"Boy Scout Mentality or Extremism?"

An article from Naples.com on preppers.

The concept of survivalism had existed for decades under a dark cloud because of the paramilitary training that some groups and individuals have engaged in, and some of the anti-government sentiments that have existed among some individuals. The motivations for survivalism range from concerns of severe economic collapse, pandemics, natural disasters to possible societal and/or government collapse, nuclear war, and end-of-the-world religious beliefs.

I haven't been in the survivalist culture, but growing up in a place like Tornado Alley, being prepared was considered wisdom. Many people there have storm shelters, and some do stockpile food, water, and other provisions in the event of a tornado wiping out their home.

While some have scoffed at even those who have made some modest preparations against misfortune, the idea of being prepared does have merit. The individual who is prepared isn't a person waiting in line for emergency relief, and it's unlikely that the same individual will be seeking some kind of monetary relief or assistance from the government. In one sense, a prepared person won't be burning up taxpayers' dollars. Additionally the more prepared an individual is, the more he or she can help someone who isn't.

In another sense such preparations are like insurance against disaster. In our society we often buy life insurance, medical insurance, auto insurance, and home insurance so survivalism should be viewed in that same vein.

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Many folks here in South Florida already engage in some kind of prepper planning in regards to hurricanes. For them to become some type of survivalist means merely expanding what they already do on a seasonal basis. A good place to start on the basics would be to pick up a booklet on hurricane preparedness which can often be found at your local grocery store.

The government and other organizations offer a wealth of information on disaster preparedness. 

In the "old days," before modern "just in time" distribution systems, storing food, candles or hurricane lamps, and so on, was considered good sense at a minimum, and a necessity for many people. It is still good sense today.

However, the author raises a valid point:

I think what is more important in regards to preparedness is how we are to act as human beings in any potential disaster. We can choose to be each other's foes or friends. I prefer the latter; what use is survival if we become nothing more than animals?

She is right. We should be neither wolves nor sheep.