canceled.2014.1]

So survivalism is a harmless hobby?

I believe it is prudent planning.

[Guns Guns Guns]

Yes. I have said, more than once in this thread, that I believe some people fear preppers.

So when I asked "who said they fear survivalists", and you replied "I did", what you really meant was that somebody else does?

[Guns Guns Guns]

I believe it is prudent planning.

So it's harmless?

[Canceled.2014.1]

So when I asked "who said they fear survivalists", and you replied "I did", what you really meant was that somebody else does?

I certainly did. I said that people fear the preppers.

[Damocles]

So survivalism is a harmless hobby?

It is a necessity, whether you want to mock them or not they are the ones that will survive if the stuff hits the fan before we are ready to deal with it. It's a repeating meme, shoot even humanity has suffered a near extinction in our short existence on this planet.