I don't understand doomsday preppers

These are people who have bunkers or areas in the woods where they think they can survive an apocalypse or some other disaster. I don't see the point. They would struggle and suffer and eventually die anyway.

If an apocalypse happened, I would hope I'd be one of the ones to perish and not have to struggle with the loonies that'll be left.

 

What is wrong with being prepared? In our JIT (just in time) business model every store and gas station you get essentials from are three days from being empty. I keep enough food and fuel to last at least 6 months and if our infrastructure takes a tumble from some sort of disruption be it cyber, military or epidemic I can wait things out. I also have guns and ammo to shoot non preppers like you who try to take my supplies.

 

You say that now, but if the US economy completely collapsed and the "gibs" stopped flowing to certain populations, they're going to be ransacking neighborhoods. I would love to have a cabin somewhere in the mountains, far off the beaten path, where I could go to if the SHTF. Stockpile food, water, guns, ammunition, batteries, gasoline, etc. I'd be in good shape compared to everyone else who would be completely unprepared.

 

If the apocalypse is an economic meltdown, death won't come swift.

 

By definition, the apocalypse isn't survivable, however history has shown that a lot of things can go wrong well short of all life ending on earth.Think of the economic calamities we've witnessed the past century, or the wars.Not to mention the fairly regular natural disasters. If a storm or flood takes away electricity or clean water for a few weeks, you would prefer to die rather than stock up a bit?

 

Everyone says stuff like "they'd rather perish" just like they say if they are dying they want "no heroic measures".

When it becomes reality they want every doctor in the hospital pounding on their chest.


But to be more clear, the number of doomsday preppers more accurately reflects a staggering loss of faith and confidence in the govt. and civil institutions.

If the U.S. federal govt. was seen as particularly competent and had good plans for emergencies then the number of preppers would be drastically lower.

 

depends on what you're preparing for.

if you're preparing for a Zionist/Illuminati/Communist/United Nations/Martian invasion, you need to be detained and put in a mental hospital.

if you're preparing for a flood/hurricane/blackout/wilfire, you're ok.

 

It's a hobby people have been doing forever. We just hear more about it now because of the net and cable TV desperate for content. The whole Mormon religion does it as part of their creed. As far as your comment that people will eventually die, well we all will do that, some sooner, some later. Everyone should have a couple of months of fresh water and food stored at any given time, not to do so is irresponsible IMO.

 

I'm disabled sadly I must depend on the government services, although I have a bug out bag if I must go to a special services hurricane shelter going to a wooden cabin in case of zombie rampage or if the Yellowstone Mega Volcano erupts I'm likely screwed. Its not being irresponsible I have limited funds and limited options and need the circle of humanity to provide for me.

 

Come on Mike. You've been through this drill as much as I have. A couple of days, no problem. A week or two, difficult but if you have a generator and can find gas this side of Georgia, you can make do. But a month? A year? The Pop Tarts have long run out as has the meds. No hospitals, no transportation, no emergency services? There were a lot of good reasons preindustrial humans only lived into their 40s and 60 was reserved for the upper class privileged.

You can have it. I have enough trying to stay comfortable with all the aches and pains of old age and the help of my meds. Arthritis, cancer, failing kidneys, high blood pressure, I've survived because of the miracles of modern medicine and a combative attitude. I don't want to be the last man standing and zero desire for a painful demise.

 

If something bad happens, the folk who have an edge are those who do not have to leave their homes. Say Ebola had taken hold...one cannot get it unless one meets folk with it. Those who do not need to leave home and who can defend said home will be the folk who do not get the disease....

Even worse for things like grid crashes....folk who have no food will be the first to go.

 

Well if something major happened, like another Carrington event, it doesn't sound like you would last a year without our high tech civilization anyway. Does that mean after a month and no help on the way, you would off yourself? People underestimate their will to survive when they are actually facing deaths' door.

 

After a couple of months, likely I wouldn't need to have active participation. But in direct answer to your question, at some point I probably would concider euthanasia. I'm of an age to understand there are many things worse than death. I've already seen too many old friends struggle through dark times before finding longed for relief.

 

Agreed. The whole invasion scenario is pretty far fetched. A lot would have to happen in between for this massive continent to get physically invaded. The invaders would make a huge mistake in militarizing the civilian population (i mean strategically, not firearms wise), and that is if the invaders didn't get repelled right off the bat, because unless they launched a maritime invasion, they would have to be free to march through canada/mexico or invade them as well. The natural disaster is so much more likely.

 

And what if it's a disaster that would last years? You're just delaying the inevitable.

 

Yeah but ultimately, you can always do that. If you are prepared, you can do it on your schedule, rather than when you die of thirst.

 

I watched The Walking Dead and it is kind of true if society falls apart it will bring out the best of humanity (early episode with a gang of men taking care of old people) and the worst like The Governor, but save the Amish few would be ready to survive without modern technology and support. Look at any major natural disaster it is crippling and there is ample government resources and charity to bring to bear if LA had a major earthquake but if one of the super volcanos went off we would have huge issues.

 

You're absolutely right and I agree with you. We are all just delaying the inevitable. We are all going to die. What the f*** are you waiting for?!

 

Now you are just being nasty for no reason.

 

Nobody told me there could be a Zionist/Illuminati/Communist/United Nations/Martian invasion!

I'm going out right now and buying a butt-load of guns and a underground bunker!

 

Well, I can understand having extra food, water, flashlight, etc., for an emergency, but these people think they can survive a catastrophe for maybe years or decades? What if the Yellowstone caldera blows? They'll maybe survive a few months, then what?

 

I think the worst case scenario is a solar flare that wipes out the power grid in the whole U.S. It would take months if not years to recover. No refrigeration, no water pumps, no gas pumps, no communications, it would be bad.

 

Im just playing around. On a serious note I think most preppers do so for emergencies lastly for a few days to around a month or so.

 

Great! One less person to compete with over food and water. Anyone else?

I guess you'd just hop aboard the Nazi cattle cars to the death camps then? I can see you now. Grinning ear to ear with feet dangling from the open door of the train as it shoves off for Auschwitz, chewing on straw and waving good bye to the folks.

 

I saw one that had a bunker with enough air, food, toiletries, etc., to last for three years. If the country could be back to normal after that big of a disaster, I guess it would pay off then.