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

[ineffableone]

Update to Engineer775's video on local media exposure. His POV on the local new story just aired about him and Southernprepper1

Prepping and the Media Part 2


For the actual new report visit http://www.wyff4.com/r-video/30562895/detail.html
They seem to have done a pretty good job and put a decent view forward.

[majorhavoc]

So you're watching the producer's opinion (because that's what the final cut really is), yet you're using that and passing judgement on the people in the video, even though you're only seeing the footage you were allowed to see, and then discounting any followup explanations by anyone who was originally taped?

. . . . I could film your life, taping only the stupid things you do on a daily basis, it would make you look like a moron, but that doesn't truly mean you are one. Sometimes, there's more to the story.

You could be right Catalyst, the follow up reporting may be an attempt to set the record straight and correct distortions created by the show's producers.

MikeM could also be right, that those people realize how ridiculous they appeared on national TV and are attempting damage control.

The truth is, none of us know. None of us can know. This is the inherent nature of Reality TV, or any other form of commercial programming that offers purportedly non-fictional content for entertainment purposes. The bluring of truth and entertainment is so rampant, it's almost pointless to argue what the actual truth is.

Even though this particular program is obstensibly about exactly what we gather as a forum community to discuss, we are actually the worst possible audience for this kind of drivel. Precisely because we take it seriously, we bring these expectaitons of veracity to a medium that everyone else on the planet watches with a wink and a nudge as far as believing it is "real."

Shows like that are great for a laugh, and they even can launch some meaningful discussion about some survival and prep issues, but tryng to establish who those TV characters really are is just a waste of time.

[USMCSergeant]

I completely agree that a film show can make a sane person appear to be crazy, but some people we've seen have done nothing to help themselves by their actions or words. When you say things like, "This stick thrown sideways has the same force as a shotgun." or, "Here is your umbilical cord, you're now a grown man." I can see how you would appear to be crazy to others.

Also wearing buck skin, eating roadkill, keeping umbilical cords... seems extreme to some.

I do think the guy has skills, solid survival skills. Good on him for being prepared.

[survivaljoe]

Even Mr blew his own thumb off, is probably no where near like he was portrayed... (and I bet the producer's got wood when they got that footage...  )

Wait, you didn't hear!? He was offered $1000 to do that

[ineffableone]

A bit of a correction her for people about the throwing stick vs shotgun comment. The actual comment he made was

"This is as powerful as a shotgun"

Not that a thrown stick has the force of a shotgun, but that it is as powerful as one. Now we don't know what he said before or after this, but I would speculate he was saying that a thrown stick is basically his version of a defensive shotgun. I think the creative editing team of Nat Geo took that comment out of context to make it sound looney.

As for the umbilical cord giving, I see that as a very positive coming of age ceremony. While not something I would do personally, I do think we have little to no true coming of age ceremonies these days. I think this sort of ritual can be very good for a group to have, and while it looks odd to people outside it can have great meaning to those involved.

I do think the guy should think about actually having some guns on reserve though, he obviously knows how to use them. While training to use other weapons is a good idea, having a few guns on hand would be wise. Sure ammo etc might be finite, but realistically in the beginning of a SHTF you will be going up against people with guns not sticks.


It seems like the whole bunker developer was more just an ad for the new Doomsday Bunkers show coming on Discovery channel. While a cool segment, I felt it was a bit incomplete in showing prepping since the thing is not even finished. What happens if SHTF right now, are you ready? Do you have a plan now? Sort of wish they had mentioned that short fall in his planning.


As for the woman who thinks martial law and living next to the capitol is a good idea, LOL

If the troops are gonna clear anyone out it will be in her neighborhood. If there is gonna be unrest and riots, it will be in her neighborhood. That is a terrible location. #1 advice for her is get out of that location. Utah in general is a decent place due to the large amount of Mormons who are prepped. So if she moved to a neighborhood not within goverment office range she would have a better chance. LOL

[MVegas]

Is it just me, or does buying a condo in a hole in the ground with a whole bunch of people I don't know if I can trust sound like a completely asinine idea?

As for buckskin guy, yeah, he was a bit wacky, but also came off to me as really likeable. Very engaged with his family, and enthusiastic about them learning what he had to teach. Struck me as the kind of guy that so long as you were to treat him with respect, you'd always receive respect. Very much a Mainer.
I think out of absolutely everyone I've seen on the show yet, he and his family would be my pick for neighbors.

(And yeah, I'd probably try to talk to him about the firearm thing.)

[ineffableone]

Is it just me, or does buying a condo in a hole in the ground with a whole bunch of people I don't know if I can trust sound like a completely asinine idea?

There are a lot of those shared bunkers popping up around the country, and probably around the world.

Vivos is the one I know the most about. http://www.terravivos.com/ They have been building a few different shelter/bunkers with plans on making shelters around the country near to most of the major population centers.


Vivos building plans will be built at 20 point locations across America (see map pic above) and each Vivos can accommodate about 200 people, which means the total of all Vivos will be able to accommodate 4,000 people. Because of limited space, so hunt list.

When completed, the Vivos underground network of shelters will be strategically located around the world, within reach of the major metropolitan areas they serve. It is our goal to build a network of hardened shelters able to accommodate 6,000 people, or about 1 in every 1 million people on Earth. These secret and very strategic locations are located away from potential ground-zero blast areas, at the highest area altitudes, and in the best surroundings of nature. Our criteria includes proximity, elevation, land contour, accessibility, privacy, security, but most importantly - survivability! Each Vivos site is totally self-sufficient, with deep water wells, on-site fuel for power, food and storage for all supplies, sewage systems, and the appropriate security measures.

There are a lot of these types of condo shelter/bunkers but you don't see a lot of it due to OPSEC.

[MVegas]

Is it just me, or does buying a condo in a hole in the ground with a whole bunch of people I don't know if I can trust sound like a completely asinine idea?

There are a lot of those shared bunkers popping up around the country, and probably around the world.

(snip)

There are a lot of these types of condo shelter/bunkers but you don't see a lot of it due to OPSEC.

Oh I don't doubt that he isn't the only guy doing this. And folks are welcome to spend their money however they like, regardless of my feelings on the matter.
......But I'll go ahead and take my chances

[ineffableone]

Is it just me, or does buying a condo in a hole in the ground with a whole bunch of people I don't know if I can trust sound like a completely asinine idea?

There are a lot of those shared bunkers popping up around the country, and probably around the world.

(snip)

There are a lot of these types of condo shelter/bunkers but you don't see a lot of it due to OPSEC.

Oh I don't doubt that he isn't the only guy doing this. And folks are welcome to spend their money however they like, regardless of my feelings on the matter.
......But I'll go ahead and take my chances

I think most shared bunker folks are those that don't have the skill sets to be true preppers. They rather use their money to buy into secure locations with all the gear pre stocked for them.

[SeerSavant]

I hope I'm not the only one getting a certain vibe about the Vivo Vaults... Wonder which one has the Nuka Cola machines?

[Arkane]

Anyone else notice a lot of those Vivo vaults line up with major fault lines?

[Doc Maker]

If I have one take away from DP, it's to keep the preps a secret. I am currently a television producer on a similar network and I can assure you that NatGeo is not blameless in the style of the show. They're called "network notes" and they're mandatory, on ALL networks, before a show will air. The choice of production company could be one of two things, the concept was developed at NG and farmed out to one of their regulars (they are notoriously nepotistic.) Or, the concept was pitched by the current production company and refined by NG. Either way, you can bet that prepping shows were pitched before this one. They were probably too serious for the network execs.

One thing that troubles me, is the description of the writer on set. If accurate, it breaks all of the rules of documentary filmmaking. When I write an episode, I get a transcript of all dialog on tape along with a DVD of the raw footage with timecode. I usually end up cutting down the information to make it fit into the time slot. For example, I will take an extended description of a widget, given by the person who uses it. I'll boil it down to the essentials and write that in a line for the host but I always have to stay on topic. Then again, I know my subject, I specialize in my field. I'm willing to bet that this guy is a hired gun who doesn't have a real understanding of the culture. his last job was probably "Toddlers & Tiaras."

[ineffableone]

Anyone else notice a lot of those Vivo vaults line up with major fault lines?

Probably due to them planning to serve the people fleeing those earthquakes.

It is not like they are actually posting the actual map of their locations. Those are general locations, for service to major metropolitan areas. Also, they have not yet built all their shelters. They Have 3 built right now I think. The map is their plans to build, not exact locations.

BTW their name is Vivos, with an s on the end. Just to let ya know.

[gelgoog]

uhg, too many hi-points in these episodes. People drop $100,000+ on prep and all they have is a hi-point pistol/carbine?

[BigDaddyTX]

uhg, too many hi-points in these episodes. People drop $100,000+ on prep and all they have is a hi-point pistol/carbine?

There are plenty of prep websites/podcasts out there that advocate the hi-point. To be fair, if you get a good one they're just fine although I wouldn't personally trust my life to one. Of course a lot of those same webbage tells you to get a single shot rifle or mosin because an AR15 is a poodle shooter made of plastic and an AK will just waste rounds since you can't possibly not do a mag dump. People are stupid.

[proteus]

Well I have to give it to the Nat Geo recruiting staff...they sure can find the craziest SOB peppers there are. Just when I think that there couldnt be any crazier people on the show they find Mr. Seed guy...just WOW I think its a good idea to be prepped for an emergency but it almost makes me wanna stop prepping just not to be associated with whack jobs like these people...

[CipherNameRaVeN]

Just finished watching the show.
1st guy was great! By great I mean Normal. His plan and preps seemed just fine.
2nd guy... I am not even going to discuss that whack job.
3rd guy... There are better option than a freaking cart. The guy is a welder. He could have attached to a bike or something. Floating cart? Dude, at least put a freaking life vest on your kids.

[CipherNameRaVeN]

Well I have to give it to the Nat Geo recruiting staff...they sure can find the craziest SOB peppers there are. Just when I think that there couldnt be any crazier people on the show they find Mr. Seed guy...just WOW I think its a good idea to be prepped for an emergency but it almost makes me wanna stop prepping just not to be associated with whack jobs like these people...

You know, I almost said the same thing to my wife. If we even mention any kind of interest in prepping, people will laugh and bring up the seed guy. The guy was not even a prepper. He was a seed herder. Did he even collect any water? If he is so worried about radiation fall out, did he even prep any radiation free water?..
Why am I even discussing him?

[Smitherman]

I think Mr. SeedGuy may have a sideline business growing some herbal...um...stuff....

[proteus]

Well I have to give it to the Nat Geo recruiting staff...they sure can find the craziest SOB peppers there are. Just when I think that there couldnt be any crazier people on the show they find Mr. Seed guy...just WOW I think its a good idea to be prepped for an emergency but it almost makes me wanna stop prepping just not to be associated with whack jobs like these people...

You know, I almost said the same thing to my wife. If we even mention any kind of interest in prepping, people will laugh and bring up the seed guy. The guy was not even a prepper. He was a seed herder. Did he even collect any water? If he is so worried about radiation fall out, did he even prep any radiation free water?..
Why am I even discussing him?

Its like a horrible car accident you cant help but look and discuss...its just WOW... its so sad its funny to the point of being sad again.

[gelgoog]

Why do I feel like some of these preppers are actually just hoarders disguising their neuroticism?

Prepping is good an all but $300,000 on prep? That is a lot of cash. At what point is being prepared cutting into living your life?


Granted if I had won $200 million in the lottery I would build a sweet castle stocked with all the goodies I could imagine. But working your typical middle class job.....um no. I will prep for natural disasters, which is what I can afford to do.

[Mister Dark]

You know, the buckskin dude should start his own series of vids on YouTube. In a year or two, he would be out with Canterbury and Lundin! Seriously though, to me he seems like a hardcore woodsman, ready and able to fade back into the hills with his whole family, if the need arose. Guys like him (and we have several here on ZS) have the best chance of surviving whatever may come, in my honest opinion.

As far as the overall show is concerned, I consider it a great "talking point" with neighbors and coworkers. Nothing more.

[scortez]

ya that seed dood really eff things up with my credibility at my house as i'm the only one that's awake and see the big picture. I do need to up my food rotation game seeing tonight's eps

[catalyst]

uhg, too many hi-points in these episodes. People drop $100,000+ on prep and all they have is a hi-point pistol/carbine?

There are plenty of prep websites/podcasts out there that advocate the hi-point. To be fair, if you get a good one they're just fine although I wouldn't personally trust my life to one. Of course a lot of those same webbage tells you to get a single shot rifle or mosin because an AR15 is a poodle shooter made of plastic and an AK will just waste rounds since you can't possibly not do a mag dump. People are stupid.

I have one. The C-9 - 9mm handgun. 3k rounds through it - not one FTF or one FTE - never had failures during break-in, etc. Heck, I didn't even clean it until after 1200 rounds because its such a PITA to take apart. $150 bucks, Made in Ohio, lifetime warranty - yeah I'd buy another.

Its a brick, and the single stack mag capacity stinks, but I'd trust my life to it 100%.


The seed guy... he looked nuts. Something about his mannerisms and his eyes just cried out, "free candy for kids". Maybe it was his glasses... I don't know, but he didn't strike me as "normal". Then again, his buddy andrew also kind of struck me as slightly "off", too. This is the first 2 on the show that gave me bad vibes.