Doomsday Preppers (2nd) 02/07/2012 Nat Geo

[CaptBrainFreeze]

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/sto ... 52993468/1

Interesting poll taken.

[stonedv8]

that chick in those shorts gave me nightmares. out of all of the families... i think i liked the gardening couple with the apple press the best. They lacked solar preps, but i liked how they actually just turned it into a hobby / way of life, and not into something cracked out and ridiculous.

the heavyset self-defense instructor also seemed a bit awkward. she was creepy friendly, like deep down she is a gourmet cook / serial killer, and that bothers me.

the botanist also impressed me. i kept thinking how neat it'd be to see him in a dual survival episode with cody lundin.

I think to me they were pretty looney as well.

I have seen normal farmers with as much skills, equipment and goods as they did and farmers make that a way of life.

These people did not even believe in weapons or defense items. Granted, you do not need a weapons cache with enough ammo to defend Ft. Knox, but something along the lines of self defense even a handgun per person or a few rifles would be a good starting point. They did not believe in having ANY self defense, they said they would just "win" over any gangs, rapists or thugs with their cooking and goods.

Those kind of people are seriously out of touch with the rest of the world.

[a_knight_shall_come]

I've been posting my commentaries on the series up on my blog, I'm through the first episode; second episode segments coming soon.

[ineffableone]

Found some decent reviews for the show thought I would share.

[SoCalShook]

The botanist Christopher Nyerges is amazing. He has been teaching people for the last 30 years and written several books. My wife took one of his classes when she was in college and still talks about it. We want to get a group of like minded friends to go as well for a while. My only fear is now after the NatGeo thing it will be harder to get into.

From is site

The School of Self-reliance arose from Christopher and Dolores Nyerges’ dream to live and to teach practical skills to mostly urban folks who’ve lost touch with our most basic roots. The School was founded by Christopher and Dolores, now (since Dolores’ passing in 2008) carried on by Christopher and peripatetic faculty of uniquely-skilled individuals.
Since 1974, Christopher Nyerges has taken over 30,000 children and adults on his Wild Food Outings, Survival Skills Outings, and other field trips and outdoor programs.
He has worked with such groups as Sierra Club, Tree People, Southwest Museum, Boy Scouts of America, Elder Hostel, home schools, public and private schools, churches, libraries, etc.
He is the author of 10 books, including Self-Sufficient Home: How to Go Green and Save Money, How to Survive Anywhere, Enter the Forest, and Guide to Wild Foods. He was the editor of Wilderness Way magazine for 7 years, and has authored several thousand newspaper and magazine articles in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star News, Pasadena Weekly, Whole Life Times, American Survival Guide, and others.

[CaptBrainFreeze]

Lonewolf dude also teaches his skills in a class he holds...teaches what he preaches. I liked him overall. He's pretty low key too, wouldn't really stick out as a threat or a target.

[sniperfrog]

That chick from Houston said she worked out 4 hours a day. Sure didn't look like it. She should not be wearing those shorts.

She also pretty much said she was probably going to have to whore herself out at some point.

And why the F*** go to Mexico?

[HKTackDriver]

Suggestions:
Watch it for ideas, not to critique, you'll live longer!
Expect the loony slant and ignore it. All normal people can be made to look loony, especially on a loony subject. Cat killer was especially nutty though. Yeah, sure, whore yourself you fruitcake!
No guns = death by stranger. Check politics at the door when you are prepping to outlive nonpreppers.

I was entertained and enjoyed the show, mainly because I also considered them crazy - for being on tv.

[Midian]

That chick from Houston said she worked out 4 hours a day. Sure didn't look like it. She should not be wearing those shorts.

She also pretty much said she was probably going to have to whore herself out at some point.

And why the F*** go to Mexico?

Yea, NatGeo Paid her to change from Gulf Hurricanes to Peak Oil as her reason because they said it was too boring. Among other creative edits to her reasons and actions.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/rockbeyondbelief/2012/02/08/how-nat-geo-misrepresented-the-foxhole-atheist-doomsday-prepper-megan-hurwitt/

[HKTackDriver]

That chick from Houston said she worked out 4 hours a day. Sure didn't look like it. She should not be wearing those shorts.

She also pretty much said she was probably going to have to whore herself out at some point.

And why the F*** go to Mexico?

Yea, NatGeo Paid her to change from Gulf Hurricanes to Peak Oil as her reason because they said it was too boring. Among other creative edits to her reasons and actions.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/rockbeyondbelief/2012/02/08/how-nat-geo-misrepresented-the-foxhole-atheist-doomsday-prepper-megan-hurwitt/

And something that Nat Geo didn’t mention? The producer offered me $1,000 to shoot my cat on camera. Fuck him, fuck the editor.

Wow! LOL! That says a lot about the direction Nat Geo is trying to take the show and portray the community! I still think she's a nutball though, but now it's because she's an athiest cat lady.

[catalyst]

I would love to say i'd stop watching due to them abusing the preppers, but i still get good ideas from the shows. its bullshit that they spun her out to be nuts, though.

[gelgoog]

That chick from Houston said she worked out 4 hours a day. Sure didn't look like it. She should not be wearing those shorts.

She also pretty much said she was probably going to have to whore herself out at some point.

And why the F*** go to Mexico?

Yea, NatGeo Paid her to change from Gulf Hurricanes to Peak Oil as her reason because they said it was too boring. Among other creative edits to her reasons and actions.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/rockbeyondbelief/2012/02/08/how-nat-geo-misrepresented-the-foxhole-atheist-doomsday-prepper-megan-hurwitt/

You know I had a feeling that they were urging the preppers on the show to pick one scenario as their reasoning even if they may be general preppers. That way they can focus a lot of graphics and talk about that specific scenario and talk about how unlikely or unprepared that person is for that specific scenario. Sensationalism sells, and natgeo is not above resorting to those tricks.

[MADic]

That's pretty messed up how they portrayed her if what she is saying is true, which it probably is. I mean I understand that TV is all about attracting viewers and NatGeo is still ultimately an entertainment company, but still... I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to get ratings, and crazy always attracts more viewers.

[yale]

Doomsday prepper has his guns confiscated, declared mental...
http://offgridsurvival.com/doomsdayprep ... defective/

[ineffableone]

Doomsday prepper has his guns confiscated, declared mental...
http://offgridsurvival.com/doomsdayprep ... defective/

*edit forgot this important detail. His guns were not confiscated, they are safe in a location not on his property. It is right to own firearms that was confiscated.

This has nothing to do with his appearance on Doomsday Preppers. This was an issue that came about due to his health issues. The Doctor trapped him into describing how he would kill himself if he would. Which if you know Dave is like handing one of the 3 stooges a cream pie. Dave has a sense of humour and likes to joke around and make silly comments that make people say WTF. One of his methods of "suicide" was to put on a white sheet and run around a black neighborhood. LOL

He had been battling this issue even before the taping of Dommsday Preppers from what I understand. It was just recently that it came to this point. Now if you have been following Dave on youtube, you know he has had run ins with the Sheriff for "choking his chickens" on skype. LOL Some PETA animal rights freak (not saying all PETA folks are, just this one) got up and arms and called the Sheriff on him for discussing normal rural practices with livestock while on skype. This issue of classifying him as "mental defective" or what ever is likely the local authorities trying to disarm him, due to them being afraid of him, rather than him being a threat to himself or others.

Unfortunately Dave is not wealthy, infact is quite poor money wise. So got stuck with a no working public defender in court over the issue. He did have an NRA lawyer who was going to help but just posted a video saying that lawyer now is not taking the case. After oddly a bunch of people tried donating money to the lawyer for Dave to be represented. This is a weird case and I don't know all the details. I feel for Dave and hope this drama in his life doesn't drive him "metal defective" because he is a nice and funny guy who does have a big heart and lots of great prepping knowledge.

[HKTackDriver]

Well, speaking from experience, sometimes you can't take a case because the person you're going to represent either has a very extreme ideal of what you'll do for them or they just can't assist you in their defense due to personality defects. It happens - often.

I still feel bad for the guy, if he's a threat to himself, he's going to do it one way or another.

[ineffableone]

Well, speaking from experience, sometimes you can't take a case because the person you're going to represent either has a very extreme ideal of what you'll do for them or they just can't assist you in their defense due to personality defects. It happens - often.

I still feel bad for the guy, if he's a threat to himself, he's going to do it one way or another.

Dave told the doctor that he could not commit suicide due to being Christian. Even if Dave wanted to, which he says he doesn't, his interpretation of his faith says it is not an option for him to choose.

[HKTackDriver]

Well, speaking from experience, sometimes you can't take a case because the person you're going to represent either has a very extreme ideal of what you'll do for them or they just can't assist you in their defense due to personality defects. It happens - often.

I still feel bad for the guy, if he's a threat to himself, he's going to do it one way or another.

Dave told the doctor that he could not commit suicide due to being Christian. Even if Dave wanted to, which he says he doesn't, his interpretation of his faith says it is not an option for him to choose.

I understand that, what I'm saying is that doctors don't usually jam up their patients unless there's an underlying personality disorder or sometimes even a social anxiety or inability to connect with those around them. I've seen cases come through my county's mental health court where a seemingly normal guy is thrown through the wringer merely because he wouldn't talk to the doctor about scars that have been there since childhood. Hey, if my dad were putting out cigarettes on my neck when I was 5, I probably would be unhappy thinking and talking about it too! That doesn't mean you revictimize him because you have some dick brained doctor theory that he's a self mutilator psychopath!

But I digress....

My point is that Dave may appear normal to the youtube crowd because he KNOWS how to communicate to us. He speaks a code he knows well and we understand well. But I can see some moments during his videos where ticks and pauses would lead the casual observer to think there may be something wrong upstairs. Then again, what person on Youtube these days isn't a psychopath in some way or another! Seen Tosh.0?

[ineffableone]

My point is that Dave may appear normal to the youtube crowd because he KNOWS how to communicate to us. He speaks a code he knows well and we understand well. But I can see some moments during his videos where ticks and pauses would lead the casual observer to think there may be something wrong upstairs. Then again, what person on Youtube these days isn't a psychopath in some way or another! Seen Tosh.0?

LOL Well Dave is a serious character for sure. He has an odd sense of humor etc, but I do believe him in saying he had no serious thought toward suicide. The whole situation really sucks and I feel for Dave, especially since he doesn't really have the cash to afford a good attorney. The old issue of the innocent not able to afford the proof to their innocence.

LOL honestly, a prepper suicidal is sort of an odd thought. Why prep if your gaonna kill yourself. LOL

[ineffableone]

So I finally got to see all of the new episodes. I don't have cable so had to catch it another way. At a friends on their tivo.

Not bad, though I definitely don't like the way Nat Geo tries to force people into boxes and portray them. All the folks seemed likable to me.

The Huston girl seemed like a great example of a newbie prepper who might not know it all but was working hard to get things started and learn as much as she could. She was also a good example as a budget prepper.

The lone wolf was a great example of the bushcraft styled prepper.

Dave of course was a perfect hillbilly prepper, but also showed the importance of communication and HAM preppers.

While I disliked the portrait of the Doris Day of Doom as an unarmed liberal, I liked her and her set up. I do know plenty of liberals with guns, hell I know a lot of hippies with guns. While I think her nieve to not want to arm themselves, I bet the folks in town with guns would protect the hell out of her and her family.

Over all, I think while Nat Geo tried to pick apart the people, and make them seem loney and the "doomsday" they were prepping for seem unlikely, the people in general did a good job of sounding decent and knowledgeable.

The so called financial/disaster experts who safely stayed off screen to say EMP was not likely, New Madrid Earthquake was not likely, financial collapse was not likely, peek oil was not likely were obviously never going to say a disaster was going to happen no matter how likely. An EMP from the sun has 100% chance of happening, we just don't know when. The New Madrid fault will go off, just when. Oil is most likely already at peek, so we have nowhere but down to go now. The economy is in the toilet, don't tell me it isn't likely it is happening.

As for Engineer 775 ans Southernprepper1 who are the prepper experts who give the rating of how prepped the folks are. They seem to do the best they can with the video they are shown. "As one couple said, we didn't show you everything" Over all they seem to point out the weak points and complement when it is deserved. It seems good constructive criticism. Though it would be cool if they got the chance to go visit and talk with the folks.

While the control of Nat Geo seems to be trying to make a joke of preppers, the show has some good stuff and worth watching in my opinion. As long as people realise not to take what they see as too realistic as to how people are portrayed.

[ruralranger]

Suggestions:
Watch it for ideas, not to critique, you'll live longer!
Expect the loony slant and ignore it. All normal people can be made to look loony, especially on a loony subject. Cat killer was especially nutty though. Yeah, sure, whore yourself you fruitcake!
No guns = death by stranger. Check politics at the door when you are prepping to outlive nonpreppers.

I was entertained and enjoyed the show, mainly because I also considered them crazy - for being on tv.

Agreed,there were a lot of things we noticed & are learning ,as i have said ,learn from others mistakes is cheaper than learning from you own... yea, nat geo is tv , ratings are where the $$$ are ... nuff said on subject about dave,i liked this dude ! He seems to be a straight up person , seems to speak his mind ,sarcastic and intelligent to a point,basically a good ole boy lol although with his medical problems and i believe , lonely , he may appear ,to some ,loony but i cant see someone whom is a prepper committing suicide... I hope some out there can give him a hand ... HKTackDriver ,we did some evaluating too & came up with the same viewpoint as you....watch & learn [to be fore warned is to be fore armed] [a nods as good as a wink to a blind horse]

[catalyst]

that chick in those shorts gave me nightmares. out of all of the families... i think i liked the gardening couple with the apple press the best. They lacked solar preps, but i liked how they actually just turned it into a hobby / way of life, and not into something cracked out and ridiculous.

the heavyset self-defense instructor also seemed a bit awkward. she was creepy friendly, like deep down she is a gourmet cook / serial killer, and that bothers me.

the botanist also impressed me. i kept thinking how neat it'd be to see him in a dual survival episode with cody lundin.

I think to me they were pretty looney as well.

I have seen normal farmers with as much skills, equipment and goods as they did and farmers make that a way of life.

These people did not even believe in weapons or defense items. Granted, you do not need a weapons cache with enough ammo to defend Ft. Knox, but something along the lines of self defense even a handgun per person or a few rifles would be a good starting point. They did not believe in having ANY self defense, they said they would just "win" over any gangs, rapists or thugs with their cooking and goods.

Those kind of people are seriously out of touch with the rest of the world.

but they arent farmers. like i said, for them, this is a hobby. they had friends and neighbors over helping them learn. i dont know if i'd classify them as "preppers" as much as I would as self sufficient living enthusiasts, but thats on the show's producers.

Not everyone is a fan of firearms. I won't say I agree with their choice, but I hardly find them loony for not taking up arms. Guns simply aren;t for everyone. Hopefully if things do collapse, they can trade skills for protection.

[zeropresence]

I was approached by a production company about appearing on this 2nd gen of the show. I quickly said no thanks. I don't think they are trying to give preppers a bad rap, rather I think the only people willing to appear on national tv aren't sometimes the most solid and well rounded people.

Just finished watching "Bullets, Lots of Bullets".

1. First texas couple shot .22LR at a steel storage container as a "test" to their home? This hurts my head for many reasons. They had a lot of supplies, but that one part killed it for me.

2. The second Christopher guy in LA was lacking for many reasons including his BOB. You don't need more of my opinion on this.

3. The girl... umm

[landser]

I was approached by a production company about appearing on this 2nd gen of the show. I quickly said no thanks. I don't think they are trying to give preppers a bad rap, rather I think the only people willing to appear on national tv aren't sometimes the most solid and well rounded people.

Just finished watching "Bullets, Lots of Bullets".

1. First texas couple shot .22LR at a steel storage container as a "test" to their home? This hurts my head for many reasons. They had a lot of supplies, but that one part killed it for me.

2. The second Christopher guy in LA was lacking for many reasons including his BOB. You don't need more of my opinion on this.

3. The girl... umm

Wow realy because Chris Nyerges has tought like 30k people survival skills has written prolificly for himself and jim benson and is actualy a pretty smart guy I met him a time or two in california and i think a lot of people have respect for Nyerges.