LOL and they even have a National Geographic special on them

[The Rifleman]

Although the apocalypse might seem like a lot of fun- no boring nine-to-five, no cash economy, camping out, getting to shoot stuff- it would get really old really fast (no movies, no internet, no restaurants, constantly trying to avoid the crazies, etc.). I'm not sure that preppers realize this.

But it some ways, prepping is a rejection of modern society. Any time there is a major social change, like the industrial revolution for example, you will see utopian movements spring up. In U.S. history, the market revolution of the early 1800s led to a wave of groups (Mormons, Shakers, socialist communes) who "coped" with the social and economic changes of their day and age by attempting to completely withdraw from the rest of society. A lot of modern preppers seem to be people who can't handle the changes in modern society and the economy. Listening to preppers, this becomes pretty clear- they don't trust the power grid, they don't trust the government, they don't trust their new neighbors. In extreme cases, it's a behavioral manifestation of paranoia.

Yes, also its quite dangerous. I cut on the arm could lead to infection and death. A bad crop or not being able to store your food could mean starvation for a family and death. People tend to forget that even into the 40s, there were many families that just didn't have enough to eat. There weren't food stamps, food shelves and other things on nearly the same scale there are today.

[weswood]

Is it just me that finds talking about Doomsday Preppers on a forum for a game that ends of the world as we know it ironic

[headquarters]

Ironi

Is it just me that finds talking about Doomsday Preppers on a forum for a game that ends of the world as we know it ironic

If the shtf and there where no more electrical aplpliances etc would pen and paper games make a comeback And would t2 k be played A game about teotwawki during the shtf

Hmmm

[Targan]

If the shtf and there where no more electrical aplpliances etc would pen and paper games make a comeback And would t2 k be played A game about teotwawki during the shtf

Hmmm

I guess they'd play RPGs where their characters are normal people living in houses with climate control and working appliances

GM: "Your characters meet in a bar. It has electric lighting, recorded music being played through speakers and most of the customers seem clean and parasite free."

Player 1: "Cool. Do they have cold beer on tap I'll order one of those. I remember what that was like."

Player 2: "I'll sit on a bar stool, lean on the bar with my elbow and talk about how tough my day at the office was."

LOL. Suspension of disbelief.

[Raellus]

I guess they'd play RPGs where their characters are normal people living in houses with climate control and working appliances

GM: "Your characters meet in a bar. It has electric lighting, recorded music being played through speakers and most of the customers seem clean and parasite free."

Player 1: "Cool. Do they have cold beer on tap I'll order one of those. I remember what that was like."

Player 2: "I'll sit on a bar stool, lean on the bar with my elbow and talk about how tough my day at the office was."

LOL. Suspension of disbelief.

LOL. Truth.

[HorseSoldier]

Although the apocalypse might seem like a lot of fun- no boring nine-to-five, no cash economy, camping out, getting to shoot stuff- it would get really old really fast (no movies, no internet, no restaurants, constantly trying to avoid the crazies, etc.). I'm not sure that preppers realize this.

Boring and depressing to the extent that there would probably be a very significant spike in suicides, even among people who were having their caloric needs met. Going from comfortable living and ample leisure activities in the developed world to the stress of living precariously as a reinvented medieval peasant or hunter-gatherer or whatever is just going to be too much for some people to deal with.

[TrailerParkJawa]

I went on a mini vacation to Mono Lake this weekend. While sitting in the hotel I got to catch a few episodes of the show. Watching was interested because there are interesting tidbits you can pick up an apply in your own life. But most of these folks seem paranoid and I do consider myself a prepper. I just prep for earthquakes and social unrest as best I can in a urban environment

One thing I did hear is that the show makes the prepper identify one reason. Tha sorta makes them look more paranoid then they may really be.

[Snake Eyes]

I'm prepping for the eventual heat death of the universe.

[mikeo80]

Ya'll are all nuts. Econmic collapse Seccession Civil unrest and anarchy Better happen in a hurry, Dec 21st is just over a month away and we're all going to die anyway and the dinosaurs will come back.

Maybe, just maybe weswood has something here

Hostess Baking is going into bankruptcy.

This means NO MORE TWINKEES!!!

Can TEOTWAWKI be real Is this what the Mayans saw at the end of their great cycle Can civilization survive with out Twinkees

I am surfing my way over to E-Bay to buy up those $5.00 a PIECE twinkees!!!

My $0.02

Mike

[Targan]

I've never eaten a Twinkie but I've known what they are since I was a kid because they had advertisements for them in American comic books

[weswood]

I've never eaten a Twinkie but I've known what they are since I was a kid because they had advertisements for them in American comic books

I'm sorry for your loss.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Here's a question...

I remember reading the online book "Surviving a Nuclear War" and one of the prep things it said was to not only make ready for yourself and your family, but for one neighbor as well.

Clearly we're not in any immediate threat of a massive, 2500-missiles-over-the-Pole type exchange (I pray...) but as we've discussed, some of us have your Katrina or Sandy level event prepping down or ongoing - anyone here doing the "...and a little for the neighbor, too" thing

[mikeo80]

Here's a question...

I remember reading the online book "Surviving a Nuclear War" and one of the prep things it said was to not only make ready for yourself and your family, but for one neighbor as well.

Clearly we're not in any immediate threat of a massive, 2500-missiles-over-the-Pole type exchange (I pray...) but as we've discussed, some of us have your Katrina or Sandy level event prepping down or ongoing - anyone here doing the "...and a little for the neighbor, too" thing

I have not. Which neighbor do I choose The single hardworking mom with two kids The married couple where the man is in the USAF and the woman works at the local hospital as a respitory therapist Etc.....

How do I tell one "Here is food and water" and the other "Sorry, all gone"

I am afraid that my altruistic side would shrivel and DIE if SHTF. In all probabilty, I would do a "duck and cover" and wait....

It was Heinlein in his Starship Troopers that had Juan Rico state the following observation during his tour in O.C.S. Rico was reflecting on the H&MP course he was taking during OCS. "Man is what he is, a wild animal with the will to survive, and (so far) the ability, against all competition."

Pretty graphic. And I fear, all too accurate.

TO conclude my rambling on this subject. I like to think of myself as a moral being. However, if push comes to shove, the animal that lives inside will emerge.

My $0.02

Mike

[The Rifleman]

Here's a question...

I remember reading the online book "Surviving a Nuclear War" and one of the prep things it said was to not only make ready for yourself and your family, but for one neighbor as well.

Clearly we're not in any immediate threat of a massive, 2500-missiles-over-the-Pole type exchange (I pray...) but as we've discussed, some of us have your Katrina or Sandy level event prepping down or ongoing - anyone here doing the "...and a little for the neighbor, too" thing

I am. You never know who's going to show up and I just might not have the heart to turn them away. Not only that, I came to the conclusion that I cannot defend my home, fruit trees, well and garden from attack on multiple sides without at least 9 shooters. Also, you've got to think about occasional night patrols and ambushes as well as 24 hour security. I have 7 adult "family" and I'm planning for 1 friend and his gf/wife.

[HorseSoldier]

Clearly we're not in any immediate threat of a massive, 2500-missiles-over-the-Pole type exchange (I pray...) but as we've discussed, some of us have your Katrina or Sandy level event prepping down or ongoing - anyone here doing the "...and a little for the neighbor, too" thing

In places where there is a coherent sense of community and people know their neighbors this will tend to happen anyway. I think these days, though, that most neighborhoods are not especially coherent communities, with modern technology meaning we tend to socialize primarily with people that we share interests with, rather than those we share geography with.