What can popular culture teach you about preparedness or survival? Quite a bit actually. Check out these lessons from “The Walking Dead.”
Are you worried about the end of the world as you know it? Don't panic. A total collapse of society might not be on the horizon — yet. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t seeing signs of some type of collapse. So yeah, if you're thinking about beginning your preps, start now.
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Partial collapse vs. total collapse
Many experts believe we’re approaching the tipping point for a partial collapse. What's a partial collapse, you ask? Well, it's like a pre-apocalyptic trial run that provides an opportunity for society to turn things around before the zombies come knocking. Or, you know, before any number of catastrophic events happen — and that’s where a total collapse comes in. A total collapse is the aftermath of one or more catastrophic events that completely upend the established order of society, resulting in widespread chaos and suffering.
Remember when Rick Grimes stood on a military tank in the middle of a city street with zombies surrounding him — and he’s wondering if he’s the only human left on earth — that’s a full-on total collapse. In a partial collapse, while some aspects of society start to break down, it doesn't completely fall apart.
Arguments for a partial collapse
So, why is a partial collapse more likely to happen than a total collapse? Here are three reasons to put your mind at ease (or not).
First, the world is a tough place, but it's also pretty resilient. Humans have been through all sorts of disasters and come out the other side. From pandemics to world wars, we've seen some pretty scary stuff, but somehow we've managed to make it through. So, while it's not impossible for society to collapse completely, it’s more likely we’ll see a partial collapse. And, some geographic or geopolitical areas will be harder hit than others.
Second, we live in an age of information. We have access to more data, resources, and “experts” than ever before. With all this knowledge at our fingertips, we're better equipped to prevent and/or manage disasters. Plus, technology provides us with new ways to solve problems and innovate through societal challenges. But, can we really trust technology or the “experts” when our lives are on the line? And will technology be partly to blame for the circumstances?
Third, people are generally pretty good at adapting. We're a resourceful species, and when things get tough, there are a handful of us who are prepared to pull together and find ways to make it work. A partial collapse could be a wake-up call that motivates others to make similar changes and work toward a better future. It’ll also unleash the hoards of misfits who’ve been waiting for the instability and opportunity to loot and cry for “justice.”
Before you go any further: This post may contain a few spoilers from "The Walking Dead" and some affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on qualifying sales.
The broken window theory
That’s where the broken window theory comes in, “you keep the windows intact, you keep society intact.” And as the windows break, society unravels. The broken window theory is a criminological theory that suggests that visible signs of disorder and neglect, such as broken windows, litter, and graffiti, can lead to an increase in crime and anti-social behavior. The theory argues that if a broken window is left unrepaired, people are more likely to assume that no one cares about the area, leading to a further breakdown of social order and an increase in criminal activity.
Of course, a partial collapse is a scary prospect when you look at it from different angles. It could mean a breakdown in law and order, shortages of food and water, and social unrest. Watching things collapse is also an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and build a more resilient society. So, let's hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. And in the meantime, let's focus on living our best lives and preparing in the present — because who knows what the future holds?
And, who better to learn from about surviving collapse than “The Walking Dead” characters?
7 lessons from “The Walking Dead”
If you've ever watched "The Walking Dead," you know that survival in a post-apocalyptic world requires a certain set of skills. Here are some lessons you can learn from the show that can be applied to a real-world collapse.
Lesson #1: Adaptability
A collapse means that life as you know it has changed. You'll need to adapt quickly to a new reality that could include:
Scarcity of resources
Lawlessness
Loss of power
Social unrest
Limited or no communication
Those who learn to adjust to these new conditions and make the most of what they have are most likely to survive. Those who prepare for this ahead of time are “the ones who live,” as survival skills will come more naturally, and their resources will last longer. Adapt to this “new normal” by using what’s around you. Let’s just say that Carol, the seemingly harmless woman in your group, shouldn’t be the only one learning to forage for food.
As with most life lessons, there’s a right way and a wrong way to proceed. When it comes to adaptability, here’s some food for thought.
Right: Learn to live with limited resources, ration your food and water, grow your own food, forage for food and natural medicine, purify water, and find alternative sources of energy. Be prepared to learn new skills such as gardening, sewing, raising animals, and standing guard.
Wrong: Refuse to adjust to your new reality and continue to live the way you did before the collapse. Run out of canned food, set your house on fire because you didn’t learn how to clean the chimney, trust the wrong people, and make other decisions that will likely lead to increased danger and risk — if not death.
Lesson #2: Resourcefulness
Resources may become scarce in a collapse. Learning to use available resources in creative ways and finding alternative solutions can make a difference in survival. So be resourceful, learn to repurpose items, and improvise. Trade seeds, tools, and other goods with neighbors.
In the event of a total collapse and societal chaos that shows no end, raid a museum so you can acquire heirloom seeds and non-motorized transportation. It’s important to note here that we’re not condoning theft or other illegal activities (however, if society as we know it is gone, is it really illegal?).
Right: Repurpose items like cans and jars as storage containers or kitchenware and use solar power to charge electronics. Scavenge for supplies in abandoned buildings and fix useful objects instead of casting them aside. Seek out resources that will teach you how to survive off grid such as books from any number of the libraries or bookstores you might seek shelter in. Better yet, buy some great preparedness books today and begin developing a survival mindset.
Wrong: Waste resources like water or throw away things that could be used for other purposes, such as that fence post that’s begging for a new life as a javelin. Throw your clothes out instead of mending them. Relentlessly scavenge for goods in vacant towns instead of learning to grow and preserve your own food. Wait for someone to bring documents to you that teach those off grid skills.
Lesson #3: Self-defense
In a world where safety is uncertain, knowing how to protect yourself is critical. You may need to learn self-defense skills and become proficient with weapons. Just like in "The Walking Dead," you don't have to be a martial arts expert, but knowing how to fight and defend yourself can make a difference. It’s also essential to establish code words or hand signals to use between friendly groups so you don’t risk an enemy disguising themselves as one of your own, and sneaking into your space during community fairs or trading days.
Right: Learn self-defense techniques like how to throw a punch, block an attack, shoot a gun, or take out an attacker with one swing of a katana. Know when it’s more advantageous to hold your ground and when you should flee.
Wrong: Develop an over-reliance on weapons, which can lead to injury or death, or not learning any self-defense techniques at all — especially once the ammo runs out and you’ve thrown your empty firearm to the ground. Get bored and decide to go kill a bunch of zombies by yourself.
Lesson #4: Cooperation
In any collapse, relationships and cooperation will be more important than ever. Building trust and working together can make a significant difference in a life-or-death situation. So, find people you can trust and work together to increase your chances of survival. Developing a network of like-minded individuals should begin long before any signs of collapse appear on the horizon — or in your Twitter feed.
Right: Build trust and work with others to share resources and ensure everyone's safety. Protect one another from harm and build strong relationships based on mutual respect. Work out trade agreements with other people or communities. Remember, everything you do, do together. As long as it’s all of you, you can do anything.
Wrong: Be a Negan. Refuse to work with others or try to hoard resources for personal gain, which can lead to conflict, violence, and the loss of your favorite baseball bat.
Lesson #5: Strategic thinking
Increase your chances of surviving collapse by planning ahead, considering different scenarios, and making strategic decisions. In any collapse, the rules change, and being able to make sound decisions is vital. But you can’t just sit back and think forever. “Sooner or later you’ve got to make a move.”
Right: Consider multiple scenarios and make contingency plans for each one. Identify weaknesses in your surroundings and make plans for defense. Know where to meet up with loved ones if a catastrophe occurs while you’re separated or your shelter’s compromised.
Wrong: Make impulsive decisions without considering all possible outcomes — or fail to plan ahead. This includes hiding out in a library but not thinking to look for foraging, gardening, or other self-sufficiency books. It’s a library! They have words in there that could save your life.
Lesson #6: Perseverance
A partial collapse can be a long and difficult journey. There will be many obstacles to overcome, and giving up isn’t an option. It’s crucial to stay motivated and keep pushing forward, even when it feels like there’s no hope. Remember, if you plan ahead and push forward, “you are going to beat this world … you are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave.”
Right: Stay motivated and push through difficult situations, even when it seems like there's no end in sight. Work on your faith, find the next source of food, plant a new crop, learn more self defense, or move to a safer location.
Wrong: Give up when faced with obstacles or challenges, a behavior that’s sure to lead to failure and possibly your immortalization as a walking corpse, I mean death.
Lesson #7: Leadership
In a world where chaos reigns, good leadership can make a significant difference. A strong leader can bring people together and make decisions that benefit the group. If you have leadership skills, step up and take charge to help your group survive.
Right: Lead by example and make decisions that benefit the group as a whole — listening to the opinions of others.
Wrong: Be a Governor. Make decisions based solely on personal gain or refuse to listen to the opinions of anyone else in your group. Collect heads in a jar… what else do you collect during the apocalypse?
Surviving collapse starts with preparing today
"The Walking Dead" provides lessons that can be applied to real-life situations — sometimes in a “smart move” kind of way, and other lessons that leave you wondering, “what were they thinking?” In a partial collapse, and a full collapse, the skills we discussed above can increase your chances of survival. By following these lessons and doing a little bit to become more self-sufficient each day, you can be better prepared to face an apocalyptic world.
We’ve adopted a preparedness lifestyle to feel more self-reliant in each moment of every day, and to be prepared for whatever the future brings. We encourage you to continue forward in your journey toward self-reliance.
Read about our unplanned preparedness test in this blog post, Snowed In. And learn more about what it means to have a prepper mindset.
"The Walking Dead" quote attributions:
"You keep the windows intact, you keep society intact," Rick Grimes s7; "The ones who live," Rick Grimes s5; "Sooner or later you've got to make a move," The Governor s4; "You are going to beat this world ... you are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave," Lori Grimes s3.