I quite like a bit of outdoorsy activity...
In the last few years i've got more into spending time in nature. As you'll see from previous posts i'm partial to a wild camp or fire in the woods. This has inspired me to get into bushcraft and explore this more. Being in nature more has had a profound impact on my mental health, I feel blooming marvellous most of the time. Yes during the shit times my mood drops but a bare foot walk or a fire in the woods does wonders to lift the mood. I am investing in books and building my knowledge much to the entertainment of my friend and work colleagues, who find my out of the social norm activities rather amusing at times. On a serious note though my knowledge is developing but I've found it hard.
You might think to get involved in bushcraft outdoors groups would be easy, but no! It appears to me there is a massive gap here; where there are groups and courses, you pay a fortune to attend. I have been looking for any kind of group or people interest in meeting up it seems its a taboo subject somehow. When I say i'm into the outdoors way of life I just described as a hippy, now I don't mind this label; what concerns me is other people fear it.
It's concerning ...
What has happened to society where connecting with the natural environment around us is considered odd ?
Some people I talk too act like its like snorting a line saying "I might do it one day, i'm not sure". Its almost like they are want to but are afraid. You and me both know this is more than likely the media influence and social conformity we are all susceptible too. In my work I often talk to my patients about about breaking cycles and changing the way they live. Every human on this earth would benefit from adding nature into their daily routine. People who do love it and thrive, even those who don't are often in awe of the beauty around us. So why is it not more popular?
A missive factor, well here in England is stress and people suffering burnout. Long ago people lost faith but they still have this overruling idea that they can't change anything because the government is in control and we voted then in and must conform one hundred percent. We all know the story, but I digress yet again.
In my view I think the more people that connect with nature the more open they become and more independent. If you want to control people you dont want them free and independent now do you. Hence the taboo and actions to ensure this movement does not increase. I have found some outlets and sources that I am building on to change the way I live and interact with the world around me.
For Our Protection...
The point of this post stems form an article I read in a new magazine subscription I recently received for my birthday. Its call Bushcraft Magazine. This article basically talks about the governments new proposal to conquer the apparent increase in knife crime in the UK The Offensive Weapons Bill'. Their proposal is to put more control in for the sales of knives. So basically they want to ban the sales of knives over the internet to residential addresses. As I have pointed out the Bushcraft industry is not the biggest in the UK you can imagine there are not many shops that sell bushcraft knives on the high street; so the internet is the main source for many. Instead now they will have to be send to a business or collection point. Now yes yes this does not seem a big comprise for the average statist but just consider this for a second! What effect will this have on knife crime? Nothing I sure a person who wants a knife to stab someone does not go online and get it delivered to their house. More than likely they head to the local supermarket and get a kitchen knife not a bushcraft or specialist knife for about twenty plus quid! On top of this the government are saying these collection points or business will have to be age verified by the delivery company. Being over 18 doesn't mean you can buy a knife and guarantee you wont' stab someone! On top of this no delivery company in the UK provide a service where they can verify age. This therefore has two outcomes; either they just won't deliver the knives or they will put such a hight delivery charge on them it just won't be worth it. Government job done stopped the use of knives for legit people and without even making them illegal! Leaving the people who commit the crime still having access to the favoured kitchen knife from the supermarket.
This is just a prime example of how they control us without the average Joe realising. Knifes today what next do they add into the Offensive Weapons Bill? Axes, Spanners, Drills, Hammers then suddenly we can't build or fend for ourselves or create a free world without having to break their phoney laws which most people won't do. Boom they have controlled and now outdoor or survival activities and DIY.
People need to wake to this and what is really happening under this disguise to protect us from knife crime. I'm not a massive fan of petitions but there are a couple running if you'd like to sign them:
Reconsider the Offensive Weapons Bill for fencers and hobbyists.
Remove article 15 of the Offensive Weapons Bill (HC Bill 232)