Monday, November 9, 2009

The Old Saw about the camper and the bear and its relationship to blogger types.



There once was a pack of scouts camping in the wilderness overnight.  As they were cooking dinner, a ferocious grizzly bear came into the clearing and started towards the scouts.  


One of the scouts took off running, as he was running, the scoutmaster shouted at him, "don't be a fool, you can't outrun a grizzly bear!"


The scout yelled over his shoulder as he continued running.


"I don't have to outrun the grizzly, I just have to outrun you!"

In a way, a lot of the bloggers who are writing about the degringolade that we are facing are in the same position.  But think about the fable more deeply.  What would have been funny or useful about the parable if there had been no response from the smart camper.  None of the rest of the scouts would have heard the response.  None of the scouts who would have not already figured out running would have lit out. 

When you blog, try to keep the other campers in sight.  Try to yell encourgement and useful observations as you prep like hell.  Don't worry, the stupid ones (read here McMansion Owners) and the scoutmaster (TPTB) will get what they deserve.  Your job is to help those who just froze up for a second to get up and started.

2 comments:

HermitJim said...

Entertaining way to make your point! Nicely done, my friend!

Mayberry said...

Well I try my best to "open eyes", because let's face it, the preppin' tips have pretty much been covered! Though I still post what meager preps I manage as inspiration...