I know what your thinking, Punk music is as far from survivalisim as possible. Well I’m going to give you ten lessons from punk that can be applied to you survival philosophy. Punk is a very big genre and not every idea is shared with all bands. But to me if you boil it down to its core these are the main take a ways you get.
#1 Never trust the government
This is the big one. It’s shared universally by the punk movement. The government simply cannot be trusted. The gov exists to gain more power for itself and take power from the people. The government wants to erode your personal liberty and replace it with reliance on the government. This reliance comes at the cost of taxes. Taxes for everything. Taxes to fuel an every increasing government. Your number one goal in survival should be to strive towards eliminating or reducing your reliance on government assistance and reducing your taxes. Do you drink beer? I sure do. Then brew your own. You eliminate the sin tax that way. You grow personal freedom. The pride from drinking your own brew can’t be matched by anything from the store.
#2 DIY
This is the other core tenet of punk ideology. Just go do it. Many great punk bands have never been signed to a record label. The idea of just doing something and putting it out there. Albums record on radios dubbed to cassette tales and self distributed. The Zines that came out, self published magazines often made on photocopiers. The focus not being on a refined product. Simply capturing the raw passion and doing it. Getting it out there. The same applies to your survival goals. Stop trying to do everything perfect. Learning and research are great but you can easily become overwhelmed. Instead try just doing something. Focus on one goal at a time and get it knocked out. It’s far better to try, and fail than to never try.
#3 You don’t need to fit in
Punks simply don’t care. And you shouldn’t either. No you don’t need a to get spiky hair and piercings. But learning that you don’t need to impress anyone is an important lesson. If you are busy keeping up with the Jones running up credit card debt with crap you don’t need you are trying to fit in. Stop trying to copy what others are doing and think for yourself. Learn that being yourself is fine. Mainstream media tells you that preppers and survivalist are all crazy nut jobs. You know this not to be true, in fact it makes the most sense to be prepared for life. Its OK not to fit in with the sheeple. Do what you know is right and you will never be wrong.
#4 Libertarian views
This one is not quiet as universal and is a point of argument among some. There are punk bands that are very strongly libertarian. Personally I think that the bands that are not simply don’t realize they are. Simply following the core tenants of punk almost make you a Libertarian. If you ask pretty much any punk if the government is too big you will get a YES. While anarchy seems to be a dominating ideal in punk libertarianism is only a step above it and is actually closer to what most want.
#5 Self Reliant
Being anti government and pro DIY punks by nature tend to be very self reliant. They tend to have the attitude of first always try to solve your problems yourself. Using creativity and thought instead of reliance on the systems .This is an attitude sadly now starting to vanish in America. When something breaks your first thought should be how can I fix it. With the internet know this can be accomplished easily. Start now on increasing you self reliance grow a garden, change your own oil the next time it needs to be done.
#6 Community
Although Punk is a pro self reliant and strongly independent. The community bonds are strong. Looking out for each other is a common trait. Helping your neighbor even at the detriment to yourself. This are noble traits and ones most would not attribute to the punks. Sense of community is fading away as the internet is growing more prevalent. Sure internet communities are growing but saying Hi to your neighbor is gone. Watch couples out on a date most likely both are staring at their phones. Building good ties with your real community now in a stress free time could be vital in a disaster. Knowing who you can count on and knowing your there for them. Try saying hello to your neighbors and attempt to start a conversation. You might have more in common than either of you think. And if you really are that much different try moving and getting to know your new neighbors before you get there.
#7 Taking action
Punk is impulsive. Which can be either good or bad depending on the situation. But inaction is not in the punk vocabulary. No pointless talking about something. Go do it. No dreaming for something that could be easily obtained if only you were not afraid to try it. You are either moving closer to your goals with action or moving further away with inaction. Much like sitting on the couch wishing to lose weight. You have the weight and will continue to gain through your inaction. Once you decide on a goal start working towards it. Even small steps add up and will get you there.
#8 Innovating
Doing what has never been done before in ways that have never been done before. Punk is constantly innovating. It was born on the principle of being different. Just because things are always done a certain way does not mean they must always be done that way. Using creativity to solve problems is key. Learning to look at things with an eye for not what it is but what is can be. I routinely reuse what many consider trash in new ways. Empty salsa jars make good containers for dehydrated goods. Rubber bands that are everywhere, free cordage. Walk around stores and try to see what items can be repurposed into survival gear. Next time you go to throw something away think first “Can this be used for something else”
#9 Minimalistic
Punk is not fancy nor cluttered. Learning to live without the newest “I” this or that. Humans today try to fill their lives with stuff to make them happy. Having less stuff is a real eye opener. When everything you own is vitally important and nothing else is kept then you are more happy. At one point everything I owned fit inside a backpack. Life was good. I had little interest in money to buy things cause anything bought meant something else had to go. Now I’m not advocating selling everything you own and being a transient. If that’s what makes you happy go ahead. However focusing on life and enjoying it more than filling it with things is the key. Before you buy ask yourself do I need this? Is it moving you closer to independence and freedom or further shackling you?
#10 Never give up
Never give up! Punk is resilient and that why it wont go away. Keep trying even if you fail time and again. Garden fail? Find out what you did and do it a different way. Learning through failure is one of the strongest teachers. Learn from your mistakes and try again. If it’s important enough to do, its important enough to keep trying at.
Those are what ten lessons from the punk movement that can be applied to your daily life to empower you to achieve your goals in survival and personal freedom. If you have any you would like to add let me know if the comments.
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