i'm sure its been discussed before, but lately (especially with all the bird flu coverage) i've been thinking about how much people's hysteria and panic can make situations so much worse than they really are. basically, i've reasoned that if most people were even basically prepared for interruption of basic services in life and disruption of their basic daily routine, that in general, there wouldn't be nearly as much overwhelming fear about whatever might happen. and that if something were to happen, it could be dealt with efficiently and effectively, thus virtually eliminating the scenes of chaos (so familiar in movies) during times of severe uncertainty. and that this lessening of general anxiety could result in, dare i say it, a more rational, secure, and overall, better society? what i'm saying is, since preparation makes all the difference in the world, and its so much cheaper in cost than the results of mass hysteria, why isn't there more emphasis placed on preparation? it doesn't make any sense? people talk about bird flu and terrorism like it could happen tomorrow yet they don't even have a working flashlight or water to last till tomorrow. it just doesn't make sense to me. why aren't people taught to be prepared?