Tech entrepreneur Julie Fredrickson explains her journey into prepping post-hurricane Sandy. Serial entrepreneur John Ramey discusses the failure of institutions driving more people into prepping. Social geographer Bradley Garratt highlights the global presence of preppers.
Prepping has transitioned from fringe to mainstream with a surge in interest, especially in the tech industry.
Growing number of preppers seek self-sufficiency due to distrust in government institutions and a desire for control.
Deep dives
Mainstream Acceptance of Prepping
Prepping, once considered fringe, has now become mainstream with a growing number of people, especially in the tech industry, embracing it. The COVID-19 pandemic has further fueled interest in preparedness, leading to a significant increase in prepping activities.
Diverse Prepper Demographics and Industry Growth
Preppers come from diverse backgrounds and age groups, with a shift away from traditional stereotypes. The prepping industry has seen significant growth, with estimates suggesting that millions of people in the US are actively prepping for various scenarios, from natural disasters to social unrest.
Motivations Behind Prepping and Critiques of Government Preparedness
Prepping is driven by factors such as distrust in government preparedness and a desire for self-sufficiency. Many preppers view it as a way to take control where institutions fall short, especially in light of recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a growing sentiment that prepping reflects a return to basic life skills and preparedness that were once commonplace.
How prepping or survivalism has gone mainstream, with Silicon Valley leading the way. Tech entrepreneur Julie Fredrickson tells Manuela Saragosa how she became a prepper after the electricity went out for days in New York after hurricane Sandy hit back in 2012. She also speaks to serial entrepreneur John Ramey, founder of an online community called The Prepared who told her it's the failure of our institutions that has led so many more people to become preppers. And to Bradley Garratt, a social geographer based at University College Dublin in Ireland. He’s just published a book about prepping called Bunker: Building for the end of times. He told her that preppers are everywhere from the US to Germany to Thailand.
(Picture: Emergency preparation, natural disaster supplies. Picture credit: Getty Images)
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