justifying using modern technology

[corndog-44]

How would you justify using modern technology in the backwoods? I know that this question is much easier to understand if one is born into the backwoods lifestyle. I think it is a matter of "drawing a line" at having things and the modern technology that we do use should be purpose driven. For example; A person would not just "talk" on the phone.They would use the phone for a specific utilitarian purpose, i.e., to order supplies for the farm, to call the doctor or notify a distant family member of a death or major illness in the family. The call would be a conversation of purpose.

[trax]

I don't justify anything I do in the backwoods. I use a lot of modern technology too, modern tent, modern rifle, monofilament fishing line, steel ax , knife, snare wire. I even bring a battery operated light . I know a lot of folks don't but it's a matter of personal preference to me. What I don't do is pack around a whole lot of unnecessary crap with me, can't plug the waffle maker into a currant bush kind of thinking.

I prefer to not use mechanized equipment...ie quads, motorboats, etc because I think there's too much of that nonsense going on out in the bush and I go there to get away from those kinds of noises.

[Rick]

Ditto. As I said elsewhere. It's a personal choice where you stop on the techno. timeline. I'll use anything that is convenient, lightweight and logical. Oh, inexpensive, too.

[Ole WV Coot]

I'll use anything I can beg, borrow or steal. The name of the game is survival. What works for me might not work for you.

[Nativedude]

I don't justify anything I do in the backwoods. . . .What I don't do is pack around a whole lot of unnecessary crap with me, can't plug the waffle maker into a currant bush kind of thinking.

I prefer to not use mechanized equipment,i.e; quads, motorboats, etc., because I think there's too much of that nonsense going on out in the bush and I go there to get away from those kinds of noises.

Trax is absolutely right! It is a matter of personal preference. I take nothing modern into the woods with me, except for a metal knife. . .on occasion. I prefer to do everything "primitively". From the stone age time period.

I do it just to see if I can, and to see what "new" things I can come up with in the woods. It is more self-gratifying and satisfying for me.

I have taken people out, that have practically everything they own in a backpack. 60 - 80# strapped to their back. 6 and 7 thousand cu in. packs filled to the point where the seams are stressed. Just about every possible piece of modern "survival" technology crammed in there. Once whittled down, and by the end of the trip, these modern "techno-worshipers, realize that they don't need all that equipment to survive, sustain, be secure, and subsist in the woods, and that they can do it, somewhat comfortably, with a minimum amount of "stuff"!

[MCBushbaby]

I think the most techy thing I bring is an LED headlamp, though I've been trying to replace it with a candle. Other than that I suppose my knife and pepsi-can stove are "technology". Come to think of it my pack is technology. The question is, I suppose, what counts as modern technology? Anything you can't make in the bush? Anything mechanical or driven by gas/electricity? Are clothes considered technology?

[trax]

clothes...yeah, not too many people gamboling about out there in only fur and leather (although there are some as per the posts here) so it's a heck of a good question....what counts as technology? I wore mukluks through a lot of my life as winter footwear, but since I don't have them right now...I sure as h### make sure that I have winter boots and I get to and from where I'm heading out into the wilds in a car for that matter...

I can make a shelter out of saplings but I usually use a tent with those whip-cord poles....obviously whoever designed that used saplings as their model, lol. I guess I'm of a mind that I know I can go primitive but I'll use some of the modern comforts as long as they're available and not more trouble than they are of value.

[Rick]

I'm going through a phase currently. I seem to do that from time to time. I did a lot of the techno stuff in the past and I'm getting more and more away from it. Going back to natural fibers (wool) on clothing and getting away from the tent scene. I'll bet everyone here has done the same thing trying to figure out what worked the best for them. I won't compromise on boots. Especially in winter. Cold, numb feet won't get you home. But I'm trending toward doing more with less. My dad always told me to work smarter, not harder. That's especially true when Mother Nature is your boss.

[trax]

I'm going through a phase currently. I seem to do that from time to time.

You'll be ok after your voice changes, but you're probably going to find out that there's hair growing in new places on your body and you're having really strange dreams and you're starting to like girls...just trying to help.

[Rick]

Well, doc. It all started when I entered the telepod and, unbeknownst to me, there was a fly inside it.

[Gray Wolf]

Well, doc. It all started when I entered the telepod and, unbeknownst to me, there was a fly inside it.

And What's Your Problem..........

[Rick]

You'll be ok after your voice changes, but you're probably going to find out that there's hair growing in new places on your body and you're having really strange dreams and you're starting to like girls...just trying to help.

Trax was traxxing me (new word I just invented), per usual I might add, about going through changes.

[DOGMAN]

For me, I think the modern stuff (GPS, Sat phone, walky talkies, weather radioes, Bic lighters, etc...) are great things and they work well and help many folks and probably save many lives. However, I think it is important to know how to get by without the modern stuff. Because- eventually if your out long enough your going to suffer from equipment failure. So, its important to know how to get by without that stuff. The modern stuff can give us a false sense of security- and let us think we are more savy in the woods then we really are. I look at that stuff as luxury items....sort of like toilet paper- its great to have, I love to use it- but, i know if I have to I can still keep my a$$ comfortable without it.

[Alpine_Sapper]

For me, I think the modern stuff (GPS, Sat phone, walky talkies, weather radioes, Bic lighters, etc...) are great things and they work well and help many folks and probably save many lives. However, I think it is important to know how to get by without the modern stuff. Because- eventually if your out long enough your going to suffer from equipment failure. So, its important to know how to get by without that stuff. The modern stuff can give us a false sense of security- and let us think we are more savy in the woods then we really are. I look at that stuff as luxury items....sort of like toilet paper- its great to have, I love to use it- but, i know if I have to I can still keep my a$$ comfortable without it.

Amen. Preach on brother. Seriously, that's how most people should look at it, imho. I know a lot of guys on here are into the fur and stone knife thing. Me, not so much. I do carry tech into the field. Hell, I carry a laptop at times. But I've gone out with people I work with who would have no idea what to do when that $500 GPS craps out, the batteries die, or you have no LOS and don't have a signal.

[klkak]

I love my -35 sleeping bag that is warm whether its wet or dry. Whoever designed it should get a medal.

[trax]

Know what you mean about the sleeping bag, I've had the same one for almost 30 years, can still sleep outside in the snow in it in -40 or so weather. I think the important thing to remember about modern versus traditional, older equipment is the individual's skill level. If you think you're gonna need it...take it along.

[BruceZed]

Were here on the Internet (using our the Electrical System, Computers, Routers, Phone/Cable Lines, Fibre Lines, Telecom Infrastructure, and maybe a Satellite or two) to discuss what modern equipment we should use to teach and or learn survival. Anything your need and that changes depending on the environment and conditions. Learn more skills and practise them more and you will become more confident in the areas of the NA Wilderness you travel in, but modern vs. traditional is completely moot in a real survival situation so don;t let it overwhelm your practising to survive in the wilderness.

[FVR]

I'm a pretty primitive guy, but in a survival situation, it's not a game, it's life and death. So, concerning modern tech., all is fair.


Primitive skills is fun, but realistically, it does not matter if I'm dead because of an ego thing.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

How would you justify using modern technology in the backwoods? I know that this question is much easier to understand if one is born into the backwoods lifestyle. I think it is a matter of "drawing a line" at having things and the modern technology that we do use should be purpose driven. For example; A person would not just "talk" on the phone.They would use the phone for a specific utilitarian purpose, i.e., to order supplies for the farm, to call the doctor or notify a distant family member of a death or major illness in the family. The call would be a conversation of purpose.

Using Gore-Tex, fleece, Thinsulate, nylon, Velcro, etc is all "modern technology." Yeah, if I built a house in the woods, even if it were solar powered and "off the grid" I'd still get a satellite, phone, and internet. Why knock it? It's not hurting you to have it. You're here now because of this blasted modern technology.

[Alpine_Sapper]

Using Gore-Tex, fleece, Thinsulate, nylon, Velcro, etc is all "modern technology." Yeah, if I built a house in the woods, even if it were solar powered and "off the grid" I'd still get a satellite, phone, and internet. Why knock it? It's not hurting you to have it. You're here now because of this blasted modern technology.

Just to further your point, how long have solar panels to power electricity been around?