Getting Out Of The Worldly System (Next Steps)

By Tim Gamble

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Previously, we examined how getting out of the worldly system might be done (article link). This article gets into the Next Steps of how to start putting that vision into action.

To get out of the worldly system, you may want to consider these Next Steps:

Unplug From the Matrix

1- Disconnect from mainstream media: The mainstream media is nothing more than the propaganda arm of the Deep State and the Wealthy Elites. Seek out better news sources that are more Independent. Some places to start: 

• The Epoch Times (website link) - My favorite source of real journalism.
• NTD News (website link) - Sister organization to The Epoch Times.
• Normal American (website link) - contains hundreds of RSS feeds for various alternative news sources, websites, and blogs, as well as a number of survivalist and homesteading sites.
• Whatfinger News (website link) - think of it as a conservative Drudge Report.
• X (formerly Twitter) (website link) - great source of real time citizen journalism, as well as many independent journalists who were chased out of the mainstream media for not towing the propaganda line. 

2- Disconnect from popular culture: Pop culture - everything from movies and TV shows to most music and professional sports - actively promotes consumerism, materialism, and  decadence of all types, as well as anti-American and anti-Christian sentiments. Disconnect yourself and your family from these. Replace them with better, more deliberate choices:

• Game nights with family and friends
• Physical activities such as tennis, golf, hiking, fishing, and gardening
• Learning a musical instrument
• Reading
• Finding more wholesome choices for music, movies and shows

3- Disconnect from a failed educational system:

• Homeschooling is the best option for most. This option gives you the most control over what and how your kids are taught, to ensure the best education possible for them.
• Private or parochial schools may also be a good fit for many, but pay attention. Some of these are really no better than public schools as CRT, social justice, environmental justice, and LGBT agendas are working their way into many of these schools.
• Still sending your kids to public school? For some, this may be your only option. If so, pay close attention to what and how they are being taught. Meet your kids' teachers and visit their classrooms. Check out their textbooks. Many schools and teachers have been caught in recent years actually telling the kids NOT to tell their parents what is actually being taught in the classroom. Many LGBT clubs have been given names to hide the fact that they are LGBT clubs, and kids have been told NOT to tell their parents what they really are. Pay close attention. Be willing to stand up for your kids even if it is inconvenient or scary.
• Reconsider college. Many studies have proven that college degrees are NOT required to be successful in life. That is old advice from a by-gone era. What is important for success is attitude, work ethic and actual skills (different from theoretical book knowledge). Unless one is pursuing a career that absolutely requires a college degree, such as doctor, dentist, or lawyer, most folks would be better off going to a tech or trade school and acquiring real skills. Theoretical book knowledge can be acquired for free with a library card, no communist professors required. 

4- Build a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle: Learn skills that enable you to grow your own food, produce your own energy, and create or repair your own possessions. The less you need the worldly system, the more you will be to able to disconnect, and the less control others will have over you. 

5- Cultivate a Simpler Life. Reduce your reliance on material possessions and focus on what truly matters in life, such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth. Declutter your life. Reduce your lifestyle. Cut back on your obligations. Minimize your debt. Live within your means. Prioritize savings. Invest your time, energy and money in things that bring you long-term fulfillment.

6- Build a better life. Cultivate your relationships, especially with God and your spouse. Build relationships with like-minded people. Drop toxic people from your life. Reconnect with nature. Consider carefully where you live, work, and attend church. Be willing to make changes if necessary, even if those changes mean having uncomfortable conversations, steeping outside your comfort zone, or taking a certain amount of risk. 

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Getting Out Of The Worldly System (Intro)

By Tim Gamble

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(This is a reprint of an earlier Resistance article. An entirely new article on the Next Steps will be posted later today.)

How do we get out of the worldly system built by the Elites? Getting entirely out of the system will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. But we can extricate ourselves from much of the system, if we are willing to do the hard work and sacrifice to do so. I've written about this before, but here is a recap. Notice the pattern* that runs through each suggestion.

• Homeschooling is better than parochial & private schools is better than public schools. 
• Working for yourself is better than working for a small business is better than working for a large corporation or the government.
• Owning out-right is better than paying a mortgage is better than renting.
• A credit union is better than a small regional bank is better than a big national bank. 
• Paying cash is better than a debit card is better than a credit card.
• Paying off debt is better than accumulating debt. 
• Going all cash and barter whenever possible is best of all.
• Taking care of your health is better than needing a hospital.
• A Bible-based small church / home church is better than than a denominational-based larger church is better than a hip and trendy mega-church. 
• Entertaining ourselves (reading, family game night, hosting a bar-b-que, going bowling, going fishing, etc.) is better than relying on TV, the movies, and pop culture.
• Independent journalism is better than corporate-controlled news media.
• Living in a small town or rural community is better than living in the suburbs is better than living in a small city is better than living in a mega-city.

And the list could go on and on. Its not easy getting out of the system, and may be impossible to do so completely, but shed yourself of as much of the system as you can. 

* Did you notice the pattern? It is a range. The smaller, more local, more individual you get, the better off and less controlled you typically are. The larger, more national or global, more collective you get, the more controlled by the Elite's system you are. 

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Review: Cold Steel Finn Hawk

By Tim Gamble

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I reviewed the Finn Hawk fixed-blade knife by Cold Steel several years ago, and thought I would update that review. The Cold Steel Finn Hawk is my favorite general purpose utility knife. I actually now own three of them. One permanently lives in my bug-out bag, one I use almost daily, and one is in a drawer as a back-up. The Finn Hawk is only about $25 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZFtEQl

When I bought my first Finn Hawk about six years ago, it quickly became my "go to" knife for general use. I give it 5 out of 5 stars, because I literally have nothing to complain about with this knife. I cannot find a single negative thing to say about it.

Here are the specs:

• Over-all Length: 8¾ inches
• Blade Length: 4 inches
• Grind: Scandi 
• Spine: 1/8-inch thickness, 90-degree angle (can be used to spark a ferro rod)
• Weight: 5.1 ounces (not including sheath)
• Handle/Grip: Dual Injection Mold, outer layer is TPR rubber
• Steel: German 4116 Stainless
• Sheath: secure-ex polymer sheath with belt loop
• Price: currently about $25 (Amazon link), so its affordable

The Finn Hawk comes quite sharp right out of the box, and holds its sharpness well. It is a Scandi grind, so its fairly easy to sharpen when needed. It is a full-tang knife, except for the very-back tip which sweeps upwards to allow for a lanyard hole, so maybe technically it could be argued not full-tang, but its definitely much more than a three-quarters tang, so I let others argue the technicality.

The Finn Hawk has proven to be a great general-purpose field knife for me. Frankly, I like it better than my Swiss Moras, which are also really good knives. An all-around great knife for work around the homestead or campsite. It is an amazing deal for its quality and usefulness (Amazon link). I like this knife so much I ended up ordering two more for myself, and another two more to give as gifts to my  nephews a couple of years ago! 

Urban Survival: Prepping for a Disaster in the City

By Tim Gamble

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Natural disasters and urban catastrophes can strike at any moment. Whether it's a hurricane, earthquake, or terrorist attack, being prepared for these situations is crucial. Here are some essential tips and strategies for urban survival for a disaster in the city.

1) Create a Disaster Plan: The first step is creating a comprehensive disaster plan. This includes evacuation routes, meeting points, and a family communications plan (article link). Make sure all family and group members are familiar with the plan and have a copy of it stored in a safe place. Practice the plan and adjust it on a regular basis. 

2) Learn Situational Awareness and the OODA Loop: This is much more than just "paying attention," although that is a small part of it, and it is much more important than most people realize. Situational awareness means both knowing what to look for and how to assess (make decisions about) your surroundings. The end goal for situational awareness is correct action (article link).

3) Stock up on Food, Water and Other Supplies: Having a well-stocked larder and emergency kit is essential for urban survival. This should include non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio. It's also a good idea to have a backup power source, such as a portable generator.

4) Know Your Surroundings: Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and know the locations of nearby shelters, hospitals, and other essential services. This will help you navigate your way to safety during an emergency.

5) Build an Emergency Fund: Having an emergency fund is crucial for urban survival. This should cover at least three months' worth of expenses (or more if you can manage it), including rent, utilities, and groceries. This will help you weather any financial hardships that may arise during a disaster, as well as any unexpected periods of joblessness.

6) Stay Informed: Stay informed about potential disasters and emergencies in your area. This can be done by monitoring local news outlets, following official social media accounts, and signing up for emergency alerts. A good emergency radio is also essential. It should include both AM and FM bands, as well as the NOAA (weather) band, and have multiple power options (Amazon link to the emergency radio I own).

7) Learn Survival Skills: Learning essential survival skills, such as first aid, fire-starting, water purification, and self-defense can be invaluable during a disaster. Consider taking courses or workshops to develop these skills. (Refuge Medical affiliate link for 10% off on first aid kits, supplies, and training).  

8) Build a Support Network: Building a support network of friends, family, and neighbors can be a lifeline during a disaster. Make sure everyone in your network is aware of your disaster plan and emergency contacts.

9) Be Self-Sufficient: During a disaster, essential services may be disrupted, making self-reliance the key to urban survival. Consider investing in a solar-powered generator, water filtration system, and other tools to provide essential services for yourself.

10) Stay Calm and Stay Safe: In the event of a disaster, it's essential to stay calm and follow your disaster plan. Prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you. Remember, a calm demeanor can help you make better decisions during a crisis (article link for priorities in a disaster). 

Urban survival requires planning, preparation, and knowledge. By following these tips and strategies, you can increase your chances of staying safe and secure during a disaster in the city. Remember, it's always better to be prepared and not need it, than to need it and not be prepared.

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Review: Laplander Folding Saw

By Tim Gamble

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The Laplander Folding Saw

I've given this saw positive reviews in the past, and wanted to do so again. My Bacho Laplander Folding Saw (Amazon link) is one of the most useful, and often used, tools I own. I use it around the home for various yard work and gardening tasks, take it camping and hiking with me, and have given it a permanent place in my survival bag (bug-out bag). 

Very sharp and tough, this folding saw's blade is 7½  inches long. I've used it to easily handle branches up to 3 inches in diameter, and am sure it could handle bigger with a little effort. It is designed to cut wood, plastic, and bone. The teeth are arranged so that the saw cuts both ways - on the push and the pull.

The Laplander saw has a solid locking mechanism that locks the blade in place in either the open or folded position (so it doesn't accidentally open up in your pack or tool box). I've never had the locking mechanism fail. Folded, it measures 9 inches long, so it easily fits in my survival bag or backpack.

This is a very high quality folding saw made in Sweden. It is currently on sale at Amazon for about $25 (Amazon link).  Others love this folding saw, too, as it has a 4.8 star rating on Amazon with over 5,000 customer reviews.

Resisting Tyranny: Don't Be Part Of Their System

By Tim Gamble

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This is article is part of my Resistance series. The ability to resist tyranny is a major part of Dystopian Survival.

As I've said before, the more we are part of the current worldly system established and controlled by the Elites, the more control they have over us, and the less ability we have to resist their plans. The more we remove ourselves from their system, the less control they will have over us, and the more we will be able to effectively resist their plans.

Many people are already afraid to speak out. Ordinary folks have been made afraid of being labeled as racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, or otherwise a "hater" by a dozen other labels. People aren't just afraid of the labels, they are afraid of the consequences of those labels.

Cancel culture means people labeled as "haters," no matter how unjustified, face many possible consequences, including losing not only their social media accounts, but also their jobs, their businesses, or even their friends and family. Some folks have actually lost their bank accounts, credit cards, and other services over "hate" allegations. 

The weaponization of the legal system, the DOJ, the IRS, the FBI, and various State and District Attorneys' offices and law enforcement organizations across America, is a very real problem. These organizations are being used to not only intimidate the opposition, but also to actually punish political and social dissent. These are the tactics of Nazi Germany, Communist China, and Soviet Union. Sadly, they are also the tactics of the Deep State of America, at the behest of the Global Elites. This situation will not be solved overnight once Trump is sworn into office. 

Political correctness has never been about wanting people to be nice or polite to each other, it is about intimidation and control of the language. Wokeness isn't about social or environmental "justice," but rather is simply a bullying tactic the Left uses to get their way. Do what we say to do. Say only what we allow. Think the way we tell you to think. Or we will destroy you.   

See The Matrix

How do we get out of their system? First and foremost, we have to see that we are caught in their system. We have to see The Matrix. Most people don't. We have been intentionally dumbed down, drugged up, bribed with "free" stuff, and distracted by modern day bread and circuses. In that state, is it any wonder most folks don't really realize what is going on? 

Then we, as individuals, families, and communities, can start to untangle ourselves from their system. It won't be easy - nothing worth doing ever is - but it is absolutely necessary. That is what Dystopian Survival and this Resistance series of articles is all about. 

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AD:  Total Resistance - The classic study on resistance & underground operations, by Swiss Major H. von Dach. Recommended by Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness). 

AD:  Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) - Another great resource for resistance & underground operations. Recommended by both Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) and Bear of Bear Independent. 

Review: WYuZe Nylon Webbing Tactical Belts

By Tim Gamble

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I did a review on these belts about five years ago. I gave them a very enthusiastic, positive review back then. Now that I've been wearing these belts exclusively for over five years, I think it is time for another review. This review will be as positive as the one back then, maybe more so. These are the best belts I have ever owned. 

The WYuZe Nylon Webbing Tactical Belts (Amazon link) are a fully adjustable, holeless design with a removable YKK plastic buckle (a high-quality hard plastic). The nylon belt is 1.5 inches wide and fits the belt loops on all my pants. Designs available in several colors (although mine are all black), these rugged belts work both as everyday work belts and as dress belts. In addition to wearing them as my everyday belt, I also wear them with dress slacks to church and on dates (the only times I "dress up"). 

I've been wearing these belts exclusively for over five years now with no problems whatsoever. As a prepper and outdoorsman, I lead a very active lifestyle (hiking, fishing, avid gardener, etc.) and always give my belts quite a workout. I also wear a multi-tool on my belt daily. In the past my leather belts have worn out quickly, becoming deformed, rolled, scraped up, and tearing where the holes are punched in. I even had a metal buckle break before. Over 5 years of wearing these belts everyday, and they still look new. Absolutely no problems.

They are easy to clean. Just wipe them down with a rag and some soapy water. 

I personally give these belts 5 out of 5 stars. Most Amazon reviewers seem to love this belt also, giving it 4.5 stars with over 10,000 reviews (89% of all reviews were either 4 or 5 stars). These belts are also very affordable, with a pack of two priced around $15 (depending on color choice). That is less than what one leather belt costs!  

I am an Amazon affiliate (Amazon link), so buying through the links in this article helps support this website. Thank you!!

Resisting Tyranny: Understanding the Elite's Game Plan

By Tim Gamble

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The Elites envision a world with a large underclass (they need productive workers), only a very small middle class (they do need a few working professionals), and a tiny upper class made up of themselves and their fellow elites. An elite class who, by virtue of their obvious superiority, have absolute control over the lesser classes. 

But, how are they going to achieve their version of utopia? What are their goals? What is their game plan?

The Elite's Game Plan

The Elites want an end to national governments, replacing governments with a global "scientific" dictatorship (a government by so-called "experts," including AI and computer algorithms), ultimately controlled by the Elites. 

The Elites want an end to any real borders and the idea of national sovereignty, which requires an end to patriotism. 

The Elites want to end the traditional concepts of family and religion, because they want people to have no loyalties other than to the new authoritarian scientific dictatorship. 

The Elites want ultimate control of the economy, which means an end to private property rights and the rights of inheritance (except for themselves, of course, and they do write the laws, installing loopholes for their lawyers and accountants to use). 

The Elites also want an end to cash, preferring a cashless, digital system to better monitor, tax, and control the lesser classes. 

The Elites want to be unfettered by morality and ethics, thus desire to end Biblical Christianity and long-held values, as well as traditional family and gender roles. Again, they see both God and the family unit as dangerous and unwanted competition to their desired utopia.

You only has to pay attention to current events, as well as historical trends over the last few decades (actually 100+ years) to see their plan slowly working out.

This is what we are resisting. 

Note: Originally published on TimGamble.com in 2023. 

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AD:  Total Resistance - The classic study on resistance & underground operations, by Swiss Major H. von Dach. Recommended by Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness). 

AD:  Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) - Another great resource for resistance & underground operations. Recommended by both Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) and Bear of Bear Independent. 

Geopolitics: Understanding Chaostan

By Tim Gamble

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Note: This is an old essay of mine, reprinted here to help folks understand geopolitics and its impacts.

Mental models are the way we understand the world; the system by which we think. Mental models are important in any decision making process because they are what we base our judgment on - the better the mental models we use, the better our decision making will be. 
 
Military strategist John Boyd explained the importance of mental models by teaching that in any conflict it is not the one with the most information that wins, but rather it is the one with the best understanding of the information they have, that wins.

Geopolitical Model: Chaostan

Chaostan is the geopolitical theory (mental model) by economist and historian Richard J. Maybury, which postulates that a large portion of the world is "the land of Chaos."  This land is made up of regions and countries with a long history of political and economic instability, little personal or economic freedom, and no experience with common (natural) law. These areas are often tribal, with people more loyal to ancient ethnic lines and religious sects than to their modern nation-states.

According to Maybury, Chaostan consists of about 100 nations, including most of the nations of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Maps and a full list of the nations considered by Maybury to make up Chaostan can be found on the Chaostan website.

Chaostan covers about one-third of the world’s land surface. It contains a disproportionate amount of the world’s natural resources, including at least 80% of the world’s oil supply and 50% of the world’s coal supplies. Chaostan also has a majority of the world's supply of rare earth metals, so important to modern technology and alternative energy sectors (the so-called "green economy"). It also has huge amounts of natural gas, gold, silver, platinum, copper, tin, iron, zinc, timber and grain. These are the basic raw materials upon which industrialized civilization rests, giving Chaostan an inordinate amount of influence over Western economies.

It would be thought that a part of the world with such abundance of natural resources would be very wealthy. This is not the case. Although the ruling classes in these regions often have immense wealth, the common folks tend to be among the poorest in the world. In part, this is due to a lack of education, but mostly it has to do with the lack of concepts such as economic liberty and personal property rights.

In contrast to Chaostan, Maybury lists what he considers the “Lands of Liberty.” These are nations where a tradition of liberty has been established – the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, the UK, Ireland and most of Western Europe. In these areas, economic liberty and personal property rights are well-established, and the citizens are more loyal to their nation-states than to tribal, ethnic or religious groups. Peace and prosperity (at least domestically), rather than chaos, are the hallmarks of these countries.

Some areas, such as Central and South America, exist somewhere between Chaostan and the Lands of Liberty. Only time will tell what direction these regions take.

It is also worth noting that the Lands of Liberty share a common heritage of Judeo-Christian values and worldview, whereas Chaostan is dominated by Islam (a perversion of the Abrahamic faiths) and other pagan religions.

How can the Chaostan model help in understanding world events? 

There is a vast difference between the worldviews and values of the Lands of Liberty and those of Chaostan that often make it difficult for the two civilizations to understand and interact with each other. Likewise, the disparity of wealth between the Lands of Liberty and Chaostan cause a certain amount of misunderstanding and mistrust between the two. The people of Chaostan often have negative feelings towards the West, including jealousy and anger. The people of the Lands of Liberty often look down on those of Chaostan as being backwards and even dangerous.

It is a mistake for the West to pretend that these differences don't exist, or worse, that the two civilizations are morally equal. They are not. Western civilization (the Lands of Liberty), though not perfect, is demonstrably the superior civilization. The domestic peace and economic success of the West, along with its far superior record regarding basic human rights, relative to the lack of these in Chaostan, is proof of the better system. 

The West does have the superior civilization, but does not have the right to impose its system on Chaostan through force. Nation building will never work in Chaostan because its people lack the necessary foundations for modern peaceful and stable nation-states. Simply put, they don't think the same way we do. Therefore, it is foolish to think we can forcibly squeeze them into a Western mold.

However, the West has the right and duty to protect itself from the very real threats posed by Chaostan. This includes controlling immigration (even "refugees") from Chaostan, and  insisting that immigrants, students, and temporary workers from Choastan adapt to the Western system while in the West. 

This means zero-tolerance for Sharia law and other forms of religious and cultural "accommodation" that are contrary to the Western system. 

This may also mean stopping countries like North Korea and Iran from developing nuclear programs because they lack the needed foundations to be responsible and peaceful nation-states. They will use their nuclear programs in an aggressive fashion because they know no other way.   

With such a large difference in worldviews, beliefs, values, and experiences, shouldn't the Lands of Liberty simply stop dealing with Chaostan? Nice idea, but it wouldn't work. The industrialized nations of the West need access to the immense natural resources of Chaostan. Chaostan needs the West as customers for those resources. Chaostan also needs access to Western technology, medicine, and education. 

Like it or not, we need each other. Besides, the genie is already out of the lamp, so to speak, as the Lands of Liberty have foolishly allowed  many millions of immigrants and refugees from Chaostan into our countries without insisting on full assimilation into our culture. 

There is a war of civilizations going on between the two sides. Virtually every hot spot and potential flashpoint in the world is explained by this model. The war, violence and poverty in Chaostan is mostly due to the lack of personal and economic liberty, including the lack of private property rights, as well as tribal & sectarian divisions. The inability & unwillingness of Chaostan immigrants and refuges to assimilate into Western culture is likewise explained.

Ultimate Reason We Should Care

Chaostan, with its war, violence and poverty, stands as a warning to the Lands of Liberty should we ever reject the concepts of personal and economic liberty, and our common Judeo-Christian heritage. Chaostan is our future should we continue down the path of collectivism, rejecting free markets and private property rights in favor of socialism, and rejecting personal and religious freedom in favor of imposing wokeness and political correctness. It may already be too late to stop the Western decent into chaos.  

***** I want to give Richard J. Maybury full credit for his concept of Chaostan. The middle section of this article is my summary of Mr. Maybury's geopolitical theory, as best as I understand it. For more details, please visit his website.

Mr. Maybury is also the author of a great set of educational books on economics, law, history, and personal finance, called the "Uncle Eric Books." I strongly recommend these easy-to-read, highly informative books. Here are two of my favorites:

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?  A Fast, Clear, and Fun Explanation of the Economics You Need For Success in Your Career, Business, and Investments

Whatever Happened to Justice?  Explains what's gone wrong with America's legal system and economy and how to fix it.

Something To Think About: Learned Helplessness

By Tim Gamble

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Think back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Remember the images of all those people standing around in knee-deep water waiting for the government or someone else to help them? They had several days warning that a major hurricane was on the way, yet they did nothing. Even after Katrina hit, flooding large sections of the city and collapsing its infrastructure, they did nothing to get themselves out of the situation. Instead they stood around in knee-deep water until authorities were able to round them up and ship them to the horrible and dangerous conditions of the Superdome. It was a truly stunning display of passivity in the face of adversity and danger. 

There is an actual term for this passivity. It is called "learned helplessness," a behavioral term for when an organism (animal or human) has been taught through external stimuli to not help themselves, but to depend on outside factors. In the case of those people in New Orleans, generations of public education and government dependence left much of the population unable or unwilling to help themselves. For most, it didn't even occur to them to try to get out of that situation on their own. And, if it did, they simply didn't know how to even start to help themselves.

Interestingly, the term "learned helplessness" appears in CIA manuals declassified in 1996 and 1997. The CIA defines learned helplessness as a type of instilled "apathy" which it is very difficult or even impossible to overcome.

Unlearning learned helplessness is difficult, but can be done if you are motivated to do so. Stop blinding trusting government, authorities, and experts (article, article). Learn Situational Awareness (article) and Sociopolitical  Awareness (article). Learn to be self-reliant (article). Take responsibility for your own life. Learn DIY skills (article). 

Remember: The single most important thing you can do to survive future chaos is to start taking responsibility for your own life now.

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Ad: Survivalist Family: Prepared Americans for a Strong America (Affiliate link) by Pastor Joe Fox (Viking Preparedness), is a great guide to beginner and intermediate preparedness and survival. Highly recommended. 

What Is Self-Reliance?

By Tim Gamble

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Self-reliance is absolutely fundamental to what we are doing as preppers and survivalists. Without developing self reliance, all our other preparations will simply be useless. Sadly, the average person today doesn't have much self-reliance, and doesn't even understand what it is. So, what is self-reliance? 

The Free Dictionary website defines self-reliance as "Reliance on one's own capabilities, judgment, or resources; independence." John McCann, in his book Practical Self-Reliance (Amazon link), defines self-reliance as: "self-reliance is being able to do as much as we can without outside assistance." 

Both are decent definitions, but they fall short of explaining exactly what self-reliance is.

There are lots of facets to the concept of self-reliance. Much has been written on the subject, from Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous essay Self-Reliance, to John D. McCann's aforementioned book. Here is my attempt to boil down the thoughts of those men, others, and myself, into seven foundational points:

1- Assume responsibility for your own life. Don't wait around for  others to take care of you. Take care of yourself without waiting for the government or anyone else to take care of you. Also, don't sit around whining that life is unfair, or that other's have it so much better than you. Instead, get off your a** and do something about it. You are in charge of your life, so act like it. 

2- Take the blame for your own life. Don't scapegoat others. Don't "pass the buck." If you are blaming someone else, you are not being self-reliant. Even when things happen that seem beyond your control - such as being robbed, being laid-off, or even your house burning down - you are still in control of how you react to those things. Don't ever take on the popular mantle of "victim." 

3- Be informed. It is your responsibility to find out the facts and information you need to make informed decisions. Keep up with current events, especially on the local level. Keep up with the trends in your industry. Know what is expected of you. Know where to get information. Ask questions. Be a lifelong learner. Remember the acronym ASK -  Always Seek Knowledge.

4- Know where your going. Know what you want, both out of life and in any specific situation. What is your purpose? What are your goals? What do you hope to accomplish? Don't just drift through life. Think. Know yourself. Plan ahead.

5- Make your own decisions. Don't let others run your life for you - and that especially includes the government. Don't worry about what others think of you. Don't worry about being politically correct or socially acceptable. Don't give in to peer pressure. Don't just "go along to get along." Be independent. Decide for yourself. 

6- Learn skills. The more skills you have, the more self-reliant you can be. And by skills, I don't just mean various homesteading, bushcraft, and country skills so popular with most preppers, but other skills as well, including mechanical skills, computer skills, negotiating skills, business skills, financial skills, budgeting skills, leadership skills, people skills, networking skills...

7- Gain experience. Experience gives you wisdom. Knowledge learned from books, classrooms, and videos, is often theoretical. Theoretical knowledge may turn out to be wrong, incomplete, or impractical. Skills can be learned under perfect conditions. But real life tends to be messy, not perfect. Your skills may be challenged by stress, difficult conditions or a lack of resources. Nothing beats actual real world experience. Find ways to gain that experience.

One last word: Self-reliance isn't about not needing other people. That is self-sufficiency, and is probably impossible to truly achieve. No matter how self-reliant we are, there will be times that we need others.  Having said that, let's move on to what self-reliance really is...

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Ad:  Practical Self-Reliance - Reducing Your Dependency On Others (Amazon link) by John McCann. Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country, you can practice self-reliant methods of living. This book is an in depth look at practical ways you can reduce your dependency on others, and work towards a life of self-reliance. For anyone who wants to work towards being self-reliant, this book, with over 250 photos and diagrams, offers many helpful suggestions and ideas.

Resistance - Defining Terms (and why it is important to preppers)

By Tim Gamble

(Become a Dystopian: Click here to join the free email list!)

Part of what I consider Dystopian Survival is resisting tyranny in all its forms. A threat against our freedoms and our preferred way of life is as dangerous to us as any other threat, and we need to be prepared to resist it. 

In today's resistance message, I want to define a few terms that are often misunderstood, but first I want to give my Official Statement on Resistance:

"We the people have an inalienable right to resist, by all means peaceful and moral, any and all oppressive or tyrannical governments, corporations, and other authorities, including individuals who by their wealth, station, influence or other means, exercise or attempt to exercise power over others." (link to full article)

Resistance - The exercise of the right to defend against oppressive or tyrannical governments, corporations, and/or individuals, by all means peaceful and moral. 

Oppressive/Tyrannical - Any exercise of power that is illegitimate, authoritarian, unjust, or causes undue hardship. Any exercise of power that interferes with the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and private property, including the free exercise of religion, speech, assembly, self-defense, and parental rights, among others.

Self-Defense - The inalienable right to defend oneself or others against harm, including threats to life, health, liberty, and property. Includes the inalienable right to the tools of self-defense (firearms, knives, etc.), as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. 

Self-defense does not allow for retaliation, revenge, and vengeance. Self-defense does not include the unwise and inappropriate use of force. This includes being too quick to anger, and lacking self-control. "Employing potentially lethal force out of anger, hatred, jealously, or revenge is always wrong and is condemned by Scripture" (from The Biblical View of Self-Defense, on the Biblical Self-Defense website).

Rebellion/Revolution - Armed rebellion or revolution uses violence to remove those in authority from being in power, usually to stop various abuses by those authorities. It is always illegal, since it is the authorities in power that determine legality, but is sometimes necessary and moral (example, the original American Revolution).

Technocracy - Technocracy is a movement, an economic system, and a proposed form of government. It is also a form of social engineering. Its primary goal is to replace free enterprise and capitalism with a resource-based system using energy credits as its basic accounting units, rather than traditional forms of currency. 

This new economic system would be run by technocrats - scientists and other so-called "experts" - who would control 100% of the means of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. In a more dystopian twist, the "experts" running the system would include artificial intelligence and computer algorithms making many of the decisions. Technology, including AI, social credit scores, and sustainable development, will be used to monitor and control the people, ensuring compliance.  (article link)

Nationalism - Often intentionally confused with White Nationalism or National Socialism, the term Nationalism actually means neither of those things. By nationalism, I simply mean national sovereignty, a strong military, secure borders, and a sense of patriotism - a pride in and love for my country and putting the needs of my fellow countrymen first (America First). I hope citizens of other countries feel the same way about their country. This concept of nationalism is in no way fascist or racist, despite attempts to redefine it as such. 

NB!  The specific focus of my resistance articles is peaceful and legal resistance, and is in no way intended to be a call for violence or for armed revolution.  

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AD:  Total Resistance - The classic study on resistance & underground operations, by Swiss Major H. von Dach. Recommended by Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness). 

AD:  Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) - Another great resource for resistance & underground operations. Recommended by both Pastor Joe Fox (aka Viking Preparedness) and Bear of Bear Independent. 

1st Edition (1911) of the Boy Scouts Handbook

By Tim Gamble

(Become a Dystopian: Click here to join the free email list!)

This high-quality reprint of the first edition (from 1911) of the Boy Scouts Handbook would make a great gift for any current or former scout of any age, as well as any boy, young man, outdoorsman, survivalist, history buff, or Americana collector. Only $11.39 at the moment. https://amzn.to/3FahEJi 

I have a copy, and it is really, really nice. And choke full of good information from an era before political correctness, LGBT agendas, and Critical Race Theory!

It is also worth noting that they included the original ads found in the back of the 1911 edition. It is interesting to see the ads on things such as pocket knives (50¢ and $1), scout shoes, axes, first aid kits, and even .22 rifles. An incredible piece of Americana. 

Remember: I am an Amazon affiliate, and a small percentage of purchases made through these links helps support this website at no extra cost to you. Thank you!