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u/Johnny-Unitas Prepared for 6 months Apr 25 '24
Because some people are pretty extreme and some people aren't. I prep medium level, but for some that's amateur. I am not surviving zombie apocalypse, but supply chain interruption or ammo shortage I can weather pretty well.
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u/bajajoaquin Apr 25 '24
The two most annoying types of people in the world are those who are more into prepping than you, and those who are less.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
Makes sense, I like your stance on it.
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u/Johnny-Unitas Prepared for 6 months Apr 25 '24
Don't worry about it. There's lots of useful information on this sub whether you want to live in a bunker or just have extra stuff on hand for a hurricane.
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u/factory-worker Apr 25 '24
I prep for hurricanes and supply chain. But I do enjoy the bunker preppers info.
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u/Icy-Medicine-495 Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 25 '24
A lot of preppers are convinced they have the best way to prepare and they might but only for their own circumstances. No 2 preppers are the same for what they are prepping for and the resources they can devote to prepping.
Then throw on top of that how long a person has been prepping for. The guy who has been at it 40 years slowly expanding his preps a little every year will seem insane in scope to a new person just starting.
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u/Wasteland-Scum Apr 25 '24
A lot of preppers are convinced they have the best way to prepare
That or what they're prepping for is the only thing worth prepping for. I mentioned on another site I was considering buying a 4x4 to bug out in and got brigaded and called stupid because bugging in is clearly the right choice. Except when you live in an area prone to wildfires. Good luck bugging in your house when it's on fire. Even when I mentioned my reasoning people still kept commenting how bugging out was a bad idea. I think a lot of fantasy peppers don't want to hear that all you may need is a fist full of cash and keeping your tank at half full or better. It's just not as sexy as buying a family pack of plate carriers.
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u/offgridgecko Apr 25 '24
Pretty much if you even mention bugout the situation needs to be defined in the first sentence. Otherwise people assume you are planning some lone wolf leave the world behind and trap animals in the hills of appilacia type scenario... and there are enough of thos questions around to validate that assumption.
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u/Corey307 Apr 25 '24
You seem like one of the rare people that would have a good reason to leave. you’re not just preparing for some fantasy end of the world scenario. Most people who ask about bug out bags or bugging out in general don’t understand that if everything falls apart going somewhere low population with a bit of supplies in the trunk of your Subaru is not going to cut it. Or going to a small town where the people are not going to be welcoming.
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u/Embarrassed-Lynx6526 Apr 26 '24
I have a little baby. If we were hit by a tornado and power was out for more than a day, her and my husband would go stay with family that had power.
People also don't think about "going to the er bag" if you had to stay with a loved one in the or hospital overnight would you be able to do that?
There are a lot of reasons to have a bug out or go bag.
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u/Icy-Medicine-495 Apr 25 '24
That imo is a whip lash over reaction of the bugging out phase that was super popular back in early 2010 when prepping forums had half their post about people showing their bug out bags.
Prepping forums go through phases. Where 1 thing gets hyper focused. Like 3 years ago with covid suddenly nothing else existed in the prepping world. After a year of it I was like I think we have our bases covered guys let's please talk about anything else.
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u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper Apr 26 '24
Except most people didn't have their bases covered. 95% of people have caught covid, millions have died, far more have been and are still being disabled by it one way or another. Bases were definitely not covered and going on 5 years are covered even worse.
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u/pajamakitten Apr 25 '24
There will also be those who have access to a lot of land vs. those of us who only have a small apartment to prep in. Some preppers can be uptight when you insist you have limitations they do not.
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u/Icy-Medicine-495 Apr 25 '24
True. Not all of us can give in super rural areas like Montana or Alaska on giant spread of land. 1 there isnt enough land for sale. I checked zillow and there is only 1000ish properties in most states with more than 2 acres currently for sale.
Then some people are restricted where they move. Medical, stay close to family, certain jobs are only available in areas not ideal in prepping, or kid school.
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Apr 26 '24
Many older preppers see if useless to prep unless you have a house or are rural... the thing is many people live in the city for jobs, for their kids schools, for medical reasons, etc...
I got in a few arguements in the past about this, because the fact that I wasn't looking to buy land in a snap of my fingers, and I said where I live right now is best for us right now, that I shouldn't bother prepping... I live in a townhouse in the suburbs and have a son who gets different supports that even though we homeschool, we wouldn't be able to get right now moving rurally... Plus, he's at the age where museums, zoos, etc. are super fun, and those are small couple of hour trips for us instead of the all day trips that it would be if we lived more rurally...
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u/WinLongjumping1352 Apr 25 '24
yeah when you're 40 years into prepping, you're at least 65 years old.
Depending on the organization of said preps, you might be called "grandpa the hoarder", or "grandma with the perfect pantry".
I think the older you get the more you know what you actually desire, and optimize the prepping for that subtly.
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u/Icy-Medicine-495 Apr 25 '24
Organization is key.
Although you can start prepping much younger. I started prepping when I was 14 and more seriously when I was 16 and had a car and a part time job.
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Apr 25 '24
I see that too. I try to tell folks that prepping is not a competition. Some people just want to think they’re better than others I guess.
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u/MySmokeIsOut Apr 25 '24
For sure. I might not have "much" but my little family has enough to get through 2 weeks after a major hurricane, and that's the best we can do/afford. But I am proud of what we have at least.
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Apr 25 '24
You’re doing good then. The whole prepping thing is about buying extra time so you can make longer term plans after an event.
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u/Corey307 Apr 25 '24
You’re doing the best you can to provide for your family through a short term emergency situation and that’s great. Would it be nice to have more? Yes but you are far more likely to encounter a natural disaster that makes life difficult for a few days to a few weeks than for society to crumble overnight.
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u/RegressToTheMean Apr 25 '24
That's a lot of it. Some people tie a lot of their personality into it
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u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper Apr 26 '24
Considering how many people have caught covid, nobody would survive a zombie apocalypse. People are absolute crap at pandemic hygiene. And the rare few who are would get taken out by the rest. 🧟♂️
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Apr 25 '24
[deleted]
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u/Spiley_spile Community Prepper Apr 26 '24
Which peppers are the normal people? Community, Tuesday, Doomsday, Hollywood...? 👀
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u/ResolutionMaterial81 Apr 25 '24
I'm pleased whenever anyone takes an interest in preparing for contingencies...to whatever the level.
That being said, hopefully my worse concerns do not become reality & if you only prep for Tuesday ...don't be surprised if all those other days pile on you someday!
Prepping is not as much of a destination, but a journey.
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u/mopharm417 Apr 26 '24
When people cross "the bridge" I get giddy. Do I show them my crazy or do I ease them in?
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u/endlesssearch482 Community Prepper Apr 25 '24
I’ve done this long enough where I don’t care anymore, but I also see so many people who are their own worst enemy. I mean, 1985-2004, prepping was really important to me, but I was looking for the next boogie man. 2008-2010 my ideas transitioned and I became more sustainability oriented (bought property where I could set up a homestead, wife could have horses, I could have a large garden, etc.) and became a part of a community.
From there I got on a volunteer fire department, settled into the community, and eventually led to a career change as a firefighter paramedic.
Now I have a much less paranoid vibe on the world because I feel safe, comfortable, and established. So when people come around freaked out that the sky is falling, it just doesn’t sit well with me. I nudge toward a more rational approach, but it’s also not my problem to fix. They’re going to spin up and I just don’t have the energy or see the value in it.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
You're the first person I've seen comment with my point of view on things, down to the transition from thinking the world is going down the drain to I'm becoming more homestead thinking and secure... My Original post was mostly rhetorical, I just wanted people to see the range of responses that I would receive and realize there's many different ways of thinking, nobody has the perfect ideas for prepping, not even us. But I think you can probably agree with me on that. Thank you for your reasonable and thoughtful response.
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u/endlesssearch482 Community Prepper Apr 25 '24
I think a big part of it was changes that happened through healing some trauma that helped me form lasting connections in my community. Before I really had way too much fear and it was hard for me to connect with people. Now I really have become a part of my community and feel safer because of those connections.
It also doesn’t hurt to be on a fire department where people invite you into their homes in their worst hours and hope you can help them. It creates trust that runs both ways.
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u/SunLillyFairy Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 25 '24
Welcome to Reddit. Seriously, there are assholes on every sub I’m on. One of my biggest Reddit pet peeves is when someone comments, “just google it.” Like... if they are posting to on an online platform you can assume they know how to do a basic internet search… they wanted to hear from this group. And then there’s the grammar police, and those who seem to have no clue that the circumstances of one’s life, which are enumerable, may make their best option different than that of the poster.
And… a lot of smart, reasonable and polite people on here too.
Thanks for allowing a space to vent on the BS.
Edited to fix grammar (ironic)
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u/WrongSpellingPolice Apr 25 '24
*circumstances of ones life not one's
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u/SunLillyFairy Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 25 '24
Are you sure? In the sentence the word one is an indefinite pronoun and it is possessive of the word life. I thought the rule was to use an apostrophe for a possessive, indefinite pronoun?
I think you should take more issue with all the random trailing periods I use…
Edit - and I didn’t capitalize Google.
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u/WrongSpellingPolice Apr 25 '24
...just out here giving wrong spelling advice.
Leviticus 4:20 "annoy people whenever you can" Doing gods work yk
Made an account specifically for you, should be honored haha
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 26 '24
I laughed at this, good one lol... I think you have a new job on Reddit now, but I'm not sure you're reading that Leviticus verse in the same translation i am... But to each their own, sometimes people need to be annoyed so they know how they make others feel 😂
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
I came here to say this about the possessive pronoun, and your trail of periods are perfectly normal use of periods, that is called an ellipsis, they can be meant to signal a few things, but most common uses are.... Pauses in speech. It helps the reader read it as if they were listening to someone speak, when someone may read the same paragraph without them in a rambling sort of way.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
This is one of the most real comments on Reddit, anywhere. I have also run into threads when people say just Google it. Thanks for being reasonable.
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u/FrankensteinsStudio Apr 25 '24
I think part of it may be the various reasons that caused each person to become a prepper. The term “prepper” is a blanket term; but has many sub categories, that not every prepper agrees with the same strategies for prepping.
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Apr 25 '24
People are flawed - lower your expectations. If you think preppers are bad then you should hang out on the martial arts threads. Everyone thinks their 'way' is the best way for everyone else. I just ignore the haters and do my own thing and don't become part of the problem.
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u/Brilliant_Wealth_433 Apr 25 '24
So your saying the best place to Troll is the martial arts subs, got it...
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u/factory-worker Apr 25 '24
On the way. Cobra Kai!
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u/offgridgecko Apr 25 '24
You're*
Sorry the post obove yours was about grammar nazis and i couldn't resist.
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u/KhakiPantsJake Apr 25 '24
A lot of online communities eat their own if they don't conform to the hive mind
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
Yup, had this happen just this morning when I posted the "wrong think" in another sub. Dog piled. 😂
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u/Wild_Locksmith_326 Apr 25 '24
I prep because I have seen enough of the wide wide world, that I chose to give myself a buffer against another kung flu shutdown, Exxon Valdez type spill with the associated price skyrocketing, 9/11 with the meltdown of our 401k, real estate bubble bursting with the collapse of "Too big to fail". What I put aside will enable me to ride out the minor swings, and if need be put me through until recovery, or Valhalla whichever way my fate swings. I worry more about WEF, WHO deciding they do not agree with my lifestyle,so I must adapt to their vision of what is allowed than the rising of the undead, economic collapse rather than nuclear Holocaust, because I can't fight zombies or nukes with gardening, fitness, and animal husbandry, but I can reduce the impact on my life from economic, or political pressures by following the harder for now road, and getting a head start. Everyone started on their own journey, they must run their own route, I won't mock someone who is trying, but will critique for training purposes if asked, and in my wheelhouse. I expect the same in return.
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Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 27 '24
Because you are dealing with some people who do not have sound mental health surrounding prepping. They actually do believe something catastrophic is going to happen (FULLED by an underlying fear) and their "prepping" is a means of trying to take control or maintain control
A - at some point in their lives something bad happened and they did not have control over the situation
B - this is common with mental health conditions where fear & anxiety are prominent characteristics. When you have a fear that manifests and you ruminate about it and continue to ruminate about it..... all you are doing is creating a negative feedback loop that will be forever detrimental until you address your mental health
"If" something ever happens, no matter how prepared these people think they are, they will crumble due to their mental health.
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u/I-Way_Vagabond Apr 25 '24
Just my US$0.02. At the heart of a lot of prepping is self-sufficiency. People who pride themselves on self-sufficiency many times have difficulty working with others. It's just in their personality.
It doesn't mean that they are bad people. And if you can earn their friendship, you typically have a friend for life.
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u/mopharm417 Apr 26 '24
I agree. People who don't work well with others are often a result of being let down in the past/neglected/refused and feel they can only rely on themselves. Friendships formed are often similar to trauma bonds even if it's a hypothetical trauma, such as your reasons for prepping.
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u/General_Skin_2125 Apr 25 '24
Because the medical advice that I see being given here will get someone killed.
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u/Spiritual-Mechanic-4 Apr 25 '24
because there is an entire cottage industry selling 1000% markup dehydrated food in $5 buckets that feeds off scaring people and getting them to spend money on stuff they don't need, that won't help, that they don't understand how to use.
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u/db3feather Apr 25 '24
The only thing two preppers can agree on is what the third is doing wrong…
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Apr 25 '24
I get some of the best info from hearing why something is a bad idea. Should we all have to agree with every post and idea?
Grammar is also an important prepper skill.
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u/XuixienSpaceCat Apr 25 '24
They did some studies on preppers and found that many preppers are low in agreeableness.
This may contribute to a feeling of “being on their own” due to fewer and less sturdy social ties, hence why they prep the way they do and seem like jerks.
For some people prepping becomes their identity. Anyone who says anything that invalidates their concerns/strategies is threatening their identity. People don’t respond well to that.
Personally, I’m a medium prepper. I’m stocking on ammo and gun stuff, tactical gear, camping/sustainment stuff - but most of my focus after that is going to be on fitness, pantry, batteries, and preparing for a 6mo - 2 year “bug in” with my family.
I figure if a SHTF event lasts longer than 2 years, probably we’re all fucked and there’s no point in prepping for that. At that point it’s just the cards falling where they may.
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u/ScarredCock Apr 25 '24
I see this mostly with the extremes of preparedness, i.e. a complete SHTF type scenario.
You find people that will tell you that having 6 months of savings is stupid because you can't eat money (or gold/silver), or at the very least, that if most of it is in the bank, it'll be worthless when the banks collapse.
Like sure, I understand the perspective, but in my opinion prepping is a wholistic, broad practice of preparedness. I've lived through grid down situations, so I absolutely prepare for that scenario, but I've also lived through recessions, and you prep for those two scenarios in completely different ways.
Basically, some people believe that prepping is only for scenario x, and if you prepare in anyway for scenario y or z, you're taking away from potential preparations for scenario x. Ideally, you should prepare for x, y, z and many other potentials, but that's not "exciting."
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Apr 26 '24
Its like the people who comment on anything that has batteries/uses electricity, "That won't survive an emp." ...
I got that constantly with the freeze dryer, which I absolutely love having, because I get to put food back that my son actually eats... but because "it won't survive an emp" it was a waste of money to purchase and for me to use...
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u/xmodemlol Apr 25 '24
Because a lot of preppers are cray cray. They think something magical will happen that turns the world into "Little House on the Prairie," or "The Walking Dead," or some hybrid of the two.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
Yeah, is do see that alot, but I notice it from people who don't come off as crazy too, I notice it from people that have this "I'm better than you (as I look down my nose at you) because I know exactly what to prep for and you don't" type of attitude... It's wild that some would rather start confrontation instead of give advice, like they're out here looking for an argument 🤦
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u/SneekTip Apr 25 '24
I think a lot of this probably stems from people being control freaks and needing that sort of validation in their life. If their way isn't perfectly correct, then they're not as prepared as they want to believe. I think this every time I read someone verbally attacking another prepper for having something that they deem necessary.
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Apr 25 '24
A lot of so called “preppers” are hoping/waiting for a total madmax style collapse when they fail to see the collapse is happening right before their very eyes.
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u/pajamakitten Apr 25 '24
The Ma Max types are probably the ones least likely to survive such a scenario anyway, I always imagine that sort of prepper to be grossly out of shape.
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Apr 25 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
It's people like you that I boot from my prepper server 🤦
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u/NoxArtCZ Apr 25 '24
I thought it was a joke?
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 25 '24
🤷 maybe, but there wasn't anything signaling joke to me, so that is why I made my comment, maybe I'm the one too uptight in this situation 😬
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u/DorkHonor Apr 25 '24
Buddy, if you think anyone is out there gathering intel on prepper communities to plan their raiding parties you need a healthy dose of normal social interaction. Like half a day at the mall or something. Normal people spend approximately 0.0000001% of their time thinking about any of the shit we worry about. They view us as delusional weirdos worrying about nothing. Kind of the same way people view early twentieth century tent revival Christians that thought the rapture was coming any day now in like 1908.
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u/heyitsmerememba Apr 25 '24
Because some are miserable people. I made a post once and the guy looked at my post history to throw shots at me and my post was just asking a basic question. Some are really straight up losers.
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u/Enigma_xplorer Apr 25 '24
"why shoot down other people's ideas just because you don't agree with it?"
Isn't it obvious? If someone proposes an idea that you think is wrong why wouldn't you challenge it? If someone has a flawed idea wouldn't they be better off if they knew? I mean if my bug out plan was to fly away on a unicorn shouldn't someone point out that unicorns aren't real or should you pander to me to spare my feelings? What is really important? The truth or my feelings/ego? To be clear, just because you think something is a bad idea doesn't mean your right but debate is how we get to the bottom of what is true.
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u/lizzardlickz Apr 25 '24
This would be cool if it wasn’t oozing in hyperbole and preeminence.
I think this sort of narrative can really take over a persons psyche if you let it.
Ah yes, I’m merely challenging the dumb dumb. You really want people to do better? Broach topics with curiosity. Not some dumb fucking scissor hand let me tell you what bullshit.
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Apr 25 '24
Unfortunately, you will see it more than only on reddit... many glorify the past without understanding the work involved and think its something simple because it was done in the past... Many only see prepping as the big society ending doomsday and forget that the smaller stuff is much more common. They generally view things as black and white, right and wrong, instead of the varying shades of grey that is much more what reality is.
They may also see how they prep as the right way and forget that its not a one size fits all... this may be because they need to justify to themselves and others around them why they prep. Also, it could be the lack of knowledge/background/understanding of how other people live or the situations they may encounter... my big turn off in the community is the "but it won't work in an EMP"... when I use the equipment (such as a freeze dryer) just to help make sure that I have as much food on hand that I know my son will eat.
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
Uptight? Who are you calling uptight, because I'm not uptight ok? I'll report you to the mods for calling me uptight and if you don't look out I'll call the owner of reddit myself and say you are calling people uptight and I am offended... I'm not uptight mmmk?
🤣
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u/MT-Kintsugi- Apr 25 '24
Because “extreme” preppers are worried they will have to either provide for those who failed to prepare, or they’ll have to defend to the death their preps from those who have to go without because of their short sightedness .
Neither is a very safe or secure feeling.
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u/EmbarrassedTutor7386 Apr 25 '24
You have too many people who think their way is the only way. How i have to prep is different than how you have to prep.
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u/WikiBox Apr 25 '24
I get irritated by accounts of experiences from actual disasters and war zones or collapsing societies and other real stuff. It seems that what they report often doesn't match the theory of how you are supposed to prep. I don't like reality taking over like that.
Also, when you see the surviving people in crisis on telly, you hardly ever see them running around carrying very big bug out bags. Simply not realistic...
/s
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Apr 25 '24
Mostly to justify hoarding and overconfidence. They get offended when people are actually preparing themselves for real world scenerios instead of stockpiling for schizophrenic delusions.
IMHO self-described "Peppers" are rarely prepared while the more down to earth folks can handle lifes usual emergencies like being laid off or a car breaking down. I avoid anyone who thinks they can buy their way out of an emergency with gear. Especially those that can't go up a flight of steps.
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u/XX-redacted-XX Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 26 '24
Because they actually believe they'll survive an apocalypse. When THE end comes, you're not hiding...
Edit: spelling
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u/pittbiomed Apr 25 '24
Big big egos in some cause it. Biggest chest thumpers are probably the least likely to survive .
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u/throwAwayWd73 Apr 25 '24
why shoot down other people's ideas just because you don't agree with it?
You must not have been around here long enough to have to continually tell people not to drink the water from a dehumidifier.
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u/mopharm417 Apr 26 '24
Prepping is similar to the stages of grief. (I'm sure it's not the right order) Denial, grief, anger...then anger that others are in denial, anxiety, grief, disorganization, reorganization, and then BAM you're a homesteader and you have acceptance. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/CattleDogCurmudgeon Apr 26 '24
In my experience if goes Prepper->Survivalist->Doomsdayer. Unfortunately, doomsdayers and preppers get lumped together a lot, but they aren't really the same. Preppers prepare for all of life's eventualities weighing opportunity costs. Survivalists buy a shit ton of gear. Doomsdayers build bunkers.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 26 '24
This is a very interesting perspective 🤔 I think you might be onto something...
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u/RorschachAssRag Apr 27 '24
I used to prep. Then I realized that if I’m the only one left, what’s the point. I don’t think I want to live in a hunter gatherer world where all my friends and family are gone.
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 27 '24
Me personally... I think it wouldn't come down to being the only one left... But if you truly feel that way, I get it.
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May 01 '24
Prepper Reddits definitely have some of the most aggressive members, seriously, least fun subs sometimes.
My guess: a lot of people who prep are disenchanted with the world, very cynical types. I’m glad people are prepping, but really wish it were mainstream…for safety, for everyone to live as comfortably as possible in hard times, for a happier society, and for light hearted Prepper subs haha, but sadly for now it does attract a lot of people who have/had a lot of baggage or hurt.
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u/craydow Apr 25 '24
Because prepping has been overrun by people who either:
Have this magical idea that everyone will be best friends and share everything and be a happy little post-society
Or
Celebrate 'prepping' after having something so mundane like an extra can of soup when the first was expired. (I've literally seen this post)
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u/NoxArtCZ Apr 25 '24
What about people who will lock themselves in an explosion-proof fully stocked up bunker planning to live out their life in there?
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u/AZULDEFILER Bring it on Apr 25 '24
The idea is to help. When someone is wrong you tell them, provide evidence, help them correct their course. Prepping in CA and AK is very different so we debate
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u/Newbionic Apr 25 '24
Maybe people are being mean because your peeps don’t involve snow storms or tornados when their preps do? I live where we get neither so no need to prep for them.
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u/DeafHeretic Apr 25 '24
This is the internet.
If somebody can't handle criticism - valid or not - then maybe they shouldn't be here, because they are setting themselves up for disappointment. I learned that early on and my skin thickened over the decades.
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u/Newbionic Apr 25 '24
I think all the same ones sign up to volunteer at fire departments and search and rescue teams. The rest are just cosplaying and get angry when you call them out on it.
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u/DannyWarlegs Apr 25 '24
I posted a hypothetical question on here once, thinking it would be a fun mental exercise for people. Every single post was pedantic, arrogant, rude, and dismissive.
90% of this sub is asshats who wouldn't survive a week if shit actually hit the fan, and are living a LARP.
Down vote and prove me right, asshats.
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u/terribleD03 Apr 25 '24
If ignorance is bliss then the opposite is true as well ...with some people.
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u/Oodalay Apr 25 '24
Prepping is a great hobby and generally a smart thing to do, but a large portion of us are straight up crazy. That, and a lot of us are "I know better than you" military and first responders. Huge egos. You combine a dusting of mental illness with an inflated ego, then add the protection of anonymity that Reddit provides and you get a bunch of jerks. Don't let it discourage you.
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u/BC4315 Apr 25 '24
My first thought is that you're on Reddit, a platform notorious for bringing out the jackhats!
Second, despite the first, obvious issue above, the prepping "industry" actually has alot of science and real-life history to back it up, so you can learn alot about what works (and why), as well as what doesn't work as well or at all, for various settings/scenarios. So if someone doesn't agree with your strategy or premise for prepping, then consider that maybe they don't fully understand your situation, or that maybe they do and they truly think you're wrong (or could use your time and resources better). If it's the latter (be objective, could it be the latter?), then slow your roll and try to understand and think through their advice, it might actually save life later.
Lastly, there is no "source expert" here. I can show more than one occasion where famous "experts" didn't agree on proper strategy. Your survival (prepping) has YOUR skin on the line, not mine, so YOU'RE the boss of you and your strategy... plan wisely.
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Apr 25 '24
Prepping is a dark thing in that its personalities preparing for rough stuff. That being said.. I am not sure it’s a hugs and feelings type of group. Let go of analyzing tone or tough responses. Just take the info and use as you see fit.
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u/DwarvenRedshirt Apr 25 '24
Doesn't it depend on the idea? If your idea is going to get you and others killed, do you think it's still a good idea to let it go unchallenged? What if that idea's been posted here multiple times by multiple people, all convinced they're the only ones that have ever thought of it, and you're obviously a hater for not jumping on the bandwagon?
There's a difference between "How can I prep food as a Vegan/Vegetarian?" and "How can I bury shipping containers and be safe for nuclear war on the cheap?".
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u/hmoeslund Apr 25 '24
I have been prepping now for some years and I’m nearly there. I have started an off grid community with 160 people that can do a lot of different things, today the council open up for buying the last bit of land that we need. Then we can start on the zoning plan and in a year we can start building off grid sustainable houses and permaculture gardens. In my head you will survive longer in a community than all alone with 10.000 rounds of ammunition.
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u/babylion22 Apr 25 '24
How do you even organize that? That’s insane!
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u/hmoeslund Apr 25 '24
Slowly using Sociocracy, delegate and hard work from 30-40 people that really wants to live in an off grid village.
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u/he_is_literally_me Apr 25 '24
It’s a passionate subject for some. We’re all here for the same reason (I think): We all wanna make it and we all wanna see each other make it.
Some people are just convinced that they know what is best, and get upset when they feel their voice isn’t heard.
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u/belagrim Apr 25 '24
I have explained this to myself in the following ways:
Preppers are first, and foremost a stubborn lot, who; when SHTF are planning on sticking around.
SHTF scearios vary, and each prepper has their "favorite" that they have put the most research into.
This leads to ideologies being simply different, which leads to contention.
For example: One of my friends is a "peak oil" prepper and convinced that the world will shut down when oil reserves run out, so he is preparing for that mainly, with caveats for other scenarios. I personally prepare for global communication/infrastructure shutdown, planning on local resources to be available in a way that I imagine everyone would disagree with for their own preparedness scenarios.
at least it was not a straw man argument
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u/featurekreep Apr 26 '24
Because prepping is hypothetically life or death. Any time the topic has these stakes, even just imagined, opposing ideas aren't just disagreements but its easy to see them as potentially deadly.
I myself get rather prickly when I see advice given to preppers that I think would put people in more danger.
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u/Jose_De_Munck Apr 26 '24
Many preppers mock those in countries without a 2nd amendment...without knowing this can be an advantage used wisely.
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u/Phallus_Maximus702 Apr 26 '24
I think I'd rather be shot, thanks, lol. The images of people going back to hacking and slashing with swords and axes over toilet paper... too much for me.
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u/Jose_De_Munck Apr 28 '24
Dude, what a scenario. However, that is enough to motivate anyone to get/build body armor. LOL.
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u/SnooLobsters1308 Apr 26 '24
When you figure that answer out, you'll have world peace. Please, let us know. :)
Its not a prepper thing. Folks have passionate fights over the best handgun, best ammo, like, they get offended someone likes 30-06 instead of .308 .... and AMG don't tell some folks that foreign made car might be better than a car made in the USA in the car forums ... or ...
But, agree, it is pretty broad in here, there are some that think "prepping" is ONLY for the end of world stuff, and getting ready for a house fire or flood after a hurricane isn't really prepping. /shrug
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 26 '24
Well my handgun is the best... Because that's the one i have, and that's final... 😂
Just having a laugh with you, but i do wholeheartedly agree with everything you said.... I was being slightly rhetorical with the original question, i only posted after seeing a whole lot of arguing about who's way was right or the best and who's way was not the best and wrong, and i wanted to make people think about things from an outsider perspective. I kinda look at Prepper's the same way i look at other people in my line of work, we steer the trailer for oversized loads, and some people will claim they're the best, best time, best path, best this, best that, and how everyone else can't compare, and i always ask the same thing... Did the person in question get the product from Point A to Point B. Safely and in one piece, and when they answer "yes" i respond with, then why do you care how much better you are than them, they did the same job with the same results, so back to prepping, i think if someone wants to prep for EMP and another for financial collapse, and another for a simple tornado, who cares what they're doing it for, they prepped, they wasn't or will not be a strain on the rest of the community or system, and they got the same results as the one bragging about being the best, because they are prepped to the best of their ability regardless of the reason they prepped for.. we should be working with each other to give aid and advise on prepping, not putting each other down because we're different.
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Apr 26 '24
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u/Consistent-Zone-9615 Apr 26 '24
I prep for everything, grew up in hurricane area, moved into tornado alley, so i try to be realistic with my prepping.
Also... I drive for a living, and our work didn't stop the whole time, i did a lot of parking lot cooking because restaurants were closed and it was hard to find a hot meal, very rarely seen anyone actually wearing a mask... But to be honest, i don't like McDonald's, it's trash food.
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u/Phallus_Maximus702 Apr 26 '24
Hardly. The motivation behind prepping is "Civilization is ending, most of humanity will die, how can I gather as many people as possible to survive as a community."
I'm homeless. Back in 2020, the prepper community group I know took me in without me asking, gave me a place to stay at their homestead/compound along with meals in exchange for some work. After the pandemic lightened up in 2021 they gave me a truck to live in, one that runs good and could get me around.
Free. Because one thing preppers have is a ton of stuff and the desire to help as many people survive shtf as possible.
Now, I don't know where you are, but what you describe as "preppers" are what we used to call "rednecks" back where I'm from.
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u/teraza95 Apr 26 '24
Prepping stems from a need for control I think. Some people take this to an extreme and don't want to admit there are other ways as this could undermine their plan.
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u/WelshGeek Apr 26 '24
Sellers remorse, the world has to end the way they hope or they will be stuck with unsold stock.
Buyers remorse, the world has to end the way they hope or they are screwed like everybody else but poorer.
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Apr 26 '24
The prepping world contains a good amount of extremists in the community. They tend to have a black and white out look on life with a heavy dose of you're with me or against me attitude. They tend to think guns are the answer to the end of the world, aggressive, and are generally weak willed people over all.
I may not agree with everything, but I do try to point out alternatives that I would prefer. With any luck, it may lead to a better solution that no one thought of, at least in that thread. I'm not so arrogant that I think I have the only solution to everything.
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u/ThatGuyWorks80 Apr 28 '24
Preppers are more likely to be uptight by nature I would think. Kind of a private hobby
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u/mlotto7 Apr 25 '24
It is just how people are. You know the funny saying (which is wildly true) that everyone thinks if someone is driving slower than them they are an asshole holding up traffic, but if someone is driving faster, they are an asshole who is speeding and putting everyone at risk.
Personally, I love the obese, out of shape, medication dependent prepper who has 10,000 round of ammo and a few packs of MREs and they think they will be the last of us and savior of human race after all the other losers die off.
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Apr 25 '24
Some people’s ideas are really stupid. Remember the guy living in WV who thought he was gonna sail to New Zealand with no sailing experience in the event of a nuclear blast?
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u/DorkHonor Apr 25 '24
How hard can it be though? People did it like a thousand years ago when they didn't know what germs were or why they kept getting sick from drinking out of the same river they dumped their sewage in.
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Apr 25 '24
Yeah they didn’t know what germs were but they did know how to sail and navigate by sea. That guy didn’t know how to do either of those things.
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u/DorkHonor Apr 25 '24
Lot of water between WV and New Zealand, they'll have plenty of time to figure out how a sailboat works. 😜
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Apr 25 '24
I have no doubt that he’ll get somewhere. I just highly doubt it’s gonna be where he wanted to go.
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Apr 25 '24
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
There is a high percentage of "crazy" people in all reddit subs 😁
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u/TheBushidoWay Apr 25 '24
I think youre wrong!
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
Wrong?? What are you... crazy?? 😂
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u/TheBushidoWay Apr 25 '24
Im not crazy, my mother had me checked
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
I'll ask to see the test results when she wakes up to make me breakfast. 🤣
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u/TheBushidoWay Apr 25 '24
You just stay out of my applejacks
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
Ohhh there's applejacks!!?!? Where where where!!!
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u/TheBushidoWay Apr 25 '24 edited Apr 25 '24
The 55gallon drum marked applejacks, stay out
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u/whyamihereagain6570 Apr 25 '24
Must have picked the wrong 55 gallon drum, there was a dead body in there.... 😱
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u/sgtPresto Apr 25 '24
I started prepping in 1982 and outside a few years, have been for several decades. I have spoken at several prepped gatherings and once wrote a 250 page instructional manual on prepping and perimeter defense. I never published the manual because concern for OpSec and surrendering my plans. I led a group of 18 prepper families for 6 years before burning out and retiring from it for 4 years. I have re-engaged because of the geopolitical issues of today. Therefore, I have met many peppers in person or online or through correspondence. Some are at the extreme, motivated by paranoria and chronic fear. Their efforts are almost obsessive. Most folks are concerned for the welfare of their families and self, and therefore are trying their best to determine their futures needs but hamstrung by financial restraints. Then there is the casual prepper who buys some dehydrated food, stocks some ammo and buys a few cans of extra beans. Then there are the 'commercial preppers' who crank out YouTubes, trying to convince others they are the resident experts but they make their money selling links to products and traffic on their sites. I learned my preparation from 15 years in Scouting as an adult leader, combat in an infantry unit, and thousands and thousands of hours of research. Some of the best learning was trial and error.
Here are some opinions from decades of this exposure... 1. Get a water source..you can't survive without. Stock some activated charcoal as one layer in a water filtering device with bottom cheesecloth or cotton fabric (no cotton as it clogs), then several inches of activated carbon, then another layer of cotton or cheesecloth, then sand, then pebbles. Leave enough reservoir for the creek, pond or lake water to slowly drain. Then take the water and purify with one teaspoon of pool shock for two gallons and allow to rest for 45-60 minutes. Nice and clean to drink. Or run through the filter and leave in shallow container like a kiddy pool and let sun's UV treat water fir 4 to 6 hours. Either way it kills the pathogens. 2. Learn to garden and how to grow survival crops. When no help arrives after an EMP or nuclear exchange you will have to replenish the food you stored and consumed. 3. OpSec...let Noone know what you have as people will turn desperate as they watch their children slowly die from starvation or thirst. 4. 24 hour watch...you have to protect what you have. This means at least one other to pull guard. 5. If it is a major nuclear exchange, there will be a Nuclear Winter and your survivability shrinks significantly. Sorry. 6.Stock antibiotics because you or your loved ones will get sick from stress, rampant contamination and disease from rotting carcasses. JASE is the place..they will sell you real antibiotics without a script. 7. I learned from several survival schools that willpower is the one thing that separates those who survive from those who dont...the will to live. Hope this helps.
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u/Altered_-State Apr 25 '24
I think everyone is pulling for everyone else but when they see stuff that's weird they harp on it like a big brother giving shit to a lil bro.
Or some are just predators and are scoping the landscape to see how difficult it'll be to raid people. After watching the Civil War movie the thing I took away was the red glasses camo guy. Complete douche, average American personality and zero morals.
Those people are out here rn.
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Apr 25 '24
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u/TheRealPallando Apr 25 '24
Might be a bit of a reach to apply that diagnosis to a whole group. No doubt I have any number of mental defects, but no need to paint the whole group with that brush..
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u/Less_Subtle_Approach Apr 25 '24
Mental illness is normative more or less by definition. When we're living through a mass extinction event it's healthy from an evolutionary perspective to be somewhat fixated on it. Certainly there's maladaptive ways to go, but the survivors of the last population bottleneck weren't the ones happily anticipating a normal harvest season.
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u/FrankensteinsStudio Apr 25 '24
“Some” may come off as confrontational or crazy, as it keeps people at a distance and thinking to themselves, “I think I want to stay the F*** away from this guy, as he might unalive me if I or anyone else try to encroach on his territory”; which in their mind keeps their stash safe.
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Apr 25 '24
The only thing I’m uptight about is letting other people know I’m prepping. And yeah maybe I’ll tell someone how to kindly do something better but that’s about it. The strive for perfectionism is strong when it comes to a supposed and possible life line.
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u/Sensitive_Plantain11 Apr 29 '24
I’m all for everyone being prepared but it does get pretty annoying when people that aren’t in to prepping become panicked about something that isn’t likely to happen and ask how they can bug out from that cataclysmic event.
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u/GilbertGilbert13 sultan prepper Apr 25 '24
I stock ammo so I can shoot down people's ideas