Which do you think is more important, resourcefullness or preparation. Both, of coarse are important, but is one more helpful?[pollstart]
[polltitle=Whjich is better?]
[polloption=Resourcefulness]
[polloption=Preparation]
[pollstop]
I have to say resourcefulness is more important but preparation is a luxury. But when you dont have/lost you tools, you should be able to improvise. As they say (I), a survivalist should be their own on-star. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

resourcefulness is an attitude first and knowledge second. Certainly knowing that you can build a fire from friction is helpful and practicing that enough to become proficient helps. I think that taking the time to stash some tools in your pockets when you leave the house shows some resourcefullness. I think that leaving the house confident that you shouldn't need to take a butane lighter with you because you know how to make a bow drill with braided bark and willow branches is folly of the most extreme kind. Most tools can be done without and some can be manufactured in the field but there is nothing that will make you firestarting expierence as fast and as simple as a butane filled lighter and some paper. (with the possible exception of a hypergolic flame thrower). OTOH having a butane filled lighter and some paper won't prevent you from setting the forest on fire as one woman did when setting a signal fire in the brush in the mid-west of the US last year. Thus proving that commen sense not a universal trait. The ignorant and the idiot die first in a survival situation and to the extent that you pin your survival on either of the above or qualify in either category yourself you are vulnerable. That having been taken care of the most well supplied will live longest and most comfortably.

Long answer to simple poll - sorry I can't see it simplistically

I believe it was the early camping writer "Nessmuck" who decried "roughing it" and said he wanted to make it easy ( I am paraphrasing past my bedtime <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) Sure, I can build a bowdrill fire to impress the ladies-trouble is, some 11 y/o scout with matches has a warm fire going 20 ' behind my back with said ladies setting him up with younger sisters <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Whatever situation is, as a leading male you have to do it in style. It doesn't matter where you are and what you do but you have to look cool. So you may be roughing it with one wet match in Tundra or just drinking some brewski in front of the fire that you just started with lighter and can of gasoline but you have to look good and sharp. Also little bit of background/theme music would add to your flava (flavor) since every real hero should have one.

Matt

Gee thanx! I'll prepare myself by dawning my black berete and polarized sunglasses <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> And grabbing my Ghetto-blaster and slapping on Ted Nugent! Oooh look at all them babes, outdoor type none the less <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I'll be resourceful by lighting up a fire with my finger, cause im sooooo hot! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />