
Doomsday prepping has been a popular subculture for decades. From bomb shelters to canned goods, preppers have been preparing for catastrophic events like natural disasters and societal collapse. The rise of the zombie apocalypse and post-apocalyptic fiction has led to the reemergence of this subculture, with a new generation of doomsday preppers focusing on survival in a world like that of the popular video game, DayZ.
DayZ is a survival game set in a post-Soviet state in which players must navigate through an open-world environment filled with dangers such as zombies, hunger, dehydration, and radiation poisoning. While the game itself is not real life, it has brought about a renewed interest in doomsday prepping among younger generations.
One reason for this renewed interest is the growing awareness of natural disasters and their potentially catastrophic effects. According to FEMA, nearly 90 percent of natural disasters in the United States are caused by weather-related events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. These disasters can disrupt power grids and leave people stranded without food or water for days or even weeks.
Another reason is the increasing unpredictability of global politics. The threat of war between world powers or international terrorism raises significant concern about what could happen should these threats become a reality.
The popularity of shows like “Doomsday Preppers” also plays into this renewed interest. While some aspects of these shows are exaggerated for entertainment purposes, they still provide valuable information on how to prepare for worst-case scenarios.
In addition to educating themselves on survival techniques and stockpiling supplies such as food, water filters or purification tablets, medical supplies like bandages or antibiotics, gas masks with extra filters which can help players survive nuclear fallout from possible warzones .
While some may argue that doomsday prepping is unnecessary hysteria fuelled by fiction games like DayZ, it can be argued that it is better to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. In an uncertain world filled with unpredictable natural disasters and political unrest, having the knowledge and supplies necessary to survive in a post-apocalyptic scenario may not only save lives, but restore a sense of control and confidence in one’s own ability to face challenges.
In conclusion, doomsday prepping has been reborn through the lens of video games like DayZ. However, this renewed interest is more than just a hobby or entertainment. It’s a way for people to feel prepared and in control in an unpredictable world where natural disasters and political unrest are more prevalent than ever before. By educating themselves on survival techniques and stockpiling necessary supplies, doomsday preppers can improve their chances of survival should worst-case scenarios become a reality.