I think survivalists are a number of things, historians, craftsmen, scholars, creators and outdoorsmen. They have a number of "hobbies" which revolve around one essential point. To survive through circumstances that come with living on a planet with nature's unpredictable forces. We know through out history that nature's forces have determined whether or not civilizations have thrived or perished. The antithesis for a survivalist is to perish. To Perish means: to ruin, to deteriorate, to be wiped out or die an untimely death. So to start a survivalist is one who doesn't want to perish. He is a fighter but also an adapter who seeks harmony through being prepared. A survivalist wants to chose the time of his dying, Not be a victim to the harsh changes of the world.

Through out history, humans had to be survivalists it determined whether you lived or died. Prehistoric man and woman developed tools from rocks and plants, to grow into a huge thriving metropolis we are today. Somewhere along the line, survivalists came to be frowned upon. In America pioneers also had to be survivalists. Pioneers exchanged and stole much from the indigenous peoples of this country. Who were also survivalists. In the modern age humans created a surplus of seemingly unending comfort. This illusion has rendered the survivalist obsolete and made human survival a weird "hobby".

As nature continues to show its power. We now have added to our predicament; nuclear energy, weapons and terrorists which challenge our existence on this earth. The survivalist still has a place. Time and time again lessons are learned; a car accident in winter just far enough from help, A recreational camping trip, a boat ride. Small lessons which teaches us who is really in control. They humble us they make us understand the hierarchy of life. The ones who heed these lessons are survivalists cause they know our comforts are temporary. There Is a complacent part of humanity that become dependent on the comforts. A lot of people never leave the shelter of a city or large human inhabitance. They miss out on knowing "true life" on being part of Nature. They never really know the importance of life, the importance of clean water, a good shelter, storing food for the winter and medical knowledge. The importance of a good tool like a knife.

Weapons..........we have seen this as the biggest separation of civilized people who are depended on others for their food and protection. They have cast their judgment on survivalists. They see survivalists as stockpiling weapons for some future war and slaughtering game senselessly. The survivalists see the "civilized" urban as hypocritical with their store bought meat that was systematically slaughtered and packaged like a plastic doll and their leather garments all coldly detached from the harsh reality of it all. This seems to be the biggest gulf which separates the survivalist from others in society. Weapons Unfortunately are the means through which we created this civilization out of. They have also protected us from countless challenges to our existence. They kill our animals and make clothing, they prepare our food. They protect us from our human enemies. They also cut wood for shelter. Living closer to nature makes humans dependent on weapons. This is a simple fact and one needs only to live closer to nature to see this.

My challenge to Those who judge those who carry weapons. Plan a week trip in the woods away from an urban center without any knife or gun, do not bring a weeks supply of food or your cell phone, walk about 30 miles into the forest and simply exist. I think after that, even the staunchest critics will come out with some empathy for the survivalist.

I also see the survivalist as a keeper of traditions. I feel it is extremely important to keep alive the primitive skills that our ancestors depended upon. These very advanced primitive skills include; Fire making, shelter building, hunting/fishing, edible and medicinal plant foraging and making clothing, tools. I am hardly a master of these skills but I am studying them one by one. When I think back at our ancestors and I think of all the knowledge they had to have to simply live it amazes me. They had to know: which plants make anything from rope to medicine, which rocks makes sparks, which can be sharpened, which can be used to break other rocks, which trees are best for all their needs, the habits of animals, the weather, weaving natural materials into clothing and tents. It truly is mind boggling especially in juxtaposition with the specialized modern mind who barely can cook with a microwave. Where typing is the only real skill one has, to earn a living. Even after a little bit of study you have a hard time saying the word "primitive", cause the level of skill involved is really beyond anything modern man can comprehend.

Survivalism also enriches your life by giving you the abilities to know you can create from just what is there in nature. What could be more empowering? Though we would be hard pressed to become proficient in all these areas I do think it is important to study and attempt as much as you can. I see this as a requirement to the normal skills one needs in modern society.