Predicting disasters is big business. Insurance companies, governments, communities and individuals rely on good information in order to make choices that benefit their respective interests. However, predicting disasters is also very risky due to the sensational nature of the topic. It’s hard to develop a good approach to disaster prevention and management when it’s so difficult to get a handle on preparing for “what if” situations.
We all see the consequences of being caught off-guard during a crisis. It happened in Japan after the tsunami. It happened in New Orleans and it’s happening in Africa. Governments didn’t have a clue, people died. Despite the world being incredibly unstable socially, politically and economically while being plagued with extreme weather, we are not much closer to being prepared. The greatest threat we face today is our apathy as a nation and our vulnerability to the effect of global events.
This happens because we focus on predicting certain disasters and developing adequate responses instead of developing a state of general readiness. As long as the modern world doesn’t take preparation seriously, then it’s almost a foregone conclusion that disaster will strike. We need to accept that when the SHTF, it will happen in a way that we didn’t expect. Therefore, we should use contingency plans and predictions as opportunities to practice and expand our resources as opposed to looking at them as fuel for conspiracy theories.
Modern society as well as governments all around the world seem to be oblivious to the game-changing future that humanity is about to experience. It may come in the form of wars, famines, terrorist or nuclear attacks, economic collapse or a combination of every bad thing imaginable, but it will come.
I say these things because it is easy to lose sight of the big and long-term picture, especially when the world around us seems to be stuck in the moment. I know that it is also difficult to keep moving forward while everyone else is just living from day-to-day, lulled by constant entertainment and distractions. Prepping is a long-term endeavor that changes mindsets and alters lives. It involves the development of skills and the acquisition of resources.
Remember the story of Noah and the Ark? Remember that he built the ark despite being surrounded by a world that was oblivious to what was happening around them. The same is true today. The world won’t be able to cope with the calamity that is coming, and your ability to have the most options at your disposal rests on you prepared you are.
Maybe disaster will strike tomorrow or maybe in 30 years. Perhaps you will face a flood or fire that threatens your life before the whole world erupts. The biggest threat to our way of life is the Boy who Cried Wolf scenario where we get complacent because of so many false alarms. No matter what, survival is about being prepared and having a different kind of mindset than the majority of the world.
Developing a constant state of readiness should be part of your everyday life. Keep the focus on the big picture, and don’t get discouraged if predictions don’t come true. Finally, realize that you are not the crazy one either, and remember that your actions now may pay big dividends in the long-run.
