@jonpmonroe
Dave, This was the best writing you've done. So authentic and hits home with what the average human feels is missing in the modern life. All of the video you put behind it adds legitimacy to your words. True American Icon.
@keiferalford7961
Dave.. I absolutely love your videos. I'm a 55 yld combat vet who has had to rebuild my life from scratch once before (Hurricane Michael 2018) and now, unfortunately.. I'm looking to have to do it again. It looks as though I'm going to have to start with little to no resources (I'm not a victim or crying as one) . I'm a tough cookie and your videos have inspired me to go off grid as much as possible and be as self-sufficient doing it as I am able. A quiet little place away from the hustle of people where I can find my quiet inner peace... Get my "Wassah" back as my girl likes to say. I was raised rural and dirt poor and I'm happy with simple things. Your videos have really given me the insight and even though I used to frame houses as a teen, the missing knowledge that has built enough confidence in myself to really give it my all and go for it. Thank you, my friend. I wish you all the best going forward, and please... keep the vids coming.
@caesarspeak9030
Dave I've been watching your videos for years and my wife, son and myself decided to go for it. We ran our own business and owned our own house and sold it all. We bought 47 acre's of raw land and have been off-grid for just over a year. It's been the happiest time of our lives. The time I have with my wife and son are the best memories I could have ever asked for. I have a small you tube channel and it's more of a scrap book for us to be able to look back on. Thanks for all of the inspiration from your videos.
@YouareCalledtoGrow
Man this guy has it figured out. This is one of the most inspiring videos i've watched in a long long time.
@timfarry7071
Instead of an outhouse, consider doing a composting toilet. A simple 5 gallon pail with a hinged lid with a normal toilet seat on it works well. If you line it with a composting bag it makes dumping much easier, and you just use sawdust on top of each load. A hole in the bucket with a funnel and hose attached to drain urine will keep the mixture dry and odor-free. You can drain the urine into a small pit with stones and sand, maybe a little peat moss. I have a shower in the same building and the water just drains through the deck cracks and waters down the urine. When the bucket is full you dump it into a big black composting bin. I have never been able to get the bin even half full, it composts down to nothing each year. No flies, no stink, not that difficult, and no digging!
@pianoatthirty
One last thing, this is such a beautiful, natural reaction to the looming “You’ll Own Nothing And Be Happy”. Thank you Dave, seriously.
@greatmoose17
To all the young adults out there who watched this video, I know you listen to Dave’s advice. He’s years ahead of his time, and so aware of these times. To Dave, great video and channel, all the best to you and yours!
@matthewshannongreen1900
This is not the first time we’re commenting on one of your videos and won’t be the last. You do not realize how much of an inspiration you are to so many people. We built a small bedroom addition on to our little one room cabin all bc YOU made us feel like it was possible. We originally started by basically just doing everything you did and I made an exact list based on watching your video like 200 times. While doing it, things arose that the video may not have answered specifically but we had the confidence thanks to you, to figure it out. Now we have built several other things and building is my husband’s new obsession. You are our encyclopedia. And I can’t tell you how many times in conversation that you and your channel have come up bc you have inspired so many others too. I wish we would have had the guts and knowledge to do these things when we were younger like y’all did but the important thing is we finally figured it out. We also very much enjoy Brooke’s channel too. My husband says I’m like she is …determined, strong and smart. That’s a huge compliment bc she is the perfect counterpart to you and we just think so highly about both of you. We just can’t really express how much y’all have enriched our lives for the better. You guys are an absolute God send.
@pamflowers8364
Like Brooke, I had no opportunity to learn how to build, so I just started and learned as I went. First built a 12x16 cabin and then a 20 x 40 house. I learned that carpentry is nothing more than applied logic. If you make a mistake, tear it apart, do it again. It's rewarding, much cheaper than hiring someone, and no one will be as careful or accurate as you when it's for you. An unexpected bonus, you get stronger as you build. I am five feet tall, 105 pounds. Never let anyone tell you that you can't.
@tinahenschen6916
You and Brooke have given me the courage to try my hand at a simpler life... a small cabin I build myself, and simple solar panels I wire myself. A wood stove and a composting toilet (sorry, no outhouse for me ;) and a hand driven well. I'm 60 years old, but what I've learned from you two, I think (maybe with a little help) I can do it. I'm certainly going to try. So thank you for that.
@sharonpeterson896
I'm 75 and disabled but for some reason Dave and Brooke's channels do something for me. Seems to satisfy that need to be out in the woods, to cook.on the open fire, to bring up the good memories of the peace from being in the forest. Thank you.
@andrewgutierrez4841
As a young person (22), you have absolutely spoken to the dread & anxiety we have. I'll be visiting my dad soon, to help him finish a house he's working on, & I plan on learning as much about carpentry as I can when I do. And, as someone from Texas, we do worry about snakes. Scorpions, too. At least we don't have to deal with grizzly bears!
@timlecount8690
23:00 Amen, brother. Main reason I live in Alaska. Loved being able to build my own house, with my own hands, on my own property with my own money without the gov't telling me every little thing. And the thing is, since all those things were mine, I did my very best work! Self-interest is a strong motivator:) Thanks for the videos and for answering questions, even if some of them get repetitive:)
@Thephoenixrebirth84
This is the best director's comentary ever. Sheds so much light into the why this lifestyle is so relevant nowadays
@sharonkatope9885
I recall my first 'building' - a group of us kids found some scrap lumber, plywood and tarp. We built a club house that was put together with no plans, an old hammer and nails and a vague idea. This video brings back memories of doing things without fear of mistakes or what somebody else thought. I don't recall any of us wondering if we could do it. Our parents did not stop us. We enjoyed our little club for that summer. What I learned that summer has never left me.
@cephasmcpher67peteroutdoorspip
Great video Dave. I also think that the " American Dream" is taking a shift to a simpler way of life. I think people are just getting too overwhelmed with being constantly bombarded with information and technology and I feel we all just need to step back and rethink about what's important . God bless and keep up the great work, tell Brooke hi!
@jacquelynhill1598
Someone I loved and respected once told me: “The simple life is the easy (best) life.” I wish I could go back in time and tell them how right they were! Great video/great philosophy. Thanks to you and Brooke. You’ve cleared a path.
@debbiesramek7316
This may be my most favorite YouTube video ever! I lived in Alaska for 30 years. I’m retired, back home in TN on our 70 acre farm. So many of us just want a simpler, peaceful life. You captured that perfectly in this video! You and Brooke are both amazing people!!
@SPDsalem
Your videos have changed my view of what’s possible for me, a single woman in her 40’s. I recently found an abandoned property with no livable buildings. I never would have considered it before. But now I’ve gone for it and im so excited to start this next adventure. I can’t thank you enough. Just wanted you to know your message is being heard. 👍🏻👍🏻
@violetpurple6191