While the show has some good
points, it’s still TV and needs to be entertaining in order for NATGeo to get
viewers and advertising dollars. The
program has created additional awareness about prepping and the need to be prepared
but they have also sensationalized prepping to the point where they may have
difficulty finding preppers to participate in their program.
After visiting several
serious preppers and a couple of beginners in my area, many of my prepper
friends seem to be making a decision to avoid the possibility of subjecting
themselves to being viewed as extremists on the fringe of society. Many stated
they wouldn’t mind talking about their own level of expertise in certain areas.
They also stated they wouldn’t mind giving advice and sharing ideas about
prepping. They were also pretty clear that they weren’t about to reveal any
specific information about their level of preps. No way! No how!
Even a pretty serious
prepper like me has picked up a few tips from the show but there have also been
some things that didn’t quite make sense to me from a practical standpoint. The
show’s producers may also have realized that the “average” prepper isn’t going
to have the “shock” value for their audience. They may have also used their
editorial control to the point where the preppers involved may have been
seriously misrepresented in their prepping efforts for the sake of higher TV ratings. Not a good thing in my estimation.
There are plenty of
gardening and other types of programs that are a more accurate portrayal of the
types of basic activities preppers are regularly involved in on TV already.
After all, how much entertainment value can you get out of a kitty litter
bucket used as a nesting box for your chickens? This might be interesting to
people raising chickens but probably not everyone.
Personally there is no
problem for me when it comes to sharing ideas and advice with other like-minded
individuals, just don’t ask for specific details about my level of preps, my
address or my bug out locations. That’s private information and known to only a
trusted few.
Perhaps the program will
make a turnaround and show more of the “common sense” approach to prepping and
focus more on the practical aspects. Including a few more basic prepping tips and
the various things that can be done to be better prepared would be a good start.
The value of being more self-reliant and better prepared is an important aspect
of prepping and should probably be given more attention and focus. They might also want to treat persons involved in prepping with a little more respect and consideration. There are a lot more preppers out there than they may realize and they may be missing an opportunity for an even bigger audience.
In recent months, there has been a significant increase in the number of prepper blogs and websites. The prepper movement is growing and will continue to grow. A more accurate portrayal of prepping may make a more interesting program than they realize.
In recent months, there has been a significant increase in the number of prepper blogs and websites. The prepper movement is growing and will continue to grow. A more accurate portrayal of prepping may make a more interesting program than they realize.
Even one of the most recent
episodes was just a montage of previous shows and may be a sign that they are
having difficulty finding preppers to profile. While the need to get others
more involved in the prepping community is an admirable goal, going on national
TV may not be the best way to do it. It appears that there may be an
increasingly negative reaction from the prepper community as result.
Is “Doomsday Preppers” going
to survive?
Staying above the water
line!
Riverwalker
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14 comments:
Television wants to sensationalize whatever subject they choose. In doing so, they lose whatever it was that attracted us in the first place. Even the weather forecasters have to take drama class.
Guess I've been reading too many conspiracy theories. I don't think they WANT to do anything to promote prepping. That would lessen the total control of "the powers that be." Besides, you're right, picking up a few extra supplies at the store, or raising a bigger garden just wouldn't make for "good TV."
I have turned down several of those types of shows, personally don't want any part of them, don't want the publicity, don't want the ridicule, and quite frankly it's no body's business what I have and don't...
I haven't watched very many of them either, I don't own a TV, saw a couple of the Doomsday Prepper shows online, and I had to laugh at what I saw, is that the best this show can do? Or did they purposely pick out the most inept?
Wretha
Excellent thoughts. I've turned down the opportunity to participate in a couple of TV shows as well for reasons you and others here have stated. I declined to pronote a show recently on my site.
To: Bill Giles
It seems that certain things are only covered briefly unless there is something really sensational happening.
Take your example of weather forecasts. On most days the forecaster gets a 30 second sound bite but if there's a flood, tornado, blizzard or something else of a similar nature occurring...then they can spend the whole day on the subject.
Thanks Bill.
RW
To: Gorges Smythe
You're right on target. I probably would make pretty dull television when I think about it.
Missile silo bunker? Nope.
$50,000 food storage inventory? Nope.
More guns than the armory at a small military base? Nope.
Looks like I don't qualify. Guess I'll just have to go throw some chicken feed out and pick the veggies from the garden.
Thanks Gorge.
RW
To: Wretha
Turned down quite a few offers myself. Not really interested in that "15 minutes of fame" turning into what could become years of regret.
Thanks Wretha.
RW
To: John
It may be time to just start deleting those requests to be interviewed or profiled. It's been hard enough trying to get some prepper meetups started without the media creating an image that is not really an accurate portrayal of your basic prepper.
Thanks John.
RW
It's most certainly NOT doomed. There are always going to be people who want that attention, even preppers.
I liked the guy making pipe bombs,what better way to get a visit from guys in big black SUV's and bulletproof vests?
To: milleniumfly
You may be right. There will probably be some that can't resist their chance at fame.
Thanks.
RW
To: anonymous 10:56
I think they even had one segment where someone was using liquor to make Molotav cocktails...either way it's not something you should be doing.
Like you said "What better way to get a visit from guys in big black SUV's and bulletproof vests?"
They may get a lot more attention than they bargained for in a hurry.
Thanks anon.
RW
While it may get a few more people interested in prepping it would be more useful to have a step by step... here is what you need to do type program. We have been preppers for several years but only few trusted people (preppers) know. I finally found a company that offers an OPSEC way to get our food storage. A years worth of food all stacked up on a pallet and wrapped in black plastic. It's called the CUBE. You can find it at www.srmarketplace.com on the special deals page. Don't know how to cook with food storage? They have some good videos that shows you several recipes. It's easier than I thought it would be to be prepared, you just have to know where to look.
I have also heard that they spin the show to make the prepper look crazy. This next season they are supposed to have changed their format into items that help people in a disaster situation. Check out our survival heaters produce zero smoke and use 75%less wood than conventional wood heaters http://www.dragonheaters.com
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