I do not think a lot of members read posts in the Fringe as many do not know how to join. Just a thought.

Howdy ICRCC,

Valid point.

The last time I posted a similar thought on the general board, it turned into a s#%tstorm, of course, most of that was probably thr trolls.

Figured I would start this topic down here and see which way it goes.

Mountainman.

Hey all,

I believe we may be at a crossroads here. A division between the homesteader / Hippie types from the '60's and the prepper/survivalist types. Although there are many attributes shared by both there is a fundamental difference. I believe that difference is that in the former it is about being self sustaining through agriculture, energy, storing and building. What I see as the "true" prepper is the one who has/does all of that...PLUS has or develops the skills, resources and mindset to defend what they have and those they love. Also they are prepared to band together with those of like mind to make it happen. The hardest question to ask yourself and those around you in this.... "ARE YOU PREPARED TO TAKE A LIFE IF NECESSARY" TO PROTECT THOSE IN YOUR FAMILY OR GROUP? Many of the former are set for current times and in any scenario where there is rule of law. In a true SHTF scenario they will be eaten alive. I can think of one individual on here who gardens, cans, dehydrates, looks at and develops old time skills... but adamantly states that if they have to bug out ALL there critters have to come with them. NOT DOABLE !!!!!!! Hard decisions will have to be made and for the most part the vast majority of those decisions will have to made well ahead of time. To do otherwise will put not only yourself but those around you at risk. Again... the difference between the "hippie" mentality and the real prepper mentality. I believe the board is being dominated by hippie types. That said those who have or are ready to make the hard decisions simply sit back and shake their heads. Just a few thoughts.

JAB

Thanks JAB,

You have indentified where the challenges seem to be forming. And you have identified what divides different groups. This is all good in identifying problems and chellenges that keep all of us apart.

But, how do we bring folks together?? How do we solve these problems and challenges??

What is the solution set??

We cannot let the thin edge of the wedge drive us apart. All folks in the prepping community - regardless of what drives them - have skills, knowledge and usefulness. We need to find ways to make it easier to exchange ideas and build stonger comunitties. I would like to think this starts by having active discussions on the Forum.

What is missing??

Mountainman.

Hi MM. Well.... to answer your question I will have to say I don't know. I can surmise but will probably be wrong ... LOL!!! I think the biggest thing will be acceptance and respect for one another both individually and within the group. I see a part of the problem as this, that each sees the other as a potential liability. The group I labeled as "preppers/survivalist types" are ready to do what is necessary to survive. I am not saying they have in any way a less moral ideal than others.. just that they have a broader and shall we say "rougher" edge to them and how they think. This group may see the "hippie/homestead" types as an ultimate liability regarding the question.... WILL THEY be able to be counted on to be aggressive enough or cold enough to do what needs to be done to "protect my back" in any given situation? On the other side perhaps they homestead types see the "survivalist" types as too rough and too willing to potentially resort to violence IF IT IS NECESSARY. THAT is a huge chasm of divide... thoughts?

JAB

Mtn Man, see my PM to you
JAB see my PM to you

also, attacking a person or values, emotional responses as well as posts that drag them emotionally into far flung realms of ideology, rather than keeping to the OP

For what its worth a fair number of "homesteader types" have a good amount of those hard skills, we just won't talk about them on a public board, having said that there have been a number of soft and quiet talks at get togethers, it kinda amazing how many of those "homesteaders" who also have private ranges.

I know for myself personally what I am ready and willing to do in a push come shove, but I have no need to share that information with others in a written format.

Interesting take though that the board is been dominated by them..

my take, the number of live meet and greet accoss the country continue to increase, the more the older members meet and work plans, ideas and thought, the less folks feel the need to talk about some of those things on the forum

I have lost track in the past month of folks that that have pm'd me and said, was going to talk this or that, but will do it in person.. I think that is having a effect as well. It might be lowering the post numbers but its actively building networks.

TO QUOTE Farmgal..."my take, the number of live meet and greet accoss the country continue to increase, the more the older members meet and work plans, ideas and thought, the less folks feel the need to talk about some of those things on the forum" So is it then that for these older members the forum has met their purpose and therefore they don't see the need to discuss or share all or any relevant topics? Hmmm...
2ND QUOTE Farmgal..."I have lost track in the past month of folks that that have pm'd me and said, was going to talk this or that, but will do it in person.. I think that is having a effect as well. It might be lowering the post numbers but its actively building networks." So again... meeting your individual needs and building YOUR networks but at the expense of the forum...HMMM

Interesting certainly.

JAB

So again... meeting your individual needs and building YOUR networks but at the expense of the forum...HMMM

Sorry, I thought that was the point of the live meetings, to build and work our local networks, that would mean that you would believe that all the live meet and greet that occurring across the whole country from the east coast to the west coast and everywhere inbtween would be having the same effect.

Sorry you missed the point. OF COURSE that is the purpose of live meet and greets. What I am saying is that they should be in addition to the forum.. that there should be a continuum of sorts and even sharing... not of personal information but of successes and thoughts and beliefs..... NOT a withdrawal. This started with an atmosphere of family. Everyone helping everyone else. Sadly from what you have stated it would seem it has become more about "What can it do for me and my group".... not about prepping or the forum as a whole.

I have noted the drop off in topics and posts, but was putting it up to the spring-time work everyone has been trying to get at. With winter going on forever, it seems that everyone has advanced cabin fever and needs OUT..Even now on a rainy or cool day there seem to be more people on than a nice warm sunny day. Just my opinion...

Bringing this back around to the point of my first post, Mountain Man, I do think it is having a effect that is being felt on the board in all provinces that are holding regular meetings.

Morning Coffee,

Thanks for the observation. You may have nailed this one. It sure was a long Winter.

Okay, with gardens to put in, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, etc praticing the skills needed and finally the weather in some parts of the country to actual "do" stuff, time spent around the laptop may be reduced.

This should hold that on poor weather days, activity should spike in certain areas and wane in others. Let's hope that is what we are dealing with.

With that understood, we will wait and see. But, when folks get back on the Forum, what does it take to get them to post more often??? Suggestions??

Mountainman.

I have noted the drop off in topics and posts, but was putting it up to the spring-time work everyone has been trying to get at. With winter going on forever, it seems that everyone has advanced cabin fever and needs OUT..Even now on a rainy or cool day there seem to be more people on than a nice warm sunny day. Just my opinion...

Hi Morning Coffee

I agree with you as well, certainly spring and the work that goes with, is for sure having a effect, last year we saw a drop off in spring/summer, folks are outside more, they are traveling more etc..

Which reminds me, I need to get off this computer and go milk my cow 🙂 and do the evening chores and the sneak off to the local woods for a bit of wild forage..