Is Amateur radio related to the "Prepper" Movement?

[KK4AMI]

My wife and I were watching the Today Show this morning. They did a show on the American Prepper Movement. Apparently it is a large group of people (over 3 million families) that believes in preparing for the end of the world as we know it.

Definition of a prepper:
Prepper (noun): An individual or group that prepares or makes preparations in advance of, or prior to, any change in normal circumstances or lifestyle without significant reliance on other persons (i.e., being self-reliant), or without substantial assistance from outside resources (govt., etc.) in order to minimize the effects of that change on their current lifestyle.

They build shelters, stock a year supply of food, turn their pools into stocked fish ponds and yes they wear gas masks

I laughed at that, but my wife asked "What are you laughing at?" "You have a Radio and Generator to practice for emergencies, a radio in your truck and we keep a chest freezer with about three months of food. "

[n2ize]

How can anyone prepare for the end of the world ?

[N8YX]

Jump Teams are standing by. Please monitor 14275Khz for details.

[KC2UGV]

I don't prep for the end of the world. I just am prepared. Knowledge is a bigger asset to have than material goods.

Example:

I locate close to running water. This way, I have a water supply.
I am familiar with the animals and fora of my area. This allows me to do "hunter gatherer" style living, should I have to.
I know how to make rudimentary weapons. This enables me to defend myself and home, as well as to hunt.

We have survived with nothing but spears and animal skins. Everything else is extra.

---EDIT---

I also know the key strategy in survival in a collapse of known civilization: As quickly as possible, get away from other people, and pick up stragglers along the way to build your new tribe. There is strength in numbers.

[KK4AMI]

How can anyone prepare for the end of the world ?

Read the whole thing "end of the world as we know it!" Economic collapse, natural disaster, collapse of government or war. I hear an asteroid is coming danger close around 2040. Not worried about that one however. I'm more interested in how close I can get to 2040.

[KK4AMI]

I don't prep for the end of the world. I just am prepared. Knowledge is a bigger asset to have than material goods.

Example:

I locate close to running water. This way, I have a water supply.
I am familiar with the animals and fora of my area. This allows me to do "hunter gatherer" style living, should I have to.
I know how to make rudimentary weapons. This enables me to defend myself and home, as well as to hunt.

We have survived with nothing but spears and animal skins. Everything else is extra.

---EDIT---

I also know the key strategy in survival in a collapse of known civilization: As quickly as possible, get away from other people, and pick up stragglers along the way to build your new tribe. There is strength in numbers.

Thanks, I think you just made my wife's point.

[W3WN]

My wife and I were watching the Today Show this morning. They did a show on the American Prepper Movement. Apparently it is a large group of people (over 3 million families) that believes in preparing for the end of the world as we know it.

Definition of a prepper:
Prepper (noun): An individual or group that prepares or makes preparations in advance of, or prior to, any change in normal circumstances or lifestyle without significant reliance on other persons (i.e., being self-reliant), or without substantial assistance from outside resources (govt., etc.) in order to minimize the effects of that change on their current lifestyle.

They build shelters, stock a year supply of food, turn their pools into stocked fish ponds and yes they wear gas masks

I laughed at that, but my wife asked "What are you laughing at?" "You have a Radio and Generator to practice for emergencies, a radio in your truck and we keep a chest freezer with about three months of food. "

The Prepper movement is preparing for a specific civilization-ending event, one that will be so massive and destructive as to be something akin to the biblical Armaggedon.

Amateur radio operators, for the most part, prepare for disasters on a much smaller scale... loss of power or communications for a few days, for the most part.

The similiarity begins with both groups being prepared for disasters. But it stops when you start realizing the differences in the order of magnitude of the disasters being prepared for.

[KC2UGV]

Thanks, I think you just made my wife's point.

Except, I don't do the whole "stocking up" thing. I stock up on knowledge, including situation awareness.

[KK4AMI]

Except, I don't do the whole "stocking up" thing. I stock up on knowledge, including situation awareness.

I guess its good to plan, just remember the population is over 300 million now. That might make for a little competition while out there hunting and gathering.

[KK4AMI]

Looking at my Redneck Thesaurus I think there are subtle differences between a Survivalist and a Prepper. A survivalist has plenty of guns, camping gear and a 4 Wheel Drive. He takes off into the Boonies and camps. The Prepper is outfitted to stay put and survive independently from Society on his own land. He Stores, farms and raises chickens and pigs. Its more like he is preparing for the collapse of Society. You should see some of the Underground shelters they sell. About $50,000 for an 8 foot culvert pipe converted into an underground home. Hmm, with all these tornadoes, I would like to have a basement.