The popular notion, based on the TV show “Doomsday Preppers” is of strange folks who imagine some catastrophic event where they will suddenly be cut off from all normal resources like food, power, medical services and the numerous other goods and services we depend upon in daily life. They and their families have to survive based their stockpiles, their skills and a lot of luck.
Just how realistic is this? What could happen that is not only possible but even probable? You don’t have to be a wild-eyed anarchist to imagine a major natural disaster such as a large earthquake and tsunami taking out a large part of the west coast, or a volcanic eruption of Mt. Rainier, where normal distribution centers are disrupted and portions of the power grid go down. It might not affect Virginia but large parts of the west would be impacted.
Of even more concern is economic collapse. Once again this is not the stuff of conspiracy theorists. The economy is so fragile that something like the above mentioned disasters might have a ripple effect and bring down the economy. The economic policies of this administration along with the potential effects of Obamacare may also be enough to cause serious economic turmoil.
The real “preppers” are ordinary folks who go about their daily lives with an awareness that they need to realistically prepare for uncertain times. Unfortunately many of these people have good intentions but lack the knowledge, skills and training to know how to prepare. They often stockpile “stuff” but might be hard pressed to properly use and manage these limited resources.
Perhaps the most frightening prospect of all is widespread lawlessness. If disruptions become serious enough over a long enough period of time people will begin to look for whatever they can to survive. That may mean taking it at the point of a gun. Hard to imagine in this country, isn’t it?
One of my sayings is “Got Stuff? Know how to use it?” And that is a topic for another time.