By Cade Shadowlight
In survivalist fiction and prepper communities, the concept of a "Trigger Event" looms large—a single, catastrophic incident that sparks a cascade of crises, plunging modern civilization into chaos. From economic meltdowns to pandemics, these scenarios dominate survivalist novels and discussion boards.
A dramatic event triggers riots, looting, and societal collapse, followed by a period of anarchy. Yet, within only a few months or years, the "good guys" (that would be us) triumph thanks to our foresight, skills and resources. Order is restored, rights preserved, and a hopeful new world begins.
Take Mark Godwin’s Economic Collapse Chronicles (Amazon link), where the government’s inability to fund EBT cards triggers widespread unrest and eventual civil war. In his Cyber Armageddon series (Amazon link), a devastating cyberattack on the banking system sets off a similar chain reaction.
These type of narratives, while gripping, share a common thread: a single, identifiable event causes a swift collapse, followed by a relatively quick resolution. But history tells a different story. Civilizations don’t collapse overnight due to one catastrophic event.
Consider the Roman Empire, often cited as the gold standard of societal decline. Historian N.S. Gill notes, “The phrase ‘the Fall of Rome’ suggests some cataclysmic event ended the Roman Empire… But there was no barbarian horde, no single moment of collapse.”
Instead, the empire eroded over centuries, worn down by internal corruption, economic instability, external invasions, and cultural shifts. Generations lived through this slow decline, experiencing multiple crises, none of which delivered a fatal blow on its own.
Historians still debate when the Roman Empire truly “fell,” with estimates spanning centuries. This slow-burn reality challenges the survivalist fantasy. The appeal of a single, dramatic cause is undeniabl. It is simple, satisfying, and promises a quick resolution, like ripping off a bandage. In survivalist fiction, the pain is intense but temporary, culminating in a new dawn.
Yet, history suggests a grimmer prospect: a prolonged, multi-generational dystopia where challenges compound over decades, not months. No one wants to imagine a lifetime, or several, of hardship, fear, and dehumanization without immediate hope of relief. But if we’re to learn from history, this is the scenario we must prepare for.
The implications for preppers are profound. The Trigger Event mindset encourages short-term survival strategies, such as stockpiling a year's food, while awaiting a swift societal collapse and reset. But a slow collapse demands a different approach: resilience across generations.
This means building resilient families, sustainable communities, and self-reliance skills; fostering adaptability to endure current and future chaos; and instilling values and skills in our children and grandchildren to navigate a world in decline.
Our hope lies not in a quick victory over chaos but in our ability to adapt, endure, and thrive through a prolonged dystopia. By letting go of the Trigger Event myth, we can focus on what history teaches: survival is about perseverance, preparation, and passing on the tools—physical, mental, and cultural—to weather the long storm ahead.
Join the Discussion: How are you preparing for a slow collapse? Share your strategies in the comments below. Let’s build a community ready for the long haul.
Consider the Roman Empire, often cited as the gold standard of societal decline. Historian N.S. Gill notes, “The phrase ‘the Fall of Rome’ suggests some cataclysmic event ended the Roman Empire… But there was no barbarian horde, no single moment of collapse.”
Instead, the empire eroded over centuries, worn down by internal corruption, economic instability, external invasions, and cultural shifts. Generations lived through this slow decline, experiencing multiple crises, none of which delivered a fatal blow on its own.
Historians still debate when the Roman Empire truly “fell,” with estimates spanning centuries. This slow-burn reality challenges the survivalist fantasy. The appeal of a single, dramatic cause is undeniabl. It is simple, satisfying, and promises a quick resolution, like ripping off a bandage. In survivalist fiction, the pain is intense but temporary, culminating in a new dawn.
Yet, history suggests a grimmer prospect: a prolonged, multi-generational dystopia where challenges compound over decades, not months. No one wants to imagine a lifetime, or several, of hardship, fear, and dehumanization without immediate hope of relief. But if we’re to learn from history, this is the scenario we must prepare for.
The implications for preppers are profound. The Trigger Event mindset encourages short-term survival strategies, such as stockpiling a year's food, while awaiting a swift societal collapse and reset. But a slow collapse demands a different approach: resilience across generations.
This means building resilient families, sustainable communities, and self-reliance skills; fostering adaptability to endure current and future chaos; and instilling values and skills in our children and grandchildren to navigate a world in decline.
Our hope lies not in a quick victory over chaos but in our ability to adapt, endure, and thrive through a prolonged dystopia. By letting go of the Trigger Event myth, we can focus on what history teaches: survival is about perseverance, preparation, and passing on the tools—physical, mental, and cultural—to weather the long storm ahead.
Join the Discussion: How are you preparing for a slow collapse? Share your strategies in the comments below. Let’s build a community ready for the long haul.
------------------------
Refuge Medical & Refuge Training (affiliate link) - American made First Aid Kits that save the day + Training to back it up. Auto-discount at checkout with my affiliate link.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are posted without moderation. Use caution when following links. Please keep discussions civil and on-topic.