Sufficiency Vs Reliancy: Or, Why "Preppers" Can't Handle a Lockdown

Okay, that title is a bit of clickbait, but it is the prepper-patriot crowd memes that have been going around that sparked the inspiration for this post.

If you haven't seen the memes, here is an example:

Although this is stereotyping that all preppers are also lockdown protestors (which I emphatically do not agree with), it does provide some interesting food for thought.

• What does self sufficiency really mean?
• Should we actually strive for self sufficiency?
• Is there an alternative that is a better end goal?

Let's break these down.

What does self sufficient mean?

On its face, being self sufficient sounds like a good goal. We espouse it to our children -- "become a self sufficient adult." When prices go up, we try to find our own way of replacing the expensive item -- "I need to be more self sufficient."

My argument is that we really don't know what we are saying.

In my own words, which have been influenced by the writings of permaculture greats like Joel Salatin and Peter Bane, self sufficiency is being able to provide for your most basic needs (food, shelter, water) without any external inputs.  

In other words, you build your own house from materials you procure onsite (no mass produced components, purchased building supplies, etc). You grow all your own food -- if it doesn't come from your hand, you don't eat it. You harvest your own water, either from a hand dug well or a natural feature.

Preppers are thus named because they prep for sufficiency. They purchase tools and supplies ahead of time in preparation for a period where they may have to be self sufficient. They store crazy amounts of canned food in bunkers. They may put in some systems, as well, like solar energy or a big garden, but overall they are trying to purchase peace of mind.

So, should we strive to be self sufficient?

There is not a simple yes or no answer. Some self sufficiency is healthy, for both oneself and the environment.

Some examples of healthy self sufficiency include:

• Cutting your own hair to save the time and expense of outside hair cuts.
• Learning to make bread so you are in control of ingredients, cost, and quality.
• Studying basic auto repair so you aren't left stranded on the side of the road.

Other self sufficient tasks are worthwhile to learn, but aren't necessarily something you want to do every day. For example:

• I know how to wash my clothes completely by hand -- which is helpful in the event my washer breaks -- but I will continue to use a washing machine.  
• I can make my own tofu using beans and lemon juice, but most of the time I will purchase it.
• In a pinch I can disinfect and seal up a deep cut, but I'll go to a doctor for the professional stitching if I am able. 

Other self sufficient tasks can actually be harmful, undermining the very sufficiency the practitioners are trying to attain:

• I stockpile bullets and weapons to protect my horde, thus creating a mental state of distrust.
• I hide my bounty from neighbors -- let them starve! -- to increase my own chances for survival. 
• I retreat to a compound alone or with just my small family group to help ensure my survival, thus cutting all ties to a community that could ease the journey. 

So yes, we should focus on learning those self sufficiency skills that are most likely to impact our lives if we were to lose access to our community for help. Skills are important to have and to practice. But, we must also find balance so we don't cut ourselves off from community.

What is the alternative?

I argue that a better all around goal is self reliancy. A self reliant person looks at all the systems that lead to a fulfilling and contented life, not just those that meet their most basic needs. Reliance is about building a network of systems -- a community -- to support one in overall survival and sufficiency. Once again in my own words, self reliancy is being able to provide for your most basic physical needs (food, shelter, water), along with your emotional needs, via self sufficient behaviors as well as with community support and inputs.

An example of a self reliant human system is as follows:

Community Alpha has a large farm that primarily grows summer fruits and vegetables, as well as an orchard. The residents are well versed on cob building and tend to put out some of the best tasting loaves of bread you have ever had the pleasure of enjoying.

Community Beta has a larger farm but not as many members. They primarily focus on wheat and legume production. A few of their members are also quite skilled with spinning and on the sewing machine, and their clothing is adored by many. Naturally, there are other communities that grow the wool and flax needed for this endeavor.

Neither community is self sufficient, but by working together they have overall reliance. Alpha grows plenty of extra, so Beta can easily trade or purchase the fresh fruits and vegetables they need, as well as partake of Alpha's amazing baking skills. Beta will also sometimes lend manpower for Alpha's next cob building project. Alpha depends on Beta for the wheat they need to bake and the legumes they need to complete their diet, as well as for new clothing. The result is a web of interconnected communities.

Yes, each could survive on its own if they had to, but they are stronger if they rely on each other's strengths and shore up each other's weaknesses.

What does this have to do with lockdown protests and preppers?

Too many people think that self sufficiency is the only answer to survival, but they forget that humans are a communal animal. When building up a fully self sufficient "bunker," the main ingredient for successful survival is often forgotton:

Community

No one was really protesting because they wanted a haircut, as funny as that is to imagine. They were protesting because:

• They were lonely
• They were scared
• They were lost

A focus on self reliance would have eliminated most of these.

• Even when separated physically, it is hard to be lonely if you are part of a healthy community that takes care of each other. Small scale community quarantining is possible in truly self reliant communities. Look to the co-housing projects, communes, and ecovillages to see how they have weathered the lockdown healthily without sacrificing community and togetherness. 
• There is a lot to be scared of -- illness, death, bankruptcy. When one is practicing reliance as opposed to sufficiency, they will have put systems in place to help protect them from these fears. Backup income or income sharing, community aid networks, access to necessary foods and goods, and the skills to make due until the danger has passed. If their own systems fail, they will have the community available to catch them.
• Sitting day after day on your couch with no contact with the outside world leads to a lot of people being stuck in their own heads. Thanks to the 24 hour news cycle, social media, and a culture of consumerism, many people have never actually gotten to know themselves. Part of being self reliant is to truly know oneself and one's place  in the community and the world at large. With this knowledge, the ego quiets and the fear of being lost and forgotten fades. 

What is the answer?

It will probably take someone a lot more educated than myself to work out the full answer, but I do believe that combining self sufficient skills with self reliant community building is the foundation upon which we must start.

We are reliant on many things, yet we are slowly destroying them in an effort to be sufficient -- our atmosphere, oceans, the flora and fauna that feeds our bodies and our souls, they are all at risk. I maintain that ecologically-based small communities that are spokes in larger community hubs will be the most logical path forward. 


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