Robert Kirsch, a professor at Arizona State University and doomsday prepping expert, joins author Dorian Lynskey to delve into the booming business of doomsday preparation. They discuss how prepping has transformed into a stylish lifestyle choice, even for the wealthy. The conversation touches on the psychology behind survival and the collective action needed in crisis situations. Furthermore, they explore the evolution of apocalyptic narratives across literature and media, revealing humanity's deep-rooted fascination with the end of the world.
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insights INSIGHT
Prepping as American Identity
Prepping is an American institution rooted in national identity and self-sufficiency.
It reflects the cultural story of Americans as prepared frontierspeople conquering nature.
insights INSIGHT
The Media's Prepper Stereotype
Prepper stereotypes are shaped by media shows and reality TV.
Extreme prepping may seem marginal but is actually mainstream behavior in different forms.
insights INSIGHT
Doomsday Reality vs. Disaster Response
Real doomsday scenarios like nuclear war remain hypothetical for Americans.
Actual disasters often lead to self-reliance due to inadequate government response.
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H.G. Wells' "The World Set Free" is a science fiction novel exploring the devastating consequences of atomic warfare. Published in 1914, it depicts a future where atomic bombs are used in widespread conflict, leading to widespread destruction and societal collapse. The novel's prescient depiction of atomic weapons and their potential for global devastation is striking. It explores themes of war, technology, and the potential for humanity's self-destruction. The book's impact on public awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons is undeniable, making it a significant work in both science fiction and political commentary.
Y the Last Man
Pia Guerra
Brian K. Vaughan
The series follows Yorick Brown and his monkey Ampersand as they navigate a world where all male mammals have died. Yorick's mother, a U.S. Representative, commissions Agent 355 to protect Yorick as they travel to meet Dr. Allison Mann, a geneticist working to discover why Yorick survived and how to save humanity. The story explores themes of survival, identity, and the future of humanity in a world without men.
Preparing for the end of the world is a multibillion-dollar business. People are stockpiling weapons, buying luxury bunkers, and even building flammable moats...but prepping is also an American tradition.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King.
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