General Definition:
* A survivalist is someone who prepares for and practices skills and techniques necessary to survive in a challenging or dangerous situation. This might include scenarios like natural disasters, societal collapse, or even just extended periods of isolation.
Specific Focuses:
* Prepper: This term emphasizes the preparation aspect, including stockpiling supplies, acquiring knowledge, and building shelters. Preppers often focus on scenarios like economic collapse or government breakdown.
* Bushcraft: This involves skills for living off the land, including foraging, hunting, fire-building, shelter construction, and navigation. Bushcraft enthusiasts often prioritize wilderness survival.
* Self-reliance: This broad category includes any individual seeking to increase their autonomy and independence, encompassing aspects of both prepping and bushcraft.
Motivations:
* Survival: The core motivation is to survive in the face of a crisis, ensuring safety and well-being.
* Independence: Survivalism often involves a desire for self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on external systems.
* Preparedness: Some survivalists see preparedness as a way to mitigate risk and manage uncertainty.
Stereotypes and Misconceptions:
* Doomsday Cults: Some associate survivalism with extremist ideologies, which is not necessarily true. While a small minority might hold extreme views, most survivalists focus on practical preparation.
* Paranoid: While some may be motivated by anxieties about societal collapse, many are simply pragmatic and believe in being prepared for the unexpected.
Conclusion:
The definition of a survivalist is fluid and multifaceted. While the core principles revolve around preparedness and self-reliance, the specific focus, motivations, and level of involvement can vary greatly. It's important to avoid generalizations and understand the diversity within the survivalist community.