*Beware the Lunatic Fringe*
While Preparedness is currently "in Style", it's always had a fringe element attached to it that has long given "true Survivalists" a bad name, a bad rap, and a bad rep.
No matter how mainstream Preparedness, or Survivalism, becomes, the lunatic fringe that gave it a bad name to start with is still out there.
As I have preached for Years... "Preparedness" and "Survivalism" seems to be an umbrella idea/label that some people call themselves because they can't define what they Really are any closer... They "need a reason" to jusitify having some Guns, and/or some equipment [Most just want to play Army], "so they Must be a survivalist.. (yeah, I'm a survivalist, that's the ticket ;)".. uhhhh NOT! They're the lunatic fringe, still outcast from any normal society.. trying to give their Hobbies justification.
"They Think", "It seems logical that ____".. you almost NEVER hear them say, "I Actually Did This and here's my results and pictures and proof, let's see how it compares to Your results".
As one, uhh, person, on another Forum said, "If you have to painstakingly hack your way with a machete, you going the right direction" (SIC).. They've never Actually done this or they would have looked back and thought "I'm leaving a trail for others to follow"... If you've read articles here, you've read the stories from members that Swore their retreats were "Hidden".. one found out his retreat was used as a marker on Aircraft maps.. the other got a tax bill when DEA people, looking for drugs in the "remote area", saw the retreat and turned the info over to the state for further investigation since it wasn't on their tax maps. "There is no such thing as *Remote* in the lower 48 any more".. it's a fiction for the ignorant to believe... But they are Still planning to "Head for the remote hills with a Bug out Bag" (Oh, they'll change their tune in time, and then swear it was Their idea in the first place ;)
...As I have said in other articles, A Lot of the Lunatic fringe just can't make it in society and want The Stuff To Hit The Fan because they think that by having a few supplies, and some guns, they can be "Important" or "a Leader" or "People will quit making fun of them (maybe even do some bowing and scraping)" if Society will just hurry up and collapse... Folks, That's Lunacy!! If you have to hope for the system to be torn down to below your level before you feel good about yourself.. you need a little professional help.. And (again, As I have said for Years) "Powerful people are powerful by nature".. if you put them in a disaster, or on a desert Island with 20 people, they will Still gain power... they will gain power in Any environment... it's simply in their nature... the setting is incidental, whether we consider these people good or bad.
The Guy that can't get the respect he feels he deserves Right Now, is not going to get that respect After TSHTF either. That's a proven fact... History, and countless disasters, proves this out time after time.
Sadly, There are a lot of these people that Want to see society torn down so that They can be "better off" finally. They feel "cheated" in life, they feel like someone is holding them back (someone is.. *themselves*!)
It's been said that most "fringe personalities" can put up a good act for about 3 months. Over 13+ years as a webmaster, I've found this to be true to the point of being scary. People you Would Not want to share a shelter with seem to suddenly snap within a few days of the "Three Month Mark".
For the first Month or two, they often seem like the Ideal team mate, your best friend, "gonna be friends for life", and then suddenly, at about that three month mark, they seem to just lose their minds. They imagine a grudge, and then do everything their small minds can come up with to "Pay you back" (Pay You back because They can't function in society?). Some Psychologists say this happens in Any setting; Romance, Friendships, etc.. not just on the internet.
When this happens in the Rubicon, we can simply boot them.. they usually scurry off to other sites and bad mouth us, and seek company with others that have been booted from our site, or other reputable sites (usually for the same reason, they can't keep up the act of being "normal" for more than three months... one such "gentleman" has now been kicked out of Five organizations, and is Still out there spreading his craziness.. He changes his name and ISP and spends a small fortune trying to sneak back into sites he's been banned from)... but within three months, guess what? Amazingly, They are then at each other's throats (I know, surprising, huh? ;)! It's an amazing thing to watch... and of course, it's Never their fault, there's a vast conspiracy against them... However, many suddenly start spouting how "Christian they are", and how "Non Violent", and how they "wish everyone well", all the while they are gibbering in their closets and trying to think of ways to pay back imaginary sleights... They Always pop at every site they go to.. always, without exception.
Many "Newer Webmasters" welcome these people in, hoping to "grow their sites", until the malcontents pop and do something stupid.. like the member that arm robbed a convenience store, or the member of another site that Killed his wife and Girl Friend.. the Web sites that "Took them in" are no longer in existence, Even though Many webmasters had tried (in vain) to warn them about these unstable people... Point being, no matter what site you join, Always make sure it is an older, reputable site that doesn't put up with BS. Older sites have the experience needed to weed out the wack-jobs. This is not to say there aren't some good "younger" sites, there are, but they are the exception, not the rule (Most Quality sites simply Will Not put up with BS, so it's easy to identify the better sites, young or old).
The scary part is, these people will be out there during a disaster, helping out, being your "friend".. until that infamous three month mark hits and you see "The real" them. By Then it's too late for You.
It's why We screen our members so heavily, and why None of the reputable sites allow BS on their sites. It's why it's good to get to know the people you may need to trust over a Longer period of time than just a few months (Most Rubicon members have known each other Many years).. In a long term Disaster, You Do Not want to have to trust your life to "People you've just met".. because in a random group of people, several of them will statistically turn out to be "three monthers".. Then You're in trouble... It's why Reputable organizations are the safest way to meet people.. most people are already known, have been met by Many other people, etc.
When the occasional deviant does pop, we make a note of their names and usually webmasters share this information, to protect You, Our Quality Members. If they've "popped" at one place, they almost always Pop at the next place they try to call "home on the net" (I can see you webmasters nodding your heads now, yes, we know them well).
You Need to get to know the people you can trust Now so that you have as much time and experience with them as possible before you may have to depend on them. It's one reason why the reputable preparedness sites (the ones that have been around for years and that won't put up with crap and craziness) are an Ideal way to Really get to know other people over Long periods of time... They've usually weeded out "The Crazies".
Keep in mind that the person that's constantly being booted from site after site, or "paying people back" for imagined slights (Or things They have done to themselves) will be a problem for You if you get involved with them. Getting to know people Long Term, in a controlled setting, is about the surest way Not to get involved with the lunatic fringes. And when you see these people constantly Moaning about being booted from various sites, or bad mouthing other people constantly, Or bragging about "paying people back" or "Getting even", it's a safe bet, they're a "Three monther". BEWARE.
"The person that is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is Not a nice person"
How's that Country song go? "After 5 strikes, it just Might be You" ;)
".. A word to the wise...."
Warlord
www.alpharubicon.com
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