Some level of emergency preparation seems like common sense. A perhaps more interesting question might be: who did you come to decide on your current level of preparation?

For me, the combined concerns of budget, energy, and my area's likely risks have led me to prepare only for the short term threats. This level of preparation seems like something that almost everyone can and should do. However, I don't think this is all a rational process. Why do some prepare for the long term as well, while others worry only about the short term? I think psychology is involved.