Anti-survivalists

diemos · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 23, 2005 Posts: 64

With all of the recent attention given to preparing for the bleak future; stockpiling food, buying farmland, learning basic skills, etc. I was wondering how many people have decided to be anti-survivalists.

I'm sure that there are plenty of people who have no inclination to outlast the current civilization and when TSHTF plan to gracefully bow out and leave y'all to your Hobbsian struggle for survival.

Personally I'm grateful to have lived through the pinnacle of our civilization. To have had access to plenty and luxury and ease. To have enjoyed top notch medical care. To have traveled the world in style. To have had the luxury of devoting my life to the pursuit of knowledge. To never having known hunger or deprivation or want.

When the soviet union went down there was a spike in suicide among the formerly priviledged who couldn't or didn't want to adapt to the new world. Why should I being devoting my efforts to prolonging my existence in this craptastic future world that y'all envision? Why not simply enjoy the good times while they're here?

Laurasia · Intermediate Crude Joined: Jul 10, 2004 Posts: 533

I take my enjoyment where I can; I'm enjoying lots of the fruits of modern civilization, believe me. But I'm also preparing as best I can, and am starting to hear the siren song of a different style of life.

Regards,

L.

GeoJAP · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

There are a few people whom I know on a professional and recreational basis who have openly mocked me for my thoughts on peak oil. They are the American fundamentalist Christian types, and they are very agitated right now with the thought of the future political landscape in the USA where they will lose power. When I heard their comments, I ceased communication with them because I knew they were a lost cause and not worthy of my own energy expended on such a distraction.

At the last family get together a few weeks ago, my extended family discussed oil (and politics) at the dinner table. I brought up several principles of peak oil, including preparation. 75% thought that there would be serious issues in the future, but only myself and my sister-in-law (my brother could not make it) had done any preparation. The other 25% thought we were "hoarding" and were being a little unreasonable. But these 25% are also Fundies, who think God will take care of them.

Pops · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

BigTex · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

For anyone who has read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, you will recall the scene after the world ended in which the wife of the hero simply decided she didn't want to live in a ruined world, explained this to her husband and committed suicide.

It was described in such stark terms it was just as chilling as the rest of the book.

The fact that the hero understood his wife's reasons and didn't find her decision surprising was even more chilling.

(It happened early in the book. Don't worry, no spoiler.)
_________________
Smile

sharewill · Coal Joined: May 24, 2008 Posts: 2

There will be people there from all walks of life. I believe in God, and I study diligently -- and one of the things that caught my attention was the USA was not in the book of Revelation. Now how could the most melting pot nation, the one we the people nation, how could we not be in the book that clearly lays out the countries of the last days? Well, reading PO, and some other info on what is going on world wide, I understand. I don't base my faith on tradition, my relationship with God is real and personal. And I don't think we get to skip through this life, but I know He has a way for me to walk through whatever valleys of the shadow of death -- and that is what is looming on the horizon -- my preparation has been mainly spiritual, however, I did write three stories (out of 16) that describe the upcoming scenarios and how they will be dealt with. I am going to be re-reading them and definitely planning, as in doing what needs to be done. Thanks. Sharewill

mos6507 · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

BigTex · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

Arkwright · Tar Sands Joined: Jan 01, 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Finland

None shall survive! Twisted Evil

Especially those survivalists.
I'ts no fair to prepare when none is.
Damn You! You knew and didn't tell us!
Even though we wouldn't have believed
- its Your Fault that you didn't make us!
And then You dare to raise yourself to better position than rest of us!
You devious survivalists are to blame for our non-survival.
We are all to die, and the only way to show God repentance
is to make sure those survivalists won't escape The Judgement.
None shall survive!

Judas the Fatalistic Anti-Survivalist Survivalist

PS. Hmm.... You look like a survivalist, yes, I KNOW YOU are one.
If you want to know the one route out that my mob isn't quarding, that's 30 silver dollars. Shocked

GeoJAP · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

GeoJAP · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

Cog · Heavy Crude Joined: May 17, 2008 Posts: 140

Its not in my nature just to roll over and give up. Even if I were inclined to do so, I have others to who I owe my efforts to keep them alive no matter what type of world we end up in. What can of man would I be if I took the route of suicide and leave my family to fend for themselves?

Sounds like the route of a coward.

diemos · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 23, 2005 Posts: 64

"At what point along your Hobbsian scale do you plan to exit?"

Don't know. But I suspect I'll know it when I see it.

Perhaps the first time I'm slightly inconvenienced.
Perhaps the first time I hit some guy over the head with a rock in order to steal his scrap of grilled rat.
Perhaps the first time I face having a tooth extracted with nothing but some rusty pliers and a shot of bourbon.

Or perhaps my instincts will win out and I'll fight and claw for life with all my might right to the very end.

All I do know for sure is that in any event I'll be dead at some point and survival is not enough. There has to be more to motivate me than just going on breathing for one more day.

I've been thinking more and more lately about what to do with the rest of my life that would have some real positive effect for the continued existance of civilization. Personal survival just isn't enough.

Pops · Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Anti-survivalists

diemos · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 23, 2005 Posts: 64

44. No family except older relatives.