I too make the rounds of the sites, and each one makes me appreciate ETS a little more. Many of them have some good content, but I'm interested in survival, not survivalism. Despite all the bluster & bravado I think many people would find, if they ever were in a "PAW/TeotWaWKI" situation, that merely existing on for it's own wouldn't necessarily have much appeal. I am a part of a society, a civilization. If that civilization was gone, along with most of the human race, and wasn't coming back, I'm probably not real interesting in fighting the cockroaches for scrap. Not to mention that it's not particularly realistic- I mean, C'mon! If there's a nuclear war, eco-catastrophe or asteroid impact that kills off the bulk of the human race how do you really propose to prepare for that?

Worst case thinking can be insidious. In small doses it serves as a reality check, a warning that the comforts and conveniences that we take for granted can be fragile. But if you get your utilities disconnected because you spent all your money on a generator, isn't that sort of a false economy? I'm all for being prepared but I try to prepare for the scenarios I'm most likely to face. After all, I can't afford to build a 100' deep concrete bunker and stock it with 2 years food and frozen DNA samples of 2 of each of Earth's animals! But I can keep a couple days food and water on hand, and a lantern, matches, kerosene and candles around in case a T-storm knocks out my power (one summer if happended 5 times, the longest for about 6 hours).

Great post, Art!