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Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

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Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#31

Post by jseliger »

analogmemory wrote: post #27

I find it curious that people prepare for a "Doomsday" scenario. I can fathom a localized catastrophe like an earthquake, or extreme weather, or even a horrible bomb attack. But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. I feel like we're more likely to die from old age than anything from space or zombies. Maybe I just can't do the level of paranoia that some…

But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality.

It would be interesting to have the same perspective in, say, 1913. In that period virtually no one expected the catastrophe that would become World War I, which led into the catastrophe of WWII. Really, really bad things can happen; because they haven't since 1945 doesn't mean they won't again. The 1913 mindset is part of what I channeled when I wrote this: https://jakeseliger.com/2016/11/28/trump-fears-and-the-nucle...

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#32

Post by true_religion »

aub3bhat wrote: post #16

I think a lot of rich people underestimate the importance of law and order which allows them to benfit-from/wield their wealth. A bunch of guns, food packets or gold bars are unlikely to be of any use in case of a true catastrophe. The sense of power that wealth brings evaporates quickly, a quick litmus test is how few wealthy like Maddoff can escape law enforcement, even when having complete knowledge of their own c…

Doomsday isn't going to happen tommorrow, but if you think its a possibility then it makes sense to sink money into a minature fortress now, then later as things worsen, grow outwards and invest in lesser protected zones for people who are aligned with you to join.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#33

Post by rb808 »

FLUX-YOU wrote: post #3

It must be great to be known as a doomsday escape haven like New Zealand. When the world actually goes tits up, you have a whole bunch of rich people bringing supplies and survival gear to your country for you to take.

From what I know of New Zealanders they still are very egalitarian and generally hate wealthy billionaires. I think if these rich people actually move there they'd regret it.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#34

Post by dynofuz »

it seems that living in an apartment would be safer than a stand alone house. at least in the apartment even if you dont know your neighbors there may be some sense of community -- if we protect the apartment then we all have some safety. also surface area wise, an apartment has many more people to defend than a standalone house. personally if i were going to route of the people in the article, id get a boat and live on the coast.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#36

Post by Balgair »

arethuza wrote: post #21
arouqa wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the past, they would have founded their own nation with a personal army by now.

Maintaining the loyalty of those you invite to protect you can be a bit tricky - according to one source that's how the Anglo Saxons were invited to what became England to help protect a post Roman society of Britons from attacks from what is now Scotland (Picts and Dalriadic Scots): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_settlement_of_Brit... I'd expect the loyalty to a rich employer would last right up to the po…

The quote: "There is no arguing with the barrel of a gun" springs to mind here. Money means nothing if you don't have the ability to protect it. Interestingly, regulations and the spaghetti mess that is the banking system kinda serve as a means of protection; only certain clerks know the safe pathway in the network of laws and files that otherwise hide dragons of fines and the dreaded lawyers.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#37

Post by awfgylbcxhrey »

analogmemory wrote: post #27

I find it curious that people prepare for a "Doomsday" scenario. I can fathom a localized catastrophe like an earthquake, or extreme weather, or even a horrible bomb attack. But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. I feel like we're more likely to die from old age than anything from space or zombies. Maybe I just can't do the level of paranoia that some…

I don't know why you've been downvoted, since IMO you raise a valid point.

I've known a few prepper types. They had plans for escape rooms, a significant cache of weapons, some ammo, and a few MREs in the closet.

Nobody had more than maybe a few liters of water per person in the home, and when I asked about an escape plan (e.g. there's a fire, get out and meet at John's house on the next street over) they looked at me like I was insane. Oh, and of course they're all in fairly bad shape.

In my opinion, most of the "prepper" stuff is about fantasy role playing. I see it as related to the "middle aged man porn" we see lately in the form of the Taken franchise of movies. It perhaps it gives a feeling of smug satisfaction in a chaotic life. You're angry that you were cut off in traffic on your way to a job that might have layoffs tomorrow, but at least you can tell yourself that when the apocalypse comes, you'll succeed while that jerk will be fodder. Sort of a tough guy variant of the classic "ass pennies" comedy sketch.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#38

Post by woofyman »

analogmemory wrote: post #27

I find it curious that people prepare for a "Doomsday" scenario. I can fathom a localized catastrophe like an earthquake, or extreme weather, or even a horrible bomb attack. But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. I feel like we're more likely to die from old age than anything from space or zombies. Maybe I just can't do the level of paranoia that some…

The loss of the electric grid would throw us back to the 19th century but without 19th century technology. There would be mass starvation and disease.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#39

Post by analogmemory »

jseliger wrote: post #31
analogmemory wrote: post #27

I find it curious that people prepare for a "Doomsday" scenario. I can fathom a localized catastrophe like an earthquake, or extreme weather, or even a horrible bomb attack. But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. I feel like we're more likely to die from old age than anything from space or zombies. Maybe I just can't do the level of paranoia that some…

But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. It would be interesting to have the same perspective in, say, 1913. In that period virtually no one expected the catastrophe that would become World War I, which led into the catastrophe of WWII. Really, really bad things can happen; because they haven't since 1945 doesn't mean they won't again. The 1913 mindset…

Right but it was still contained to a country or region. People in Mexico we not affected by World War I/II that required a bunker and ammunition.

Re: Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich

#40

Post by semi-extrinsic »

jseliger wrote: post #31
analogmemory wrote: post #27

I find it curious that people prepare for a "Doomsday" scenario. I can fathom a localized catastrophe like an earthquake, or extreme weather, or even a horrible bomb attack. But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. I feel like we're more likely to die from old age than anything from space or zombies. Maybe I just can't do the level of paranoia that some…

But the extreme examples seem more related to our entertainment consumption than based on a real reality. It would be interesting to have the same perspective in, say, 1913. In that period virtually no one expected the catastrophe that would become World War I, which led into the catastrophe of WWII. Really, really bad things can happen; because they haven't since 1945 doesn't mean they won't again. The 1913 mindset…

On the flip side, my relatively poor grandparents spent good money in the 1950's on hoarding stuff (clothes, shoes, radios, misc. equipment) in basement/attic spaces, in preparation for the next world war that never came. That stuff was never used, and mostly thrown away after they died, as it wasn't in good condition anymore. That money could have been much better spent; this was pretty common in the generation who grew up during WW2.
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