After rereading this thread, it became clear to me that everyone has a different idea what prepping is and what criteria is required to become a "prepper."
Back in the 70s we use to discuss in magazines, what made one a "homesteader."
I never heard the term "prepper" before the internet. I suspect it was started by some internet junkie wanting to start a movement. Back in the day when we stayed connected by magazine, letters, radio, and land line, being prepared was a daily discipline for country folks.
We talked about small scale hay harvesting for small operations, growing and grinding your own grains, having a supply of firewood for winter, blacksmithing, spinning, quilting, tanning hides, sawing lumber, gardening, drying and canning, etc. We did repurposing before it was popular. We made our own musical instruments, water wheels, turbo hydro pumps, hand dug septic tanks, made wind generators, made firearms and knives, mined gold, etc.
One of the high lights of my young life was becoming friends with Sylvan Hart known as Buckskin Bill that lived as close to being self sufficient as possible. There is a book about him, "The Last of The Mountain Men." by Harold Peterson.
Many an expert modern day "prepper" might learn a thing or two by reading that book.
I joined a few forums years ago where I had hoped to share my experiences. This forum is my last stand participating on forums, since other forums are full of jealous, self righteous, low achieving folks that have discounted my experiences and accused me of coping off the internet.
Country living that focuses more on self than others requiring preparedness, is still alive, but I think the "prepper" movement, many times urban based, with its narrow scope and ego centered idealisms, is dying.
Paraphrasing JFK, "Ask not what others can do for you, but what you can do for yourself," is the key to understanding what semi self sufficient country living, I.E., "homesteading" really is.
Back in the 70s we use to discuss in magazines, what made one a "homesteader."
I never heard the term "prepper" before the internet. I suspect it was started by some internet junkie wanting to start a movement. Back in the day when we stayed connected by magazine, letters, radio, and land line, being prepared was a daily discipline for country folks.
We talked about small scale hay harvesting for small operations, growing and grinding your own grains, having a supply of firewood for winter, blacksmithing, spinning, quilting, tanning hides, sawing lumber, gardening, drying and canning, etc. We did repurposing before it was popular. We made our own musical instruments, water wheels, turbo hydro pumps, hand dug septic tanks, made wind generators, made firearms and knives, mined gold, etc.
One of the high lights of my young life was becoming friends with Sylvan Hart known as Buckskin Bill that lived as close to being self sufficient as possible. There is a book about him, "The Last of The Mountain Men." by Harold Peterson.
Many an expert modern day "prepper" might learn a thing or two by reading that book.
I joined a few forums years ago where I had hoped to share my experiences. This forum is my last stand participating on forums, since other forums are full of jealous, self righteous, low achieving folks that have discounted my experiences and accused me of coping off the internet.
Country living that focuses more on self than others requiring preparedness, is still alive, but I think the "prepper" movement, many times urban based, with its narrow scope and ego centered idealisms, is dying.
Paraphrasing JFK, "Ask not what others can do for you, but what you can do for yourself," is the key to understanding what semi self sufficient country living, I.E., "homesteading" really is.
The really sad part is that is the intelligence level of a good portion of our population not just concerning water but all necessities.
