NeilWallace wrote: ↑March 11th, 2022, 10:18 pm
Sushan wrote: ↑October 3rd, 2021, 7:04 am
What do you think? Is it good to be a prepper or not?
Having a few cupboards somewhere full of tinned food is probably not a bad idea.
However, the prepper tends to make prepping a mode of life and there is a degree of paranoia to the enterprise - the odds of a catastrophe are alot lower than they assume.
This is because the nature of the catastrophe has to
fall within certain parameters.
Modern economies are built to withstand severe shock and can continue to function in a civilised manner even if there is rationing, war, covid, etc.
In severe war zones - there is often external help within days Red Cross etc which makes prepping pointless. The individual has other options - go to a place where the crisis is not happening for example.
Hence the disaster has to be extremely bad, global for prepping to make sense.
However, prepping is pointless if the disaster is too catastrophic, A severe nuclear war, mile long asteroid strike etc, some form of incurable virus etc. because civilisation is now in a irretrevable situation and whether you have some tins, and can make a fire from branches is probably going to be irrelevent.
Hence prepping has to fall with in an event that is extremely bad, worse than a severe war, but not as bad as an asteroid strike.
Such events, and I am struggling to picture one - are presumably very unlikely.
But as a hobby and self conceited I don't need the government because I can trap a squirrel approach it is probably as harmless as plenty other occupations.
You've made some interesting points about the potential benefits and drawbacks of prepping. It seems that the key to approaching this issue lies in finding a balance between being prepared and being overly paranoid.
One could argue that having a basic level of preparedness for emergencies is prudent, such as having a first-aid kit, a few days' worth of non-perishable food, and some water on hand. This level of preparedness could be helpful in a variety of situations, from natural disasters to temporary disruptions in the supply chain.
On the other hand, devoting excessive time, energy, and resources to prepping for highly unlikely catastrophic scenarios may not be the best use of one's resources. Instead, focusing on building community resilience, fostering social connections, and developing skills that could be useful in a range of situations might be a more constructive approach.
In essence, while it is important to be reasonably prepared for emergencies, obsessing over highly unlikely catastrophic events might be counterproductive. A balanced approach that combines preparedness with a focus on community and personal growth could be a more effective strategy in navigating the uncertainties of life. This way, individuals can feel secure without falling into the trap of paranoia, and they can contribute to the overall well-being of their communities.