There may be some genetic component to being a worrier or having a nervous disposition that might cause a person to drift into preparedness. But this same personality trait may end up with a person preparing for an event that may never come or a threat that exists mostly in their head. I can interpret the foil hat wearing loony as a person who is prepared for mind control rays that haven't been developed yet. Are they ahead of their time or are they spinning their treads?

People tend to adapt to their perceived environment.