Is Prepping a logical thing to do or are Preppers paranoid conspiracy theorists?

I learned a long time ago, be prepared. Nothing wrong with preparing for natural disasters that are bound to happen. Families don't survive on only hope.

Why is "prepping" a word? Preparing for natural disasters common in your area is smart. Preparing for "Red Dawn" is a silly waste of your resources, but if that's your hobby... rock on with it.

Prepping is only as good as the prepper. Depends on the threats in their area, their overall plan, and their abilities. The media/TV gives a bad image...especially with those TV shows on prepping....

For instance (no offense if that is your stash)....I have no idea what is going on in the thread picture.....and I'm not sure if he/she thought out what they really need....though I don't know the whole picture/their plan....but a Klingon battle knife?...really?

Some call it "prepping," others call it "laying up supplies for a rainy day." Our ancestors did it back before we had grocery stores and pizza delivery. People around the world still do it because it is necessary for where they live.

We may have plenty in our nation, but IMHO, our plenty has made us complacent and lazy.

I prep for natural disasters - living through typhoons, hurricanes, massive snow storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions you need to be prepared. To the extent is up to you. I usually have about 2 weeks supply of food, water, fuel, first aid etc.

Whether one makes preparation a obsession or not becomes a mute issue once TSHTF.... At which time survival WILL become everyone's obsession. The degree of success at that time will be dependent on ones level of preparation. Being a LRS Veteran I've had numerous episodes of survival training, and one thing is clear. Surviving becomes a full time job if starting from scratch.

I was always taught to "Be Prepared". The BSA motto has been and always will be, I think, something that me and my family will live by. There are too many reasons to enumerate that justify preparing "every needful thing". Even if it's having extra food and cash on hand to cope with the unexpected loss of a job. There is no sense on relying on somebody else when you have the capacity and capability to provide for yourself and your own by putting away 20$ here and there and 5 cans of food here and there. Why not be prepared? It only would bring peace of mind knowing that you can handle much of what threatens survival.

I think instances such as the looting during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have demonstrated how quickly society breaks down. I think having a basic plan for extreme circumstances is a logical action. I have enough ammunition, supplies, and survival knowledge that my family won't starve if something terrible happens. I would rather not rely on the government for aid in any circumstances.

Remember, preppers are only crazy if nothing happens! I think the key is to establish a community and diversify your preparations. Form alliances with like-minded folks both close and not so close by so if the SHTF, one has multiple options to keep his/her family alive.

I'm not a prepper at all, but I voted for the two-week option. I see the benefit of prepping, but I'm just not motivated to do it at this point in my life (which makes me want to vote "no need to worry"). Still, I applaud the folks who are prepared.