Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Sushan]

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.

All true, but there is another issue you are not mentioning, namely that of peace of mind. Sort of like fire insurance. You don't need to suffer a fire to benefit, you get the knowledge that you're covered even if you never make a claim.

You raise an interesting point about the peace of mind that prepping can provide. Indeed, for some individuals, knowing that they are prepared for various emergencies or disasters can be a source of comfort and security, much like having insurance.

However, it's important to strike a balance between seeking peace of mind and becoming overly consumed by potential catastrophes. If prepping becomes an all-encompassing way of life or generates significant anxiety and stress, it might be worth reassessing one's approach.

One way to achieve this balance could be to focus on practical preparedness measures that can be useful in a variety of situations, rather than concentrating solely on rare, catastrophic events. This may include learning first aid, maintaining a well-stocked emergency kit, and developing a family emergency plan.

By focusing on practical preparedness, individuals can still derive a sense of security without becoming overly preoccupied with unlikely scenarios. Additionally, this approach can foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, as neighbors and friends can collaborate on preparedness efforts and support each other during challenging times

You've got it backwards. Being prepared doesn't cause stress, it is a reaction to stress. I agree it is better to not be stressed (and I generally am not, by nature). But what about the guy who is stress prone? I agree with you that for the already stressed, they should explore the source of their stress and address the most likely source of danger (which is unlikely to be an apocalypse).

You're right in pointing out that preparedness can be a reaction to stress for some individuals, particularly for those who are more prone to anxiety or stress. In such cases, engaging in prepping activities might provide a sense of control and reassurance.

For stress-prone individuals who find comfort in prepping, it's essential to ensure that their preparedness measures are grounded in reality and address the most likely sources of danger or disruption. By focusing on practical and achievable preparedness goals, they can alleviate stress without becoming overly preoccupied with unlikely or extreme scenarios.

It's also important for stress-prone individuals to consider other stress management techniques alongside their prepping efforts. This may include seeking professional help, practicing mindfulness or meditation, engaging in regular exercise, or building a strong social support network.