There are hundreds if not thousands of prepper video on YouTube. If you haven’t already tried it, just do a search for SHTF or WROL and you’ll see what comes up (and that doesn’t include “survivalist”, “prepper”, “survival”, “economic collapse” etc). The videos range in quality from someone with a PC cam and a headset microphone just talking about various topics to well made hands-on discussions on a range of topics. And many YouTube video preppers have large followings. I will say that I have subscribed to a couple of prepper channels and have learned several good things from them, as well as saying that I don’t always agree with the opinions expressed.
Recently I watched a video from a non-prepper woman that was a response to a well known and followed prepper. I won’t mention the preppers’ screen name since I do not want to be critical of him per se (the comments in the video and that follow can and do apply to many other YouTube preppers as well), though if you have seen any of his videos you will likely know who he is based on the description.
I also will not be posting the response video in question nor a link to it because it is a very profane, racists, reverse-discrimination, extremist (to the left) point of view. I don’t have to give her further audience. Therefore I will need to describe her criticisms for you.
However, putting those negatives aside for a moment (and I am not dismissing them), I do think she makes an interesting point. And one that I too have wondered about while watching some of these videos, seeing the types of equipment and quantities of equipment these preppers show.
In the response video the woman was very critical of how the prepper presents himself based on his appearance in the video, as well as his surroundings and props, and manner of speaking. In short, her point was she doesn’t believe he can be for real. She believes that he (and I presume some others) are just ‘too good to be true’ (my paraphrase). She believes that he and others are a ‘set up’ to purposely give false or misleading information. A “patsy”. Or to make others come out of anonymity and expose their beliefs and preps for possible legal action late if/when a disaster happens
And she raises several good questions.
The particular prepper she was responding to usually presents himself sitting in front of a wall-size American flag, on a woodland patterned sofa, holding a large AK style rifle that is adorned with all sorts of high-end accessories (holo sights, front grip, drum magazine, etc), and wears a battle vest with each pocket bursting with loaded 30 round magazines (and is that body armor under the vest?). Clearly the camera is on a tripod in front of him as he does his presentation.
The woman raises several points of which the 3 main ones are:
- Where does he get the money for such a weapon setup?He is a young man, best guess in late 20’s. By his own words he recently was discharged from a tour in the military which is notorious for poor pay. The woman “doubt’s he’s an investment banker” (her quote). While I presume he’s single and no kids (anyone married and/or with kids will tell you they have no money!) that battle rifle and outfit alone must cost at least $2,000. And that’s before all the ammunition he shows in his preps.Plus, that isn’t his only weapon. And that is in addition to other equipment and preps he shows in his videos.
So where does a 20-something who apparently only ‘worked’ in the military get the funds to purchase such equipment and supplies? And when did he have the time while serving in the military to shop for, purchase, and organize these things?
I suppose he may have had help from friends or family with the purchases. And who knows – maybe he is independently well off! (Though at the risk of judgment, I doubt it) Normally I would say it’s no one’s business where someone else gets their income (unless you’re going to try to prove they got it from illicit activity). But I do think this is a legitimate question. Not just of this particular prepper but others as well.
- Why would he present himself in such an open and clichéd manner on YouTube?In all his videos his face is clearly shown, he isn’t trying to hide or be anonymous. That and his ‘battle ready’ character is such a cliché for anyone who wants to believe survivalists are nothing more than good ol’ boys with big guns that can’t wait for a fight with the government.In this day and age of near paranoid security, one would think he’d be a little concerned for getting a visit from DHS, FBI, NSA, ATF or a dozen other Federal (or local) agencies. Not that he is violating any laws per se (that I can tell, I don’t know the details of the status where he lives – for all I know that gun and accessories might just be a good looking fake movie prop!) nor has he made an overt threats but some of the things he has said can, in today’s world, at the very least get him on a ‘watch list’.
He is clearly expressing very patriotic ideas. So as a patriot he may feel he is protected by 1st and 2nd amendment rights as well as the spirit of the Constitution. Unfortunately, in this day and age that and $1.00 will get you a small coffee at best. While you and I may not care, or at best just roll our eyes, such an appearance is a very strong and extreme imagine in today’s PC word.
It’s a delicate subject: Stand for what you believe in and face the possible harsh consequences, or, try to remain under the radar and be part of the problem instead of the solution. I can’t answer that. But I do I agree it is curious. Very very few other on YouTube take it that far.
- He speaks too clearly, too well prepared to be an ‘armature’ video producer.The prepper is always well spoken, clear, no stuttering, no “um” or uneven speaking. He seems extremely well prepared with what his is to say, almost professional.This too is a very subjective criticism. Some people are just better public speakers than others. You can’t tell that by appearance alone. And he does seem to have notes in front of him, which is a very common speaking technique taught in every high school.
For these reasons she ponders if this prepper and others are legitimately just the guy-next-door or are ‘pasties’ to provide disinformation and false efforts. A bit tin-foil-hat-ish but you have to consider the source.
Nevertheless, points 1&2 I tend to agree with in so far as wondering those points too. I am much older than many of these preppers with more of an established professional career. Yet even so I can’t afford the kinds and quantities of equipment and preps these people seem to have. Even if I cut all entertainments and anything extra out of my life I wouldn’t be able to afford these items in the quantities they seem to have. It would take me years to accumulate all the items, if at all, presuming I paid for them all myself.
At the risk of putting on the tin-foil-hat myself, there is some logic to the idea that maybe, just perhaps, in today’s world preppers are seen by some to be a threat. Or perhaps a “problem” to be addressed. In that light, it is a time proven technique to place mis-information and false leaders inside such communities.
I am not making any accusations about this or any other prepper on YouTube. In fact, the above criticisms aside, I find little wrong technically with that these preppers are saying. Certainly well with topics of discussion.
I believe the point is a warning to preppers: Be careful about who and what you see on YouTube. And who you associate with. Always be cautious.
Is this guy a shill, a paid actor trolling youtube for the goverenment to harvest information on “malcontents”? Probably not. However, to assume that our “Homeland Security” *cough* police state *cough*, is NOT gathering intel on “malcontents” (aka: citizens) would be foolish on our part. Often enough its simply the fact that people can’t keep their mouths shut that gives the government all the information it needs. I would have to say though that after seeing his video, he did a wonderful job of outing himself as a threat to the government.
In the society we live in, it is prudent to KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. The government desires power. The best way to achieve this is to make the populous indebted to government. If you are part of the system and dependent on the system then you will do anything to preserve the system. People who are not dependent on the system are a threat and will be enemies of those who are dependent on the system.
Remaining under the radar and keeping the front up of a helpless sheep is the best way to avoid relocation to FEMA re-education camps in the not too distant future. The best tool we have is our brains. Best to use them first before flapping our gums on YouTube or Facebook.
Chir, I realize this is months late but having just found this blog i felt the need to put my 2 cents in, as unwelcome as it may be.
I completely understand your position in this day and age, to “keep your mouth shut” , move along, nothing to see here, mentality. It seems like such a good and sensible idea. Why in the hell, would I ever say anything like that to others when it will inevitably lead back to me in a negative manner. It seems counter intuitive to tell them what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, how I’m doing it, or even for what purpose I’m doing it. Hell, anytime you see something, your first reaction is almost always “keep your mouth shut” and move on. Seems normal.
But just why is that normal? Why do we have to hide something we believe in? for that matter, what is “normal”? (These are of course rhetorical questions.) All I’m saying is, challenge those preconceived notions, challenge the status quo.
I grew up in the city and moved to the country when I was in my mid teens and living in this new place was, to say the least, a culture shock in more ways than one. In reference to my subject, however, I found it most disturbing that people were so open, willing to share information, share ideas, feelings, or even ‘tell on people.’ It was very odd, and very honest. From moving from a more liberal area of a city to a more conservative town, it felt pretty ironic that there was much more free exchange of ideas in the conservative town than the liberal city schools.
To quote the articles author: “Stand for what you believe in and face the possible harsh consequences, or try to remain under the radar and be part of the problem instead of the solution.” I wish more people did the former, because I know the majority does the latter.
“Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to, convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty.” ‑Jefferson
Because if we don’t do it, who will?
I wish more people were as brave as some of the people I see on youtube, television, or even the internet. People that get mocked and made out to be “tin foil hat” wearing wackos. In spite of that, they keep trudging forward for ideals and values they truly believe in. I have a lot of respect for these people, no matter what they are advocating, because they choose to fight and explain to others what they believe.
I mean honestly, when is the last time you saw 90% of voting age adults in your county attend a caucus or a party meeting? Never. ever, ever, ever, have you seen that. I can almost gold stamp guarantee it. Why? It’s hard. Freedom is hard. It really is. (and if you’ve ever attended a caucus before you know why…lol)
However, I do sympathize with the other aspect of the argument to lay low and stay under the radar. Stay out of the way. Say nothing. It is easy to cruel, it’s to easy, especially for government. Why is it though? Only because we let it. That’s the only reason.
Thanks for your time,
Jared
P.S. Sorry for the long read.
Chir, I realize this is months late but having just found this blog i felt the need to put my 2 cents in, as unwelcome as it may be.
I completely understand your position in this day and age, to “keep your mouth shut” , move along, nothing to see here, mentality. It seems like such a good and sensible idea. Why in the hell, would I ever say anything like that to others when it will inevitably lead back to me in a negative manner. It seems counter intuitive to tell them what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, how I’m doing it, or even for what purpose I’m doing it. Hell, anytime you see something, your first reaction is almost always “keep your mouth shut” and move on. Seems normal.
But just why is that normal? Why do we have to hide something we believe in? for that matter, what is “normal”? (These are of course rhetorical questions.) All I’m saying is, challenge those preconceived notions, challenge the status quo.
I grew up in the city and moved to the country when I was in my mid teens and living in this new place was, to say the least, a culture shock in more ways than one. In reference to my subject, however, I found it most disturbing that people were so open, willing to share information, share ideas, feelings, or even ‘tell on people.’ It was very odd, and very honest. From moving from a more liberal area of a city to a more conservative town, it felt pretty ironic that there was much more free exchange of ideas in the conservative town than the liberal city schools.
To quote the articles author: “Stand for what you believe in and face the possible harsh consequences, or try to remain under the radar and be part of the problem instead of the solution.” I wish more people did the former, because I know the majority does the latter.
“Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to, convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty.” ‑Jefferson
Because if we don’t do it, who will?
I wish more people were as brave as some of the people I see on youtube, television, or even the internet. People that get mocked and made out to be “tin foil hat” wearing wackos. In spite of that, they keep trudging forward for ideals and values they truly believe in. I have a lot of respect for these people, no matter what they are advocating, because they choose to fight and explain to others what they believe.
I mean honestly, when is the last time you saw 90% of voting age adults in your county attend a caucus or a party meeting? Never. ever, ever, ever, have you seen that. I can almost gold stamp guarantee it. Why? It’s hard. Freedom is hard. It really is. (and if you’ve ever attended a caucus before you know why…lol)
However, I do sympathize with the other aspect of the argument to lay low and stay under the radar. Stay out of the way. Say nothing. It is easy to cruel, it’s to easy, especially for government. Why is it though? Only because we let it. That’s the only reason.
Thanks for your time,
Jared
P.S. Sorry for the long read.
I know the prepper you speak of. He was a gun guy before hand and didn’t have that big of a collection to begin with. I know from personal experience that when I got back from a deployment with no where to spend money, I had quite a big chunk of change. So the gear isn’t that suprising to me.
Nothing he posted has ever contained anything close to illegal in it. Mostly just run n gun shooting vids. ( He hasn’t posted in months and rarely posts to his forum) he did report that his 3 man team had went there seperate ways because of school obligation. Wired wrong is a hell of a guy and quieter a good shooter
The lady in the rsponce forum is nothing short of a racist moron who spouts CRAZY leftist positions and I’m sort of suprised she was taken seriously.
I wouldn’t worry about “plants” unless you start hearing them talk about doing actual illegal activities. Other than that, I think they are out there trying to wake folks up. And it takes a lot to stick your neck out there for the trolls to take a swipe @.
Regarding point #1; the military is no longer poorly paid. They are VERY well paid compared to their civilian counterparts. Their base pay is not necessarily high by itself, but considering the fact that the extra (nontaxed) money they receive for housing and free healthcare for their dependents, they have much more “disposable” income than the typical civilian wage earner. So I think it is perfectly possible that this prepper accumulated all of his arms, equipment, and supplies using his own money.