Prepper Subculture

Miley · 01-22-2012, 12:20 PM

While fiddling around Yahoo!, I came across this article. Apparently, people who prepare for the worst are now labeled as preppers. Glenn Beck preaches to us, and it seems we have our own bible too! I always thought I was a survivalist, but apparently there is a difference. Thoughts on this, anyone?

oldsarge · 01-22-2012, 01:05 PM

National Geographic has a show called Doomsday Preppers. I have seen it advertised recently for a new episode, I think within the next week or so.

All in all, I think that survivalist and preppers are all about the same goal. It's just that preppers seem to be stock pilling more and preparing to sustain themselves, where as survivalist are more self sufficient, doing more with less. Does that make sense? Like that new show in Alaska about the family who is homesteading. What's the difference between them and a prepper/survivalist? I guess there's a fine line here, but over all I feel they fall into the same group.

catspa · 01-22-2012, 01:09 PM

So the question is now, as it's perhaps always been, "Do you want to be part of a "movement" (labeled as such by some media sources), or just do what seems prudent for yourself or your loved ones?"

There are people who will come down on each side of the question, and more power to them if it helps them prepare for the future they expect.

So, assuming there is no collapse of society -- which the preppers call "uncivilization" -- what is the future of the preppers?

Ummm, pretty much like their present is my guess - they'll keep on working on their precautions, and help their peace of mind in doing so. Like after Y2K, some will turn their interest to other pursuits.

Sarge, I think many such people are individuals and don't really fit into common categories/labels. It's enough for me to know they're making their own way, good on them.

Parker

Lorax · 01-22-2012, 01:18 PM

When i was small, we lived so far back in the sticks that at any time we could have a storm that would either leave us snowed in for 2-3 days or not have power for a few days. "Prepping" was a fact of life. "Prepping" is what the Boy Scout motto is all about, being prepared.
It's sad when self reliance is ridiculed.

While I don't have 5 years of toilet paper,air tight bags full of non-hybrid seeds and enough ammo to build a fortress of 50 Cal. cans, I do keep a limited amount of supplies on hand which stay rotated.
Just enough for an emergency.

Grandpa · 01-22-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorax

When i was small, we lived so far back in the sticks that at any time we could have a storm that would either leave us snowed in for 2-3 days or not have power for a few days. "Prepping" was a fact of life. "Prepping" is what the Boy Scout motto is all about, being prepared.
It's sad when self reliance is ridiculed.

While I don't have 5 years of toilet paper,air tight bags full of non-hybrid seeds and enough ammo to build a fortress of 50 Cal. cans, I do keep a limited amount of supplies on hand which stay rotated.
Just enough for an emergency.

My sentiments exactly, only I still live back in the sticks

oldsarge · 01-22-2012, 01:42 PM

I don't consider it a "Movement", When I said "Group" I was just referring to the type of individuals or families who prefer to live off the land and not be part of mainstream society. Like Lorax said, it's part of being prepared. You're right, main stream media will make a story out of it and classify it as some overly cautious group preparing for what ever disaster arises. And if there is no collapse in society, the the preppers will just be homesteaders I guess. I'm not criticizing these folks, just commenting the question in the thread starter. To answer your question, I will be part of what ever it takes to provide for may family...you can call it what ever you like. I call it duty & responsibility.

catspa · 01-22-2012, 01:52 PM

Roger that.

Parker

Grandpa · 01-22-2012, 01:52 PM

Oh my, I've been labeled

oldsarge · 01-22-2012, 02:08 PM

Better a Prepper than a Preppie!

Bojib · 01-22-2012, 02:48 PM

Like Lorax and Grandpa I grew up in the "sticks". It wasn't anything to get snowed in for a week with no power. Once the power was off, it usually stayed off for a long time. The roads weren't cleared, heck, until I was a ten they were dirt roads, and it was some time after that before they actually did a "good" asphalt job.

Being prepared is just what we had to do. You had to make sure to keep enough on hand to last through the rough time. Of course, family lived close, by "sticks" standards anyway. So, when times started getting tough, everyone banded together to help out. When the weather stayed bad, and the power stayed out, everyone would congregate at Grandma's house, built before there ever was electric in that area, and still set up to be used in such a way. We survived some pretty rough times then. Had we not even tried to be prepared, and counted on the government or somebody else to provide for us, I may not be here typing this today.

I've moved from the "sticks" but still live in the "twigs" I guess you could say. It's a little more civilized than the "sticks" I grew up in, but only a little. Even with more accessibility to town, I still find my self staying prepared. It just makes sense. Even more so, sense I really don't have the family support that I grew up with, if things go bad here we're more likely to be on our own.

I'll take being a prepper if that's what it's called. I don't see it as a derogatory term, but a sign that someone has some common sense and "smarts".