Is prepping for the worst only a con to sell survival products using peoples fear?

Answer 1

Certainly there is money to be made - remember the elaborate 1960s bomb shelters? There are a number of people who truly believe the end is coming, or that they will have to defend themselves against those who do not have food etc. if a future catastrophe happens. The movement, often called Survivalists and now preppers has been around since the 1930's for several reasons. Economic collapse, nuclear war, and other sudden events could cut off food supplies, including clean water. In the past, the Mormon church recommended a year's supply, but currently recommends three months. Con or not, both food and water spoil over time, and so are expensive to collect all at once and may be a total loss. Most people would do well to learn how to survive with limited water, no electricity and no access to medications, using the Red Cross list. The other side of the movement, where people have collected firearms, ammunition and are ready to "bug out", is the other end of the spectrum. On some of the TV shows, it looks like hoarding. During one hurricane watch, I saw shoppers load up on more tuna than most of us eat in a lifetime. In life, nothing is certain, so you have to find a balance of being prepared and living your life with the resources you have.