I could put this in rant I suppose,but it is a survival topic and a sort of PSA as well so I put it here.
About 5 years ago or so,a survival based reality show called Alone hit the airwaves. (youtube in my case)
After reading some youtube comments on a video,I needed to get this off my chest.
ALONE
The rules are.
You are allowed 10 items.
No camera crew so contestants have to film it themselves.
Last as long as you can,no time limit.
Last person standing wins $500 000
Although I get a kick out of the show,i see it as a dishonest game,based off survival.
It is a cross between Les Stroud's Survivorman and reality tv.
It is structured,which makes it dishonest (in reality) and turns it into a game. (a really entertaining one)
10 items,for instance,makes it a game and a game show and takes reality out of it because they are limited by "other people's rules".
If the situations these people find themselves in,dictates that they need to travel 20 miles for better resources to survive,they can't because they
are limited to what the games rules are and have to generally stay in the area they are "given"
If I was foolish enough to think I could conquer nature while alone,the last thing I would do is allow someone to tell me where I could go,what I
could have and what the rules are.
Nature's rules are more a reality than man's rules IMO.
So....it is entertaining but far from truthful.
FAIRNESS
They start everyone off to make it somewhat fair...I get it and I get why.(its a game show)
For me,the problem lies here.
Fairness is a man made concept,while natures concept of fairness,is not in line with man's concept of fairness.
You can't tell a bear that something isn't fair,the bear will be the bear no matter what your concepts or opinions are.
THATS reality!!
If someone is going to survive in nature,they should be aware first that nature doesn't care.
Our concept of fairness is a man made thing.
Since man is flawed and nature is perfect,our concept of fairness will never be as honest as nature's version.
YOUTUBERS
I have been almost obsessed with learning as much as I can,and I try to get out as much as I can to do things in real life instead of watching
videos.
When watching youtube "survival experts" don't buy people's hype.
If you think of your last camping trip and what you brought with you,look at people doing "survival" videos and you will see they are doing what you
did but with lighter gear (while trying to sell you something from their channel).
They are camping videos really,they have sleeping bags,cook kits,etc etc
They have the same things people take camping,only it fits into a smaller bag.
I call them specialized camping videos with small bits of good gear and camping tips....they are not survival videos.
Learn from people but don't be fooled into thinking you should do what they do,buy what they buy and think what they think.
We aren't born equal in strength,size,weight,hobbies,intellect and thoughts,so listen to yourself while still taking in information.
It is true what they say....know thyself.
Survival
Survival is a way of thinking and is a mindset.
It isn't about gear (although it helps),it is about the WILL to live.
It is about knowledge,getting by on your wits and hopefully some luck.
Nature is cruel,harsh,unforgiving and doesn't care.
In closing and in all fairness (pun intended) I ask,
If a hippy wanted to be one with nature,got eat eaten by a bear and pooped out....did he still get his wish??
I feel better now.