National Risk Register/National Resilience Update - Nothing new to us.

[HorseGuy]

Sadly , I think the preppy types that do yearn for a total collapse ( and I do think they are a minority ) see it as a life restart , ie unhappy with the mundane nature of their real world life and want a scenario where they can have a " I told you so " moment and magically / fantastically become their very own imaginary hero as no doubt the apocalyptic fiction they consume idolises.

There are occasional times when I get so sick of modern politics, corruption, manipulation, lies, and all of the other crazy stuff which became so obvious about 6 years ago that I sometimes wish for a total collapse just to make the BS end.

However (and this is a really huge 'however') the logical part of my brain which is sensible understands just how hard life would be if there was a total collapse and therefore I most certainly do not want that to happen in reality. But I can still understand why people sometimes can say/feel like they want it due to emotional exasperation with modern day life.

Personally, I value clean running water, plentiful food, cheap easy energy and the relative safety that a functioning society provides to really want anything which is too different from what we already have now.

 

[TeeDee]

Im not surprised Nihilism can be somewhat of a contributor to those wishing for a change if change by own decision seems undoable.

Lots of pressure on people currently in western society.

 

[HorseGuy]

I would guess that there are more people who fall into that category wanting a collapse than there are the people who fantasize about being be some kind of heroic apocalypse Rambo because of their egos. Maybe the two things aren't mutually exclusive though and some people fall into both camps to some degree or other?

 

[Pattree]

When did you last see the sewage arrangements in a film about the apocalypse?

Even ablutions?

How often did our hero need a dentist (or a specialist in treating concussion.)

How many such films cover the practicalities of child birth or child rearing?

How are mental issues covered (other than the more extreme protagonists . )

As might e apparent I have not seen much other that two of the Max Max films.
How is education shown.

I’m guessing that films about a fictional apocalypse are as influential for some types of pepper as the Terry Pratchet stories are for some toes of spiritual groups.

 

[Sooty22]

When did you last see the sewage arrangements in a film about the apocalypse?

Even ablutions?

How often did our hero need a dentist (or a specialist in treating concussion.)

How many such films cover the practicalities of child birth or child rearing?

How are mental issues covered (other than the more extreme protagonists . )

As might e apparent I have not seen much other that two of the Max Max films.
How is education shown.

I’m guessing that films about a fictional apocalypse are as influential for some types of pepper as the Terry Pratchet stories are for some toes of spiritual groups.

I can speak of personal experience here; I have the capability and used it during 2020 and 2021 to go live in a log cabin in the woods -my woods. Not because I was expecting zombies, but because I loved it and thought it would be much nicer (and it was) than spending a couple of miserable years in a town flat.

Back then, I was single. Now I have two kids and my wife, and I am absolutely horrified at all that you mention, if something went wrong. We are pretty healthy, but all it takes is a minor lapse of attention and you are in need of something that won't be around. So, our 'plan' now is to stay where we are -the butt end of a deep glen- and rely on our network of friends and neighbours to keep the community going as best as possible; we offer something, and so does everyone else, and pretty much everyone in the area is 'prepped' simply because powercuts and being cut off here are bread and butter situations every winter.

In a town though... it would likely be carnage after a few days -if the lights really went out. That's my main fear; the lights going out in this country, which relies on power and comms for absolutely everything. We would be absolutely fine, wouldn't bat an eyelid at home, and the same goes for most of our neighbours within miles, but town and cities would be tricky places. So we just decided we will live rural and create that powerful network of mutual reliance.

The government should stress that, instead of trying to polarise and make everyone hate everyone -which is exactly what successive governments have been doing for decades. Other than that, the 72 hours is all they are interested in, as that's how long their paymasters think they need to head to their islands...

 

[slaine_23]

When did you last see the sewage arrangements in a film about the apocalypse?

Even ablutions?

How often did our hero need a dentist (or a specialist in treating concussion.)

How many such films cover the practicalities of child birth or child rearing?

How are mental issues covered (other than the more extreme protagonists . )

As might e apparent I have not seen much other that two of the Max Max films.
How is education shown.

I’m guessing that films about a fictional apocalypse are as influential for some types of pepper as the Terry Pratchet stories are for some toes of spiritual groups.

Two films spring to mind - Threads and The Road - neither are the more chirpy visions of a post apocalypse like mad max or even the walking dead or z nation.

 

[Broch]

Anyway, I have blind faith in the philosophy of Discworld, long live the Great A'Tuin

 

[Chris]

The turtle moves.

 

[Pattree]

As long as your staff has a knob on the end.

Pratchet doesn’t specify which end but the dried frog pills are a clue.

 

[Everything Mac]

What I do see on some forums however a massive amount of very concerned new to prepping mothers and suburban family units really rather concerned about the near future.

This.

I have had this topic at the back of my mind for a while but when my wife discovered the preparedness advice she was behind it very quickly. (as I've mentioned before we have two little ones now)

Personal hygiene and Discworld philosophy aside the prepper "scene" has quite a lot of recurring themes as far as I can see.

Practical advice aside which seems to have been covered here earlier, I can't help but notice the "If things go bad I'll be alright because xyz" attitude. Even in comments on here.

I live on a street in a busy town on the outskirts of Glasgow, with multiple young families along the street. Perhaps the advice should include a mindset shift to include looking out for ones neighbours a bit and at least having the discussion with them about being a bit more prepared.
But then not everyone has the interest, space or finances to stock up on extras. And perhaps hypocritically I wouldn't want to be announcing that I've a huge food store to any and all...

 

[Sooty22]

This.

I have had this topic at the back of my mind for a while but when my wife discovered the preparedness advice she was behind it very quickly. (as I've mentioned before we have two little ones now)

Personal hygiene and Discworld philosophy aside the prepper "scene" has quite a lot of recurring themes as far as I can see.

Practical advice aside which seems to have been covered here earlier, I can't help but notice the "If things go bad I'll be alright because xyz" attitude. Even in comments on here.

I live on a street in a busy town on the outskirts of Glasgow, with multiple young families along the street. Perhaps the advice should include a mindset shift to include looking out for ones neighbours a bit and at least having the discussion with them about being a bit more prepared.
But then not everyone has the interest, space or finances to stock up on extras. And perhaps hypocritically I wouldn't want to be announcing that I've a huge food store to any and all...

Exactly. The government -and whole parliament and political scene- would be much better spending their time and resources bringing everyone together, rather than exploiting extremely divisive subjects and fanning the fires started decades ago for political gain by repeatedly pitching various portions of the population against each other -then saying we need to prep for 72h... They have managed to make everyone hate everyone and be extremely suspicious of all others.

Nobody would be doing well if the ****, if their plan is to 'become an island'. The well-prepped ones would just be prolonging their misery a little longer until they too needed something that's no longer there -but which to some degree some around could provide if people looked after each other.

We would be fine for up to a few months in the glen assuming nothing major happened health-wise. Then it would be messy, and we too have two little ones, so it's much better to pool together with everyone in our wider area and see who can do what for who - and one would be surprised at what a cohesive group can achieve in a pinch.

However, until I knew people do take some preparation seriously and not simply laugh that advice off, I would not be advertising anything to anyone, particularly in urban areas. The only reason we are a little more open about it where we are is because the whole area is kind of 'prepped' anyway, because disruption is normal here in winter and there wasn't even mobile coverage up to just 2y ago.

I am still not advertising the full extent of our stores -that would likely raise eyebrows and make some laugh- but I would be more than willing to share and barter where we are if it came to that.

Towns could be tricky places to be though. And that's why it's imperative for the political scene to change tack and make folk understand they'd need to pool together, but also take personal responsibility about being somewhat prepared rather than relying on others for their demands.

 

[Pattree]

The only way any of us are going to survive an absolute catastrophe in the long term is to be part of a surviving community.

 

[GeraldTheBonsai]

I live in a very dense urban area. The extended family are aware of what resources we have, and are under instruction that, should things get "interesting" to grab as much food as possible and come here. The immediate neighbours are aware that I have "stuff" - a shed covered in solar panels is hard to ignore, but a lot of it just looks like a keen DIYer with his toys.
Beyond that, even though its an urban area, we barely know the other neighbours, and we've been here for over 20 years. There is absolutely no community interaction - everyone keeps themselves to themselves.

 

[Woody girl]

Something that occurred to me today. Hygiene topics never mention having a few cans of dry shampoo for if the water is off for any reason. I have long hair which takes a lot of water to rinse successfully, and my scalp gets very itchy if I don't, so for chaps, its not normally a problem, as they invariably have short/no hair. For women and children it can be very different. So if you have ladies, or kids particularly with longer hair, this might be a boon to add to any prep bundle. Along with some solid deodorant, and old fashoned bars of soap, and for teens or pre teens acne treatments and soaps.
Nothing worse than being a spotty teen!

Both of these items acne treatment and dry shampoo can be great moral boosters in addition to your normal wet wipes and loo roll.

 

[Sooty22]

I live in a very dense urban area. The extended family are aware of what resources we have, and are under instruction that, should things get "interesting" to grab as much food as possible and come here. The immediate neighbours are aware that I have "stuff" - a shed covered in solar panels is hard to ignore, but a lot of it just looks like a keen DIYer with his toys.
Beyond that, even though its an urban area, we barely know the other neighbours, and we've been here for over 20 years. There is absolutely no community interaction - everyone keeps themselves to themselves.

That's actually a very British thing for some reason, likely because of the divisive politics I mention above; 'divide and conquer'. We've been in our glen for 3 years now, and only in the past few months we've started getting to know some of the neighbours more and hanging out with younger folk. There's a lot of division between 'newcomers', those who grew up here, and those older than Time who spent all their life in the glen, as well as those who chose to retire and move here from down South. A lot of blaming each other about everything... but we are getting there slowly.

In stark contrast, we have family and spend a lot of time in the Czech Republic, Italy and Greece. In Czechia it's in a town, while it's small villages in Italy and Greece. In all of those locations, folk get together and know a lot about each other. It only takes visiting for a couple of weeks to start getting invited to various get-togethers and blend with them, though that's only the case if you are introduced or have been there before. Still, folk move there and settle quite easily, fitting in relatively quickly provided they are willing to open up.

I guess there are still some living memories of times when they had to get together and sort things out, rather than expecting it all from nanny state, so they value a lot having reliable networks. That never really happened in the UK. No civil wars, no invasions, no martial law, russians etc etc, so there seems to be a blind trust -in general, not by specific portions of the population who may have a different view- to the system.

 

[Pattree]

My old dad used to say that you can do without the odd necessity but an occasional luxury is essential.

If you are not part of a community it might just be worth getting involved in one.

 

[TeeDee]

That's actually a very British thing for some reason, likely because of the divisive politics I mention above; 'divide and conquer'. We've been in our glen for 3 years now, and only in the past few months we've started getting to know some of the neighbours more and hanging out with younger folk. There's a lot of division between 'newcomers', those who grew up here, and those older than Time who spent all their life in the glen, as well as those who chose to retire and move here from down South. A lot of blaming each other about everything... but we are getting there slowly.

In stark contrast, we have family and spend a lot of time in the Czech Republic, Italy and Greece. In Czechia it's in a town, while it's small villages in Italy and Greece. In all of those locations, folk get together and know a lot about each other. It only takes visiting for a couple of weeks to start getting invited to various get-togethers and blend with them, though that's only the case if you are introduced or have been there before. Still, folk move there and settle quite easily, fitting in relatively quickly provided they are willing to open up.

I guess there are still some living memories of times when they had to get together and sort things out, rather than expecting it all from nanny state, so they value a lot having reliable networks. That never really happened in the UK. No civil wars, no invasions, no martial law, russians etc etc, so there seems to be a blind trust -in general, not by specific portions of the population who may have a different view- to the system.

You ve mentioned politics twice now - and if this is the kind of thing you are referring to I think that is just people being R-s-holes.

"That's actually a very British thing for some reason, likely because of the divisive politics I mention above; 'divide and conquer'. We've been in our glen for 3 years now, and only in the past few months we've started getting to know some of the neighbours more and hanging out with younger folk. There's a lot of division between 'newcomers', those who grew up here, and those older than Time who spent all their life in the glen, as well as those who chose to retire and move here from down South. A lot of blaming each other about everything... but we are getting there slowly."

Would be kinda amazing if we can steer an interesting and needed relevant thread away from the areas of personal political views and interpretations

 

[HorseGuy]

I live in a very dense urban area. The extended family are aware of what resources we have, and are under instruction that, should things get "interesting" to grab as much food as possible and come here.

I keep my silver coins stored with a family member who lives many miles away from me. This way if things ever get 'interesting' at least I know they would have something to barter with.

Personally I would avoid urban areas and head straight to the small village where we keep our horses. There's a good community of county folk here who might stand a fighting chance of making a go of things. Realistically I probably wouldn't last more than a year or two if things ever got really 'interesting' but I do think that I might at least be able to help out a few people along the way as part of a community.

 

[Sooty22]

You ve mentioned politics twice now - and if this is the kind of thing you are referring to I think that is just people being R-s-holes.

"That's actually a very British thing for some reason, likely because of the divisive politics I mention above; 'divide and conquer'. We've been in our glen for 3 years now, and only in the past few months we've started getting to know some of the neighbours more and hanging out with younger folk. There's a lot of division between 'newcomers', those who grew up here, and those older than Time who spent all their life in the glen, as well as those who chose to retire and move here from down South. A lot of blaming each other about everything... but we are getting there slowly."

Would be kinda amazing if we can steer an interesting and needed relevant thread away from the areas of personal political views and interpretations

I didn't mean to come across as discussing politics in a 'this party is better than the others' sense; what I meant was that politics in the UK have been extremely divisive from all sides, by all parties, for decades. Of course the same has been the case in Europe and pretty much the whole West for some reason. What I wanted to convey was that -for some reasons- some countries resist that division better, and some worse.

As a sidenote, politics do run the country. It's politicians who influence the very subject of this thread, so it's difficult to discuss the National Risk Register and various points introduced, removed or omitted, without touching the subject of those who decide its contents.

Other than that, I totally agree with you in keeping politics out of it, and I would certainly refrain from discussing specific policies of any parties in here. We need to get together, find common ground, not alienate and divide even more.

 

[Pattree]

Unfortunately the definitions of “humanity” and “humane” have Party political interpretations.

It isn’t simple or easy but we’ve got to find a way that isn’t an individual guarding their stash with an AK47 across their knees.

Look out for the people next door.