The Changing Nature of Survival-Page One

Introduction-

No doubt, the news tends to get scarier as we go along.  While we are not doomsayers, recent events give even the most reserved men and women reason for pause.  For this reason we feel a detailed presentation on all aspects of survival is in order.  At this writing, we hope that cooler heads will prevail, and that responsible people will act responsibly.

For a link to the latest economic calamity and some good advice: go to: “"Urban Survival.Com,", and take note.

“The Changing Nature of Survival” is organized into 14 topic headings.  The topic headings are as follows: 1) Basic Definitions, 2) The Beginnings, 3) Trouble in the Heartland, 4) Do we Know How to Fight, 5) Are Americans Too Old to Fight?  6) New Threat in the Heartland-Home Invasions.  7) The Survivalism Movement, 8) Survival Training, 9) Survivalism Worldwide, 10) Organizations You Can Join, 11) The Spirit of Survival, 12) Summary & Conclusions, 13) The Philosopher’s Corner, 14) References, Resources, & Endnotes.

Due to the length of this article, we have posted just the first two pages for your attention.  However, by clicking on the Acrobat .pdf image to the right, you can download the entire article and print it.

This page's reference notes are at the bottom of the page.

Basic Definitions-

Survival-
To outlive, outlast, survive; survive, pull-through, pull-round, come through, make it, to last through a mortally dangerous occurrence.  To cling to life tenaciously and stubbornly, to live through failure, defeat, and dishonor with some modicum of pride or resoluteness.

Survival Training-
Techniques and skills needed to survive outdoors in the wilderness; or especially designed courses for overcoming dangerous, life-threatening, overwhelming, &/or undesirable situations.

The Beginnings-

To our memory, the Shackleton Expedition on the “Endurance” is the pre-eminent survival saga, where men were tested to their limits in stark adversity.  Despite enormous tragedy and suffering, Shackleton and his men overcame extreme hardships and lived.

While tribes and clans in third world countries often “fight for their survival,” to most of us this term sounds arcane or out-of-date.  People in India and poor countries “fight for survival” in terms of searching and hunting for food.  Many people in the Middle East “fight for survival,” in their never-ending quest for water.

But what does this term mean, if anything, to us?  Will we ever need to “fight for survival?”  Do we know what it is “to survive?  Can some of us call ourselves “survivors?”

Recently, we sent our Ace Surfer™ out one evening to “survey” the situation.  His assignment- query the major web browsers and web-sites on 5 related topics.  Ace was to report-back on the search-results for: 1) Do Americans know how to fight?  2) Are Americans fighters?  3) Do kids know how to protect themselves?  4) Do Americans know how to defend themselves?  and 5) Are Americans Physically Fit?

Upon returning to our offices, Ace was distraught.  “Boy, we’re in bad shape!”  I only could find a report saying all of us are obese, and a blog article titled “Why do Americans fight like Cowards?” after searching all night!

Strangely enough, there are innumerable blogs and web sites on “arming for defense,” “self-preservation,” and “learning extreme survival skills,” authored by self-proclaimed “survivalists.”  However, the U.S. news media, government, and business leaders, teachers, and athletic stars seem to ignore the important roles surviving, fighting, staying physically fit, and defending oneself are in terms of succeeding in life.  Being proficient in self-defense, fighting, survival, and acquiring physical fitness, is essential to maintaining a healthy outlook on life.  Lacking these skills weakens the spirit; its absence robs the soul’s will power.  We become depressed and slovenly in our appearance and demeanor.  Not knowing the meaning of “right” and “wrong” and fighting for what is right, implies an ignorance of morality.  Without morality, we are lost.

What are the merits in learning how to fight or to defend oneself?  In addition, to be a “force to be reckoned with in the face of adversity,” the fighting sports such as boxing, wrestling, and the martial arts teach discipline.  All three involve rules, require concentration, and co-ordination.  Basic self-defense rules provide structure, set boundaries, and penalties for transgression.

But most importantly and perhaps subtly, fighters are taught how to communicate with their opponent through body language, signs, and gestures.  Fighters talk to each other when they are fighting!  Amazing!  In the not too distant past, boxing was a gentlemen’s sport, but all the media hyped was the guts and glory.  Unfortunately, people forgot the personal drama and expressions of that drama in what the fighters said about themselves, what they said to their opponent, and how they evaluated each other in the ring.  The outcome of many a fight was changed by what one fighter said to the other in the final round.  “The Fights” were real contests of one’s individual’s will-power over that of another.  What a valuable lesson to be learned!  Words often carry more weight that the best placed glove.

Proper self-defense, a prerequisite for individuals, is the legal right of people to protect their life, the values they hold dear, and the possessions that they own.  Therefore, fighting in self defense is a necessary response to the breaking of personal boundaries and the collapse of “civil” structure.  If a criminal oversteps or goes beyond the rules, a swift and effective retaliation is warranted.

An armed response to an armed threat is recommended; but did you know that yelling, screaming, and kicking scare grizzly bears?  And that people actually die from laughing?  The fear that you experience when confronted by an armed man should not paralyze you, it should focus on disarming him, shaming him, or persuading him that what he is doing is very unwise.  This can be done forcefully with the proper words, with body language, with warnings, with noise, and lastly with physical force.

Regrettably, these concepts have all but disappeared from the public.  Do Americans, particularly our youth, feel powerless when confronted by danger?  Have we made “fighting” not a “politically correct” word?  Do we freeze up and not know what to do?

Sadly, today’s headlines are filled with a new form of lawlessness.  No longer the dirty business of “sick” criminals, social deviants, and sociopaths, many “normal” Americans appear to be caught up in their own web of self-deceit, lying, stealing, dishonesty, and showing a complete lack of discipline- individual or group discipline.  Personal and social boundaries are violated daily.  We could fault the government for setting a poor example, but in reality, the responsibility lies with us.

Have we all become spoiled brats?

Has television, computers, and video games turned us into sponges- without any backbone?

Trouble in the Heartland-

It appears then, that our very survival as a Society, and as a Nation is in question.  Here is our  “evidence.”

The July 2nd, 2008 issue of the Ohio Statesman contains an alarming article by Commanding General William S. Wallace.  Entitled “Fat, Stupid, and Lazy is no Way to go to War,” General Wallace writes that “only 28 % of 17 to 24 year old population” is able to wear to wear a military uniform.  The other 72 % fails to meet the minimum standards for education, character, health, and physical fitness.”  Equally alarming, Dr. David Walsh, a Minneapolis-based psychologist and President of the Institute for Media and the Family, reports that there is an epidemic of Discipline Deficit Disorder among children and teens.  Symptoms of DDD include disrespect, need for instant gratification, and a sense of entitlement, self-centerness, and out-of-control consumption.  Finally, on this point, in talking with children who spend long hours playing video games or on the Internet, Dr Walsh reports,” they do not know what the “beauty of nature” means”.

Dr. Tedd Mitchell, in his book entitled “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder,” has drawn similar conclusions from his study of adolescence's who have “disconnected” from nature & the outdoors.  According to him, symptoms include obesity, attention disorders, anxiety, depression, and stress when kids do not engage in outdoors play.  However, physical, social, and intellectual development occurs when children spend 10 or more hours a week out-of-doors.

According to the latest survey (2007) completed by the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 49 states reported severe or chronic obesity among adults (aged 20 to 64 years) Separate studies reveal ever growing numbers of people suffering from depression and a lack of meaning in life.”  Suicide among college students is rising.  Lastly, gyms, fitness centers, and sports clubs show decreasing membership rosters.

Click on the pdf image to the right to download the entire article.

 

Go to Survival in the Heartland-pg 2.

Go to Survive, Strive, and Succeed.

NOTES-