It was bound to happen. The movies are taking prepping mainstream, but not in a good way.
First, however, let’s talk about how we got to now. For starters, there were several television shows, starting with The Colony which brought together a dozen or so people from different backgrounds to survive some make-believe survival scenario. I watched a handful of shows but the plot got dumber and dumber when they had to confront outsiders but had rules of engagement which just brought the “realistic” possibilities to a screeching halt; I doubt the show lasted long and if it did, it shouldn’t have.
Then there was Doomsday Preppers which is arguably THE show that kicked off the America’s unhealthy fascination with preppers. As hooked as I was for a season or two (mostly because I was jealous of their setups) I realize the show has done less for those of us who identify as survivalists than it could have. Honestly, we just look a bit crazy as a result. So much for television getting something right.
Shortly thereafter aired Doomsday Bunkers which didn’t seem to garner much interest from… anyone. C’mon folks, how paranoid do you think we are? Which reminds me: Anybody got a bunker for sale?
Then came Doomsday Castle which features a man trying to literally build a castle in the middle of nowhere for his family and spending a small fortune to do so. Sadly, this too has turned into a family drama. I don’t think I finished watching this one either. I wonder if he ever got it built?
I’d imagine there are other examples and no doubt there are plenty of post-apocalyptic movies too (The Road comes to mind) but I’m taking issue with the premise of the upcoming movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane, which seems to depict a survivalist specifically as being a nut job. Here’s one synopsis from Wikipedia:
“After surviving a car accident, a woman wakes up in an underground cellar, where most of the film takes place. She fears she has been abducted by a survivalist, who tells her he saved her life, and that a worldwide chemical attack has left Earth’s surface uninhabitable. Uncertain what to believe, she decides she must escape, no matter what dangers she may face outside.”
Ok, that’s not so bad. Maybe the survivalist turns out to be right? Hmmm… my spidey-sense is telling me otherwise.
The folks at Flixster bring it up a notch:
“A young woman wakes up after a terrible accident to find that she’s locked in a cellar with a doomsday prepper, who insists that he saved her life and that the world outside is uninhabitable following an apocalyptic catastrophe. Uncertain what to believe, the woman soon determines that she must escape at any cost.”
Well, there it is: doomsday prepper. There tye are capitalizing on America’s unhealthy fascination, I’d say. And, apparently 98% of the people (on Flixster, anyway) want to see the move too.
Survivalist.
Doomsday Prepper.
They both mean the same thing these days: crazy, nut job, paranoid, anti-“normal” person.
We are officially being painted as outsiders and it’s becoming commonplace and acceptable to all in America. It’s really just “par for the courrse” now. Heck, you may as well call me a Scientologist while you’re at it. 😉
Sadly, when being cast as an outsider is acceptable enough that movies can make you crazy… that’s never good. I think it’s time for a name change, what about you?
Let’s see, the term “prepper” is no good, “survivalist” and “survivalism” are shot too… anything with “doomsday” or “apocalypse” is bad for sure.
Oh, I’ve got it: how about Patriotic Hopeful?
It’s shows that I both care deeply about America AND I look forward to a future. After all, that’s what this is truly all about. Being hopeful for a future, right? Yes, we have to prepare to get through disasters big and small but it’s really about expecting something more out of life… for you, your children, and our country.
Please, media, stop painting us as crazy. If anything we’re the most sane folks in America. At least that’s what I keep telling my wife.
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