Preppers

Preppers are the people who are building secure stockpiles of food, water, firearms and whatever else they believe necessary to stay alive once society crashes.  Normally I would, as I have in the past though of these people as extreme and also, I know it sounds bad to say, but rather trashy.  When I see someone training their teenage kids to use automatic rifles out in some compound that they built on their land in Texas, I usually feel a gulf between our ideals, both politically, religiously, and socially.  Therefore, I would probably write them off as not worth considering for the position of role model or thought leader, just as they would do the same for me.  Reject what is different, they never know as much as you or will ever be as righteous or as good of a person as you.  Well, obviously, that statement, intellectually doe snot fit with my world view and I am forced to reexamine my personal gut reaction feelings I get for anyone.  For example, preppers.  

Basically, these preppers believe in two fundamental things.  These things to you and me may sound like possibilities, but obviously are not strong enough possibilities for us to actually act on.  These two principals are as follows: 1) Our society is on a path towards collapse or destruction.  2) This collapse or destruction will be happening in the near future, and therefore worth preparing for (or "prepping" for).

Now, it doesn't take a big stretch of the imagination to entertain these possibilities.  Let's examine the first one: our society is on a path toward collapse.  Humans over consume and over populate.  We are affecting the environment with no signs of stopping or slowing.  In fact we are increasing speed.  Ishmael would have more to say about this first point.

Second point: it will happen soon.  Well, we certainly are a growing population, rapidly growing.  Those making the decisions have little regard for the environment as money is the key motivator.  Humans do not like to regress to anything less than they have currently, taking a step backward is possible for an individual, but for society, very difficult.  Too difficult maybe.  We will not consume less unless we are forced to do so by a major catastrophe such as major war, economic depression, environmental/ecosystem collapse to a point where human society as we know it can not continue.  Our waste is a growing problem, our air is growing more green-house-y every year, ice is melting at unseen before rates.  Our politicians are, while I can't point out any specific corrupt politicians, I know that they are in the pockets of big financial backers, corporations continue to favor monetary gains over human safety and environmental safety.  Technology is also increasing at rapid rates, changing human behavior and psychology at rates just as fast.  Species and the rain forrests are disappearing, the oceans are dying, I mean, it certainly seems like things are heading in the wrong direction quickly.  I think the main point is that humans never like to go backward in comfort, luxury, or technologically and in doing so are mucking things up royally for those exploited.  We are a progress oriented society.

So, I mean, considering all of these factors, one could easily make a strong argument that points one and two are indeed more than a slight probability.  Am I saying we should train our kids how to use guns to defend themselves?  Am i saying that we should build bunkers and stockpile?  I'd really like to say that we can have a peaceful society where those things are not necessary.  I don't want to get caught in a prisoners dilemma where I bring guns to the party just because I am worried about them bringing guns. However, I'm not saying anything.   And one thing that I am certainly not saying is that these preppers are acting foolishly.

This reminds me of my previous opinion of the Amish.  Silly horse and buggy drawn people living in the past.  Well, that was a pretty horrible thought, and one that I don't admit with pride.  It was more of a subconscious base thought.  I thought like a typical human, "hey, if you don't use technology then you are living in the past and while that is interesting, you pretty much are not relevant if you don't live in "the present.""  However, I can see how technology has really expanded humanity on our planet, and unfortunately, though it brings greta joy and health and beauty, it seems to have extended us beyond our safe limits.  We are more detached from our world.  We are far too reckless  as a people for this kind of power to be okay for us to wield.  I admire the foresight that the Amish people seem to have had when faced with a choice involving the future.  Choices concerning the present are often easy to make.  The variables are much more certain.  But, like the preppers, the Amish looked into the future, looked at themselves and chose a lifestyle that fit with what they saw to be the safest and best action for them and their children and future generations.  (I don't really know anything about the Amish actually, but I should find out.)  Not to say that these two groups of people would get along, but they both make me think; what do I think the future will be like and what is the best course of action for me and my family?  How do I get people to see the future I see and come with me in my vision of what to do?

Here's one possible solution, Let's buy some land in central Canada, get all of our family and smartest people we know to come live with us, as become self sufficient.  I want to be able to grow my own food when the grocery stores stop getting stocked.  I want to be able to have power when the power plants shut down.  I want to be able to forage when the growing season is slow.  I want to be able to live if/when society crumbles.  (not to mention, Canada will be nice as climate change affects the US and all costal areas, raising temperatures, causing droughts, spreading disease, etc.)  But no one seems interested and I'm certainly not going alone.

For now, we are trying to live personally sustainable lives, learn about food growing, live simple and mobile lifestyles (as I type this on my computer :/).  Acting on the unknown future is a tricky thing.  I don't want to look like a fool and act prematurely just before things get better.  But I also don't want to be stuck in inaction until it's too late.