Wilderness Matters

Goodbye... For Now!

Unfortunately serious healthcare issues in our household are forcing me to cut unnecessary elements of my free time so that I can spend valuable time with those I care about. Hopefully one day soon we will return full swing <3 - @BalefireOutdoors, Joe

F.U.D. Is Dirtier Than Mud

Intro Hello everyone and welcome to episode 10 of Wilderness Matters where we discuss the skills, science, and gear necessary to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly. I’m your host Joe, the creator of Balefire Outdoors on YouTube. Today we are going to talk F.U.D. and why it’s so important to resist it. Announcements The best way to support the show is to leave us a review on places like iTunes and follow us over on YouTube and Instagram at Balefire Outdoors. Links in the show notes. Episode Rundown S1E10 – F.U.D. Is Dirtier Than Mud Written & Directed By Balefire Outdoors Synopsis:Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. Today we talk about why we need to stop supporting doomsayers and think for ourselves. From daily life to protecting the outdoors, it’s just evil. Discussion * What is F.U.D. ? – Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt * The Incentives: Everyone Wants “Secret” Knowledge * Money, Discrediting The Opposition, Influence (Personal & Political), Satisfying The Egomaniac * Protecting Nature From Corporate Monsters Dirty Politics & Social Engineering * Old Wives Tales: A Toxic Inheritance * Break Free From The Matrix * LEAP: Learn, Educate, Advocate, Participate Overall Thoughts F.U.D. is used by politicians, corporations, and conspiracy theorists but also friends and family. Everyone has a bias and those without a moral compass will use dirty tricks to try and control your opinion and view of the world. There’s plenty of it in the outdoors arena. Fight it. Coming Up Next Episode An Experimental Format: Nature News From Around The World? Links Balefire Outdoors Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BalefireOutdoors Balefire Outdoors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balefireoutdoors/

Episode #9: The Catch-22 Of Sharing Our Love For Nature

Today I want to discuss two big problems in the outdoors content creator space. Firstly the fact that by putting a camera or notebook between ourselves we can quickly find that we no longer enjoy being outside and secondly that there are many in the creator space who aren't ACTUALLY outdoorsman and give folks an unrealistic idea of what it takes to get outside. Links * Balefire Outdoors Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BalefireOutdoors * Balefire Outdoors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balefireoutdoors/

Episode #8: Charles Darwin & Survival Of The Cutest

Intro Hello everyone and welcome to episode 8 of Wilderness Matters where we discuss the skills, science, and gear necessary to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly. I’m your host Joe, the creator of Balefire Outdoors on YouTube. Today we are going to talk about the basics behind Darwinian Evolution, Survival Of The Fittest, and how it can help you appreciate the outdoors even more. Announcements * The best way to support the show is to leave us a review on places like iTunes and follow us over on YouTube and Instagram at Balefire Outdoors. Links in the show notes. * Next week is my “micro break” of sorts so there will be no episode but there will be one the following week so keep your eyes open for a new episode notification. Episode Rundown S1E8 –  Darwin & Survival Of The Cutest Written & Directed By Balefire Outdoors Synopsis: Many think they understand what survival of the fittest means but very few do. In fact, Charles Darwin didn’t even coin the phrase, instead it was a peer who had written to him after the initial “Origin Of Species” had been written. By understanding what Darwin actually meant you will look at nature in a more wondrous way and help break controversial if not toxic stereotypes. Discussion * Who was Charles Darwin? Is “The Origin of Species” Worth Reading? * Where did “Survival Of The Fittest” Come From? * Social “Darwinism” & Scientific Racism * What Did Darwin Actually Mean? Cuttlefish Drag & Human Fragility * The Descent Of Man: Love Shack, Baby * Nature Is Full Of Wonder For Those That Can See It! Overall Thoughts Darwin and his use of “survival of the fittest” are extremely misunderstood. The social Darwinist theory is completely inaccurate and has been used to justify great acts of racism and violence. By understanding what Darwin actually meant we can help cut down on misinformation and appreciate nature for what it really is. The product of many millions of years of evolution and comebacks from extinction events. Nature is truly, WILD! Coming Up Next Episode Next Week Is A Break Week Links * Balefire Outdoors Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BalefireOutdoors * Balefire Outdoors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balefireoutdoors/ * Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ * Origin Of Species (First Edition): https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1228/1228-h/1228-h.htm * Origin Of Species (Sixth Edition): https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2009/2009-h/2009-h.htm * Descent Of Man: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2300/2300-h/2300-h.htm * Cuttlefish Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT1-JQTiZGc

Episode #7: Preservation, Conservation, And Modern Environmental Science

Today we will discuss what are often painted as competing ideologies, preservation and conservation. We will also briefly touch on the modern approach of ecosystem function and biodiversity. I was a bit under the weather this week so a hair shorter than normal. Links * Balefire Outdoors Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BalefireOutdoors * Balefire Outdoors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balefireoutdoors/