The date was December 21st, 2012.  Mass populations around the world sat anxiously in anticipation awaiting the end of the last charted day on the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, and what many doomsday preppers regarded as the day for global cataclysm. Leading up to this date, American media outlets such as the History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and YouTube beat these doomsday speculations into the minds of society through every promulgated form of hype imaginable (Hoopes). These claims, although not directly referenced by the Mayans, centered around the idea of a disruption in the Earth’s gravitational balance that could lead to humanities mass extinction. Ancient Mesoamerican cultures were highly revered for their astrological research and the creation of the well-known Long Count calendar. And over time scientists have accredited the studies of these ancient civilizations with high commendation. Although merit has been given to Mayan research, modern scientists worked to disprove any theorems stemming off their work that hinted at a doomsday occurrence on the anticipated date of December 21st, 2012. Despite modern scientist stances clearly not supporting the doomsday movement, many members of the population were sucked into the medias illusion that precautionary measures needed to be taken to prep for the what some outlets described as “the inevitable end to mankind” (Hoopes). However, as many civilians waited in angst December 21st came to an end, and most of the hype around the apocalypse disappeared with it. 

The 2012 phenomenon was not the first predicted date of doomsday nor will it likely be the last. Other modern theorists discuss doomsday stemming from causes like: solar storms, pandemic, planet x, the big rip theory, global warming, gamma ray bursts, computer takeover, electromagnetic pulse, nuclear war, asteroid collision and finally, zombies. Once again, scientific research like NASA, the health protection agency, and the world health organization, have released stem-theories explaining how these events can occur, but as earths paleontological studies has shown, the timeframe before a mass extinction of an entire species is capable of exceeding tens of millions of years (Moss). Even one of the world’s longest standing and largest information sources, the church, and its leading biblical scholars are still interpreting the biblical texts discussing the book of Revelations (Hornor). Due to these circumstances, the survivalism movement thrives on uncertainty and impracticality, therefore establishing that it is a waste of time and money for anyone to acquire more than the basic government recommended survival preparations for any doomsday scenario.  

One tough distinction to keep in mind when it comes to survivalism is where to draw the line when it comes to emergency preparedness. One of the leading governmental groups responsible for equipping society with the right emergency kits for real world disasters is the Red Cross. These kits include necessities like first aid supplies, clothing applicable to different forms of extreme weather, and different methods of preparing safe food and water.  The Red Cross works to prepare humans for different environmental disasters to create a sustainable living guide for an intermediate length of time. One example of a temporary survival package is the “Deluxe 3-Day Emergency Preparedness Kit” and it equips the owner with a hand crank emergency radio, an emergency thermal blanket, water pouches & food packets (Five-year shelf life), a procedural breathing mask, a whistle, a rain poncho, a hygiene comfort kit, and a forty-five piece First aid kit. This kit can provide three days of adequate survival in natural disaster situations that may leave the owner in a position of immobilization or affliction. These emergency supplies and many others come directly recommended from the government (Katel). 

Preparedness is one thing. However, doomsday prepping happens to fall on the opposite side of this spectrum. “Preppers” plan for the collapse of modern civilization as a probable occurrence within our lifetime. The labeling of “preppers” has developed an extremely mainstream connotation, unlike the survivalism movement of the 20th century. With the fear of nuclear war briefly subsiding, the modern media has started shaping a new wave of “preppers” unlike anything of the past (Katel). Current forms of media, more specifically prepping television shows like Doomsday Preppers have seen huge spikes in ratings by displaying a small portion of the doomsday prepping community as borderline anti-life. The shows pilot episode highlighted several preppers that have invented/crafted several types of tools and shelters that they believe should be introduced to the world of prepping as a model of how to construct proper precautions. The shows anonymous “experts” are then called upon to assess the preppers setups and provide tips for maximizing their safety and effectiveness (Madison). After the shows first season ended, these so-called expert’s profiles were released on October 4th, 2012 surrounding many articles challenging the credibility of the show’s instructional tips. Especially with the looming December 21st date so close by. The article released by National Geographic reveals that their chosen “experts” are two men that hold qualifications in two very contrasting fields. One of the two men grew on a farm where he learned skills to be self-sustainable. His career then developed toward infrastructure based handy-work and into work as a local pastor. As a jack-of-all trades his passion towards the prepping world propelled him into his advisory role in the show. The other expert is a combat veteran and weapons expert that served in Iraq and uses military style tactics to achieve an efficient prepping style (Meet). Although the experts of this show may seem plenty qualified, there is no certification system for the survivalism movement, or any valid organization to regulate the sale of doomsday prepping materials. 

An article published by the New York Times placed harsh criticism on National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers claiming that the show made preppers an easy target for ridicule. And only the prepping demographic would find true amusement. The author emphasizes that the longer he watched the show, the more apparent the “preppers” contempt for humankind was. He analyzes the preppers that plan on specific doomsday endings. In his analysis, he negates different ideologies held by the preppers to prove how they can never be fully prepared. For example, he questions how “preppers” who build underground bunkers would combat a doomsday catastrophe that originates underground, via earthquake or volcano. One of the more lasting statements Genzlinger made was that the preppers are looking for the pleasure of being able to say, “See, I told you the world was going to end.” And that some preppers are looking to lash out at society by unleashing stockpiled arsenals of ammunitions once the “inevitable” chaos of an apocalypse occurs. The show Doomsday Preppers, in review by the New York Times, brings out the “ugliest undercurrents” in the prepping world, while dodging out on the challenging questions (Genzlinger). This article reinforces the uncertainty of prepping strategy, and how conflicting theories make it impossible to be fully prepared. Adding on to that, many of the featured preppers in the show have spent years and thousands of dollars acquiring prepping materials, and then they face these experts who likely will tell them their work is not sufficient. These materials are often considered to be specialized for preppers, but lack of a competitive market creates an exponential rise in price for modified gear. 

Whenever the shared belief that civilization faces a collapse is held amongst members of the survivalism movement, they face the risk of being exploited economically. In the past decade, companies have sought out to manipulate the wallets of apprehensive preppers. Anxiety has proven to be an excellent economic stimulant, and what group is more anxious than doomsday preppers. Ever since its entrance into the mainstream media, the survivalism movement has evolved into a market of goods believed to be necessities. Preppers are always seeking to buy the newest and most updated gear out, and companies can take advantage of this by releasing slightly upgraded products at a high demand. The capitalists pulling the strings have made it their goal to stoke people’s fears, but they lack experience in the field of survivalism. This has sparked plenty of anger amongst experts who feel passionately about the importance of proper survival instruction and this has been impeded by capitalist intrusion. At a recent prepper trade show in Irving, Texas, hosted by the National Self-Reliance Organization, preppers from across the country flocked to spend copious amounts of money on the newest gear in the industry. All the ATM’s in the building were emptied by the end of the day. And no matter how many mini crossbows, self-sustaining power grids, and utility survival vehicles were displayed, they sold (Monroe 8). The advertising ploys of prepping companies target a demographic of people that desire the security that the materials they buy will provide. But what authority is held by the company deeming that the next solar powered wind boat coming off the assembly line is an absolute necessity for when the power grid inevitably collapses? Fear is the guiding impulse for purchases like these. And after its purchase most survival gear just sits in storage all the while depreciating in value, and being replaced in stores by “new and more improved” gear. Inevitably, the truth of the matter is that no matter how much money is spent by preppers there will always be countless scenarios they are not prepared for. 

In an article posted by CNN several men are interviewed, all of whom have spent ridiculous amounts of time and money prepping for countless disaster scenarios and attaining materials to rebuild civilization in a post-apocalyptic world. One of the men Patrick Geryl estimated he had spent more than one hundred and thirty thousand dollars prepping for the predicted end of the world in 2012. He is currently working on saving to buy a one hundred thousand dollar “unsinkable yacht” to sail from his home in Belgium to his bunker in South Africa. Geryl is the author of “How to Survive 2012” and eight other books about the destined catastrophe of 2012. But, even though his credibility is damaged, and all his survival gear just sits in storage collecting dust, he waits for the next chance to take advantage of his expensive preparations.

 Another popular forum for preppers to gather information from is the American Preppers Network. The American Preppers Network is an organization that promotes freedom through teaching others self-reliance. Within their website subheading reads, “National family survival and preparedness organization”. Phil Burns, one of the co-founders of this organization suggests, “…setting aside as much as 20 percent of your income for preparations. This money can be used towards the purchase of a doomsday bunker, guns, food, and other supplies. It’ll take time, but there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve done it all on your own” (Ellis). He references crowd-funding as a viable option. Which in the current day and age just is not a reliable tool due to the lack of pertinent evidence surrounding doomsday, not to mention the lack of public morale towards the movement. Very few members of society looking to support a GoFundMe campaign look to contribute money to a person trying to isolate themselves from society when they could choose to make an immediate beneficial difference to a much more time sensitive issue. Furthermore, Burns does not reference any strategies offering any budgeting techniques to shift to an economically stable lifestyle after making such a large financial decision. On top of that, twenty percent of an average household income just isn’t realistic for families to invest into depreciating survival assets. Especially when most recent income distribution calculation conducted by the United States Congressional Budget Office took place in 2013 and declared that the median household income in our country is estimated to be around fifty-one thousand dollars after taxes (Income). Twenty percent of that income works out to be ten-thousand and two hundred dollars, and the leftover balance simply is not enough money to sustain a healthy and comfortable life for families with multiple children. 

In our current economic market, doomsday prepping supplies are sold at unreasonable price and companies are looking to take advantage of consumers. Therefore, families are better off basing their financial planning to help create an agreeable future based on economic stability, instead of facing economic toil for a sense of readiness against an unpredictable apocalypse. However, society should not disregard preparedness completely. There are plenty of skills and equipment that can help you combat real-world disasters/situations that some people in their lives will face unexpectedly. There is a proper concernment to create a conscious plan in case of natural disasters or wilderness situations. And survival in these situations may rely upon critical thinking and knowing how to most effectively use supplies or environmental factors surrounding someone. Remember with this, to be careful about who is claiming to hold expertise when it comes to survival matters, and be weary not to let fear change a perception that could lead into a financial trap. A very fine line is drawn between this reasonable level of preparedness, and when a person’s lifestyle is compromised by “prepping”. It is easy to get carried away in the thousands of theories that could destroy our existence, but no matter how prepared “preppers” claim to be, they will never have a guarantee of total safety. Prepping is a vicious cycle that will try to take advantage of people, and manufacturers will always be releasing new and improved items that they claim to be necessities. Just remember that there is no better stimulant for corporations to target than anxiety. And therefore, a high level of discernment should always be taken when it comes to protecting the safety of oneself and their family. Another important thing to note is that no level of consensus has formed among modern day scientists on when a solar storm, pandemic, or etc. will lead to the Earth’s destruction. So, we must wait and look toward trusted organizations like NASA, the World Health Organization, and the Health Protection Agency for information about the possibility of grand-scale disaster. And just because the companies and the mainstream media are trying to harness your attention for the next predicted apocalypse, does not mean instant action should be taken to prepare. Hundreds of falsely predicted doomsday dates have had their time in the spotlight. And it is highly likely that civilization will see more of these theories collapse in the future. Until sufficient scientific evidence deems that the next apocalypse is at our doorstep, there is no sense in throwing unnecessary amounts of time and money into preparing for an uncertain end. 
