There are many circumstances that could be considered a survival situation or a survival challenge. Most are inspired by stories either passed on by word of mouth much like urban legends or great tails of adventure and many published by books. However, in our modern world adventure or survival situations are inspired many through movies and television. Despite the best efforts of actors and directors and movie makers as well as the audience to subdue themselves with the craftiness of a true survivor individual it seems in a lot of ways, to fall short of the real experience. For some people, watching the tube is enough but for the rest……

I would for the sake of understanding my concept classify survivalists, survival-ism, survivors for the sake of this article into several different categories with no personal offense or judgment meant to any. The classifications are purely an unbiased observation of the respectful circumstances these categories encompass. This classification defines the motivations behind why one would want to practice or partake in survivalist activity.

1) Enthusiasm: If you’re like me and have spent tons of time outdoors then you will realize that it is quite relaxing and fun to spend more time doing what you love. Any excuse to get out of the house or test your craftiness in the woods is a good time. This enthusiasm comes from wanted to spend as much time as you can in nature and our natural environment.

2) Curiosity: Many people want to test themselves it’s really that simple. Especially since these types of scenarios whether they be real or fake show up on TV all the time. It’s a bit more of a competitive attribute but as long as it’s done in good sport no need to fret.

3) The unplanned and/or disaster: This is without a doubt one of the strongest and most logically demanding reasons for survival ism although the most difficult to plan for. To be prepared for a disaster is like saying I’m going to be prepared for the rest of my life. It’s very vague and you can spend all your time training to do something and never need to use it and then something can go wrong and you won’t be prepared for that specific situation. But nonetheless. Perhaps this motivation would convince people to realize their mind as their strongest tool.

4) The conspiracy theory: Justify the need and/or logic of being able to survive off of the land and/or their own self sufficient manner in/or out of society because the government as a whole and/or our society cannot be trusted to either fulfill those needs or will disregard our civil rights for other reasons such as war and greed. Although history has proven these scenarios as possible it is kind of hard to predict exactly what could actually go wrong or what wouldn’t in our society today and how to deal with it properly. I think at any given time our society is on the verge of great disaster and/or great accomplishment as whole. Although I would validate this concern simply because it cannot be ruled out just as well….. in most cases it’s a harmless logic to be prepared assuming that being preparedness does not dwell in paranoia or irrational action.