What's your opinion on survivalism (the movement/subculture)?

[Erja_Perttu]

Everyone should have a plan for survival in case of an emergency break out of Zombies.

A friend of mine has an honest to God lead lined room with an en-suite full of tinned food and weapons, as well as a straight up back up plan involving an island fortress. He's a little over prepared but hey- if the apocalypse should happen, I know where I'm going.

As for myself? Meh, I've got soup and a shovel, I'll be fine.

 

[Ambi]

I have an interest in almost anything D.I.Y. (haven't really been bothered improving skills, I just like to think I'm capable) and sometimes I ask "what if" questions about economic depressions and war. As a naive kid I'd watch those hurricane shows and think of the cubby houses that could be built out of the rubble. There have been floods around Australia lately, I wonder if they were prepared. I can't say I have anything prepared except for a half-read city survival book and some canned food at the bottom of the pantry.

It's good to have a few things on stand by just in case, but I don't think everyone needs to dedicate a large amount of time harbouring paranoia, trying to predict events with conspiracy theories, and spending large amounts of money on things that aren't likely to happen.

 

[RatRace123]

I had no idea there was a word and a movement for it, I shall officially declare myself part of it now.

 

[CouchCommando]

Yeah I got brought up by a bunch of survivalists, so they creep me out, but I gotta say modern trends are pretty cool, I'm more into your out doors hiking survivalist stuff these days and left my bunker building doomsday cult family behind. A lot of the products available today are pure awesome compared to the heavy ass expensive kit I used to lug around on trips when I was a kid, prices are good too. Not to mention the amount of free information and forums available on the internet for those interested in the subject.
Notable products of merit:

-micro compressed sleeping bag with stuff sack.

-modern dome tents with light weight pole spars.

-camping cook pan sets.

-Solar panel mounted back pack with jacks for mobile, ipod and camera (sorry got carried away with my love of camping there).

Any one who remembers camping from 25 years ago knows what I'm talking about.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I seem to be surviving ok. What's the point?

Let's look at possible disaster scenarios that this might be necessary for:

Zombies- Highly improbable

War- We'll probably have forewarning. If invasion looks immininent I might prepare a bit, but complying looks like a more sensible option.

Natural Disasters- Here? None. I live on the side of a hill, there are no rivers above, there are no volcanoes, there will be no hurricaines...

Aliens- See zombies

Nuclear strike- Fucked anyway. Besides, it seems unlikely.

I'm not paranoid enough to spend what little money I have on scenarios that probably won't happen.

 

[LupusDei]

Natural disasters don't really occur in Ireland.

I have no sudden fear of zombies creeping out of their graves anytime soon.

And if another world war broke out I'd be signed up and shipped off.

Saying that keeping basical survival equipment is never a bad thing.

 

[Fwee]

They're the ones that'll be unprepared, so let them mock.

 

[Flames66]

Never heard of that sort of thing ever, and I kinda think you're a bit crazy too.

I'm in the process of making one myself. Just in case of the fall of society you know. It won't be very strenuous to do and, if society is destroyed, Who will be the one laughing?!

 

[Bocaj2000]

snip

Do you have any electrolytes?

It's what the body craves.

 

[Iron Mal]

While there is nothing wrong with having knowledge of survival skills (if you do ever find yourself in a bad situation or stranded then it could end up saving your life) but it is also an easily proven thing that survival skills aren't anywhere near as important anymore.

I don't need to hunt for food, I can go to a local shop.

I don't need to build a fire and find shelter for the night, I have a warm bed and a home.

I don't need to worry about sickness and injury, I can go to a hospital.

I don't need to stay alert and watch for predators at night, I have a door lock.

I could go on but basically, all your survival skills have been made redundant by a society that isn't really threatened by the basic challanges that require survival skills.

 

[Brawndo]

Doesn't everyone have stuff like this?

Like emergency rations in case of a natural disaster etc?

You'd be surprised. I live in Florida, and we had four hurricanes in 2004. Even though Floridians are aware of the risk of hurricanes, there were still some people in my neighborhood who completely relied on the charity and goodwill of others for food and water after the roads flooded and we were left without power for over 5 days

 

[Thaluikhain]

Depends on where you live, and what hazards are around your area.

Personally, living in one of the many places not subject to hurricanes et al might be a better bet.

On the other hand...what's the difference between having a survival kit full of food, and a well-stocked pantry? Sure, you probably won't need to stock up on tinned foods for when the zombies turn up (and, as in all zombie movies, everyone who isn't a zombie loses about 100 points of IQ so as to allow an otherwise pretty hopeless monster to eat them), but what if you feel like having some tinned peaches and don't want to go to the store?

 

[movienut]

My husband has had the same issue actually. He is a pretty liberal guy and would like to talk to other people about emergency prep and such. This usualy means that he spends most of his time on line frothing about the morons and closed minded red kneck idiots. Hard to find a place to talk about it that does not involve politics or religion.

 

[SimuLord]

No affiliation with or interest in the politics or subculture, but I'm definitely a heavily armed, well-supplied survivalist type.

Absolutely agreed. The concept of survivalism is a manly expression of badassery, but I can do without the nutty right-wing fantasies and screwy people associated with the "movement".

 

[movienut]

No affiliation with or interest in the politics or subculture, but I'm definitely a heavily armed, well-supplied survivalist type.

Absolutely agreed. The concept of survivalism is a manly expression of badassery, but I can do without the nutty right-wing fantasies and screwy people associated with the "movement".

Wouldn't it be nice if someone would start a no nuts allowed survival forum? From what my husband told me the Zombie Squad used to kind of be like that but it has gotten more kooky lately.

 

[RobCoxxy]

I call it the zombie apocalypse go-kit.

I love living in a house of zombie loving nerds. We're so fun.

 

[SimuLord]

No affiliation with or interest in the politics or subculture, but I'm definitely a heavily armed, well-supplied survivalist type.

Absolutely agreed. The concept of survivalism is a manly expression of badassery, but I can do without the nutty right-wing fantasies and screwy people associated with the "movement".

Wouldn't it be nice if someone would start a no nuts allowed survival forum? From what my husband told me the Zombie Squad used to kind of be like that but it has gotten more kooky lately.

Put it in the guidelines---"Discussion of politics or religion will get you instantly banned. No exceptions, no appeal, just go the fuck away" and have good moderators.