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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
You have probably seen in movies or TV shows heroes who have a stash of canned goods, generators, and weapons in case of a disaster. This is not just a figment of screenwriters' imagination — in real life, there is a movement known as preppers (from English preppers, "those who prepare").
Who are preppers
Preppers are people who consciously prepare for potential crisis situations: from natural disasters and global epidemics to economic collapses or even the end of the world. Their philosophy is based on self-sufficiency and the readiness to survive without the help of the state or modern comforts of civilization.
Where the movement comes from
The prepper movement formed in the USA in the second half of the 20th century. Its roots trace back to the Cold War era, when the fear of nuclear threat drove people to build bunkers and stockpile supplies. In the 1970s and 80s, growing distrust of the government and economic crises further propelled the development of this phenomenon. Over time, the ideas of "survival" spread across the globe, taking various forms — from ecological initiatives to radical survival scenarios after an apocalypse.
What preppers do
- Stockpile food and water for several weeks or months.
- Create storage with medications, hygiene products, and fuel.
- Learn survival skills — starting fires, hunting, field medicine.
- Build bunkers or equip basements to have a safe space in case of emergencies.
- Some also purchase weapons for self-defense.
Preppers in culture and cinema
The idea of living "after a disaster" has become a popular theme in mass culture. Examples:
- “10 Cloverfield Lane” — the character played by John Goodman has set up a bunker and years' worth of supplies, preparing for an external threat.
- “The Last of Us” (Episode 3) — the character Bill, a typical prepper, creates a well-fortified area with traps, his own power supply, and supplies.
- “Blast from the Past” (1999) — the father of the main character, fearing nuclear war, builds a bunker and keeps the family underground for decades.
- “Leave the World Behind” (2023) — the film features characters who have their own plans and resources in case of a global collapse.
- Documentary series “Doomsday Preppers” (National Geographic) showcases real people preparing for natural disasters, economic crises, or war.
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