Hello from a sociologist and casual prepper

Hi there

I am a sociologist who, besides being a (very) causal prepper myself, is really interested in prepping as a kind of social movement. I am fascinated by preppers, because you, more than pretty much anyone else, are acutely aware of the various cracks and vulnerabilities in the way our society is currently functioning, and are taking action based on this awareness. As a sociologist, this intrigues me greatly.

I am also very interested in how you see what comes after TEOTWAWKI. Here my impression is, that there is less clarity than when seeing the problems with our current order (which is of course understandable, given nobody can see the future). Nonetheless, I am really curious about how you think of this. Are we only preparing for some horrific event, a temporary suspension of normal society, and then a return to status quo? Or are we also preparing for a new kind of society?

All the best and happy prepping,
Erikmyg

 

Welcome aboard! I’m curious to hear about your casual prepping!
That can mean a lot of things, there is a wide range here.

 

@Erikmyg Welcome! I think you are in for a treat as lots of different types of people here with lots of interesting perspectives on just about everything.

Reference Prepping... I hate the word. I believe it was created by some corporation that wants to sell you something, a suit trying to sell some ideology to make a profit. Basically, all it is in reality is being a bit prudent. It's prudence and not depending on others for your basic needs, that includes the local, state and certainly not the federal government. Here in North Idaho, it is simply a way of life, nothing special someone does. They can what they grow from the garden for a rainy day, not to be a prepper, just to ensure they got something to eat in the future. They have a means to generate power when winter storms or a fallen tree affects power. They have firearms for protection and not expecting (or wanting) a policeman on every corner. Hell, we just put in a completely new water pump for the well - yet - I still keep 5-gallon cans of water. LOL! Why? Common sense because reality bites and one can get very thirsty very fast! LOL!

I believe you will find most people here are those of common sense, with a wealth of life experience which has shown them reality can't be ignored. You prepare for it and act or suffer the consequences of your inactions. I suppose one can call that prepping but all it is, in my mind, being prudent. Many people buy auto and home insurance - is that prepping too?

"...given nobody can see the future."
In this, I disagree, sir. In many cases, one can definitely see the future and it doesn't take a crystal ball or some psychic ability. Simple history can and does give us the knowledge to determine the outcome of most events as does life's experiences. I know if I cut myself on some old, dirty, rusty nail that there is a very good possibility that I will become quite sick unless I take precautions and/or am prepared in advance by having a tetanus shot.

Applying simple logic, history and our own experiences can pretty much forecast most of the future. Examples? Does it take an economic genius to determine that a huge national deficit is ruinous for a nation? Nope. History has lots of examples of failure. Or, that a hugely overvalued stock market (40,000) will have a tremendous correction, a fall. Again, no, we've seen it happen numerous times throughout history, so no clairvoyance insight needed there just a bit of common sense. Or, how about a nation state that continually states their violent intention to harm you and/or others for whatever reason. History tells us we definitely should take them at their word.

Anyway, a BIG welcome to you and we look forward to future discussions and your input!

 

What are you preparing for Erick?

 

Welcome from the High Velds of Central Colorado.
Like Bandit posted above, prepper or survivalist, or whatever are terms made up by those who obviously don't know the first thing about us and what we do, and why we do it.
Growing up in the Willimette Valley of Oregon on several family farms, we learned to be self reliant, a trip to the hospital was about an hour one way if the weather was in your favor, accidents can and do happen, and food can and often does become a valuable commodity, either for ones self, or the local community. That said, we learned not to rely on outside help. Having a neighbor who was abusive to his wife and children, it was either call the sheriff, or walk over there and put foot to ass, with the very real threat of a .30/30 to follow if the situation didn't improve, and there would be no police involved, and no body to bury in the town cemetery.

Having enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school, I got to see a lot of the world outside the states, places nobody had ever heard of, places you wouldn't ever want to visit, and in my specific job, as a Pararescue man, I got to see the very worst mankind is capable of, things that your worst nightmares couldn't fathom, and yet it was as common as everything.
Fast forward and I got to take part in the emergency rescue operations during Katrina, those experiences really had an effect on me, showed me the very stark reality that it really doesn't take much for society to break down and for people to suffer indescribable hardships, or worse, people going feral, and what was even more telling, both the states and the fed gov. We're overwhelmed by it all, and completely useless to the people.
After I retired, I started a small hotshot wildfire outfit, it grew as I realized my unique capabilities and experience could position me to doing things others could not, this experience further showed me that while people are generally good, it only takes a very small incident for them to change into everyone's worst nightmare, folks charging their way through crowds to be the first ones out, while others sat there helplessly as the flames and death crept up to them, all the while patiently awaiting help from law enforcement to eventually guide them out in a slow and orderly manor, which got a number of innocents killed.

History is overfull of examples of breakdowns of society, and how people can change from harmless to murderous in a few heartbeats, food and water become more valuable then gold, and medicine is fought to the death over. People cannot be trusted, even your close family, friends and neighbors, you cannot anticipate how they will react in an event, and even if they are mostly aligned with you at the beginnings, they can change on you suddenly and with out warning, forcing you to react, did they reach their threshold of suffering, or did they experience something that triggered a change, who can know, and so we have to plan for the unthinkable, because that's what usually ends up happening, and trust me when I tell you, putting a bullet through a friend to save him from himself isn't for the faint of heart, not to mention requires a steady nerve and hand, and a keen aim too!

 

Welcome, from the Heart of Dixie! I've been prepping since the late 90s, Y2K and all of that. I soon realized just how inquinate my early preps had been and resolved to do better. A quarter of a century later, I'm about to complete my preps. I'll still have to rotate my food, fuel, seeds, etc., and maintain/repair equipment, but unless some new tech comes along, I'll be done.
I have tried to plan my preps using a mixture of high and low tech with an eye on cost efficiency, cause I'm not made of money. I've also tried to incorporate many of my preps into my rural lifestyle, gardening, hunting, fishing, etc. I have also, been able to steer clear of the ape-sh*t crazy side of prepping, (ex. selling everything, moving to the Rockies and building an underground bunker.).
I'll have the land (10 acres), house, barn, shed, water well, fishpond, garden, fruit trees, berries, grapes, tractor and equipment, food, fuel, generators, solar power, stills, guns for protection, tools, water filters, heat (propane, wood and coal), fans for cooling, seed, food preservation equipment and supplies, livestock (chickens, rabbits, fish, bees, pigs and maybe goats), communication, transportation, PM (silver), etc., etc., etc..

 

Thank you all for the very kind welcomes and for sharing your reflections and experiences!


I am from Denmark in Scandinavia, where our government last year made it official policy to recommend to all citizens that they should stock up, so as to be self-reliant for three days. They made a pamphlet describing what that implies, which my own casual prepping is, so far, largely based on. Here is an English version: https://www.brs.dk/globalassets/brs...oversaettelser/-forberedt-pa-kriser_en-2-.pdf


For me, the interesting question is what I am preparing for? Am I preparing for a 3-day power-outage because Putin (or whoever) shut off the power grid with hybrid warfare – and then a return to normal after those three days? This is what my government seems to suggest…


But should I be preparing for a larger calamity that would fundamentally change society? And if so – what would it look like on the other side?


Best,
Erikmyg

 

Welcome to the tree, from coastal North Carolina.

 

Once you get started in Pepping you realize just how fragile our entire civilization really is. Kinda like a house of cards, remove one or two cards and the entire thing collapses. Usually, it's just a power outage that will be resolved shortly, and sometimes it isn't. The question is, are you willing to sit there in the dark, cold and hungry waiting for the government to make things better or are you gonna do something about it yourself? At a minimum you are gonna need food, water, water filters, warm clothing, heat source and fuel, radios, medications, means of transportation, and the will/means of defending yourself and your preps.
My government tells us that they can function after a nuclear attack, including delivery of the mail and government checks! Our governments aren't gonna tell us the cold hard truth, because most citizens couldn't handle the truth! As far as what the post-TEOTWAWKI world looks like, live and you can help make and write the history, die and you don't!

 

@Erikmyg All good questions! I think the Swedish government also did the same a year or two ago, recommending all citizens have emergency supplies.

My recommendation is start by preparing for one (1) week and I would use @Wildbilly simple list to get started, 'At a minimum you are gonna need food, water, water filters, warm clothing, heat source and fuel, radios, medications, means of transportation, and the will/means of defending yourself and your preps.' After you believe you have enough for 1 week, then move onwards to one month, then 3 months. Frankly, I think 3 months is the minimum one should have, 6 months would be better. However, one-step at a time...

Believe me, it is an on-going venture as you will always find a better way to store things, a better product, a better solution, your prepping will definitely evolve with time. Given your location, warm clothing, sleeping bags, and a heat source is a must. Water is the big pain in the butt as, in truth, you can never have enough so you must have a way to filter water and store water. I have my own well yet when we think we might get a power failure we always fill the bathtub if for nothing else then to use the water to flush the toilets.

The folks here at the Monkey site can help you in a number of ways, lots of experience here in lots of different areas, so if you have a question about radios or food storage or firearms or even off the wall things, just ask. The only stupid question is the question that isn't asked. Remember, you can't do everything at once, take small steps. This is an on-going process. Do what you can, when you can, and continue to add to your emergency supplies, your preps. Like, maybe you will find a good deal on canned foods so stock up while the price is low.

Again, do what you can when you can. Let us know how we can help. I think your government was right in announcing this. The world is changing very fast...and not for the better.

 

You best prepare for running the Muslim trash out and across your border, Shooting them in the ass is A'Okay in my book and good luck!

 

IIRC doesn't it say Babylon shall fall in a day? Have their politicians by bringing in so many sold them out then?

 

I prep because our government (all aspects) are corrupt and only attracts people who are power hungry, have no morals, out to enrich themselves, are liars, unpatriotic and will do whatever it takes to stay in power. Far too many could care less what happens to this country. It's only a matter of time when the house of cards will fall.

 

You can get into Prepping slowly and on a budget, just buy a few extra cans of food each week, or bags of beans and rice. MREs and Coast Guard rations have a long shelf life and require little, or no cooking Have some extra over the counter medications and any prescription drugs. Always keep batteries for flashlights, radios, etc., or have the wind-up kind. Have the means to keep one room of your house warm. Have water and water filters. Have a tool kit, first-aid kit, and personal hygiene kit. If you have a car, try to have fuel (20 gals. or 80 L) in storage, oil and a tire repair kit. Always keep some cash money on-hand, CASH NOT CARDS! An inexpensive handgun and a shotgun with a few hundred rounds of ammo would also be advised After that the sky is the limit!

 

Welcome from the crazy state of California.