JRE #1515 - Dr. Bradley Garrett

28-Jul-20

Podcast Topics

Podcast Topics: #1515 – Dr. Bradley Garrett

This podcast delves deep into the world of prepping and doomsday communities, featuring a conversation with Dr. Bradley Garrett, a social and cultural geographer who spent years researching and immersing himself in these subcultures. Provocative topics include the psychological drivers behind prepping, the role of conspiracy theories, and the potential for societal collapse. Underlying themes explore the evolving nature of human resilience, the role of technology in shaping our anxieties, and the ongoing tension between individualism and collective action.

1. The Psychology of Prepping

Prepping is often rooted in a desire for control and a sense of security in an increasingly uncertain world.
Preppers grapple with anxieties surrounding potential disasters, ranging from natural calamities to societal collapse.
The act of prepping itself can provide a sense of agency and purpose, helping individuals cope with feelings of helplessness.
While some view prepping as excessive paranoia, others see it as practical foresight, highlighting the need for individual responsibility in a complex world.

2. The Prepper Subculture and Its Critics

Prepping has become increasingly mainstream, with a growing number of Americans identifying as preppers.
The prepper subculture encompasses a diverse range of individuals with varying levels of commitment and resources.
Critics often associate prepping with conspiracy theories and extremist views, leading to mischaracterizations of the subculture.
The podcast challenges these stereotypes, highlighting the wide spectrum of motivations and beliefs within the prepper community.

3. The Role of Conspiracy Theories in Prepping

Conspiracy theories often serve as explanatory frameworks for complex events and anxieties.
The podcast explores how conspiracy theories, while often perceived as irrational, can provide a sense of coherence and understanding in a chaotic world.
Prepping can be seen as a practical response to perceived threats, even if those threats are based on conspiracy theories.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing the underlying anxieties driving the embrace of conspiracy theories.

4. The Impact of the Pandemic on Prepping

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified anxieties about societal collapse and the fragility of supply chains.
Preppers experienced a surge in interest and validation as their concerns about pandemic preparedness became more widely recognized.
The pandemic exposed the potential vulnerabilities of a highly interconnected and centralized world.
The podcast explores how the pandemic has shifted public perceptions of prepping, moving it from the fringes to a more mainstream discussion.

5. Doomsday Communities and Their Strategies

The podcast explores the emergence of various doomsday communities, each with their own unique strategies for survival.
Some communities focus on self-sufficiency, building off-grid communities with sustainable resources.
Others invest in elaborate bunkers and secure facilities, seeking refuge from potential threats.
The podcast highlights the diverse approaches to prepping, ranging from individualistic self-reliance to collective survival strategies.

6. The Potential for Societal Collapse

The podcast acknowledges the potential for catastrophic events that could disrupt modern society.
Topics like nuclear war, climate change, and pandemic outbreaks are discussed as potential catalysts for societal collapse.
The podcast explores the consequences of such events, including economic disruption, resource scarcity, and social upheaval.
Preppers, in their own way, are grappling with these anxieties and seeking ways to prepare for a future that may be significantly different from the present.

7. The Rise of the Dread Merchants

The podcast introduces the concept of “Dread Merchants,” who exploit anxieties about societal collapse for profit.
These individuals often promote expensive survival products and services, capitalizing on fears and insecurities.
The podcast cautions against falling prey to the fearmongering tactics of these entrepreneurs.
It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and a balanced approach to prepping, avoiding excessive spending and unrealistic expectations.

8. Prepping and the Government

The podcast explores the historical relationship between prepping and the government, particularly during the Cold War era.
The Mormon church, with its emphasis on preparedness and self-reliance, played a significant role in shaping government policies surrounding nuclear preparedness.
The podcast discusses the tensions between individual preparedness and government-led disaster response.
It raises questions about the government’s role in providing security and its ability to effectively respond to large-scale disasters.

9. The Role of Technology in Shaping Anxieties

The podcast examines how technology, while offering solutions for prepping, also contributes to our anxieties.
The constant stream of negative news and information online can create a sense of perpetual crisis, even for events not directly impacting individuals.
Social media platforms can amplify anxieties and polarization, leading to tribalism and a breakdown in communication.
The podcast urges a more nuanced and critical approach to consuming information online, emphasizing the need for perspective and context.

10. The Impact of Social Media on Collective Behavior

The podcast explores how social media platforms can influence collective behavior, both positive and negative.
The rapid spread of information and the ease of organizing online have led to both social movements and outbreaks of violence.
The podcast discusses the potential for social media to exacerbate anxieties and polarization, hindering constructive dialogue and collaboration.
It highlights the importance of responsible use of social media and the need for critical thinking and media literacy.

11. The Implications of Alien Contact

The podcast touches on the increasingly discussed topic of UFO sightings and the potential for alien contact.
The Pentagon’s recent admission of possessing “off-world vehicles” has heightened public interest and speculation.
The podcast explores the potential social and political implications of alien contact, ranging from widespread panic to global unity.
It suggests that the government may be strategically releasing information about UFOs to manage public anxieties and potential disruptions.

12. The Limits of Human Understanding

The podcast acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in the face of complex and unpredictable events.
The “Black Swan” theory, as discussed in the podcast, highlights the inevitability of unexpected events that disrupt our assumptions and forecasts.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and remaining open to the possibility of unforeseen circumstances.
It challenges the tendency to oversimplify complex issues and the risks of relying on limited data and models.

13. The Dangers of Cancel Culture

The podcast discusses the dangers of “cancel culture,” highlighting its potential to stifle dissent and critical thinking.
It explores how the fear of public ridicule and online backlash can prevent individuals from expressing controversial or unpopular opinions.
The podcast advocates for a more tolerant and open-minded approach to discourse, emphasizing the value of intellectual freedom and diverse perspectives.
It stresses the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and avoiding the impulsive judgments that characterize cancel culture.

14. The Power of Ethnographic Research

The podcast showcases the value of ethnographic research, where researchers immerse themselves in different cultures to gain firsthand understanding.
Dr. Garrett’s own experiences with urban explorers and preppers demonstrate the power of observation and empathy in understanding diverse perspectives.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of moving beyond stereotypes and engaging with individuals on their own terms.
It highlights the ethical responsibility of researchers to accurately portray the complexities of different communities and avoid mischaracterizations.

15. The Importance of Historical Context

The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context when examining contemporary events and anxieties.
The Cold War era, with its nuclear threat, shaped many of the anxieties and beliefs driving the prepper subculture.
The podcast explores the cyclical nature of human history, acknowledging that past disasters and societal shifts can offer insights into current anxieties.
It encourages a more comprehensive understanding of the historical forces that have shaped our current world and the challenges we face.

16. The Search for Meaning and Purpose

The podcast explores how prepping can be seen as a search for meaning and purpose in a world that can feel chaotic and uncertain.
The desire to build self-reliance and create a secure future can provide individuals with a sense of agency and control.
The podcast acknowledges the psychological need for meaning and purpose, even in the face of potential disasters.
It suggests that the search for meaning can be a powerful motivator, driving individuals to take action and create a better future.

17. The Importance of Community and Connection

The podcast explores the role of community and connection in navigating difficult times.
Preppers, while often portrayed as solitary survivalists, often build communities based on shared values and anxieties.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of fostering human connections, even in the face of potential societal collapse.
It suggests that building resilient communities based on compassion, empathy, and collaboration is crucial for navigating future challenges.

18. The Need for Open Dialogue and Critical Thinking

The podcast advocates for open dialogue and critical thinking as essential tools for navigating a complex and uncertain world.
It encourages engaging with diverse perspectives, challenging assumptions, and avoiding hasty judgments.
The podcast highlights the dangers of echo chambers and the importance of seeking out information from multiple sources.
It stresses the need for intellectual humility, acknowledging the limitations of our knowledge and remaining open to new information and possibilities.

19. The Evolving Nature of Human Resilience

The podcast explores the enduring capacity of human beings to adapt and survive in the face of adversity.
Preppers, in their own way, are demonstrating a form of resilience, seeking to mitigate risks and prepare for potential disruptions.
The podcast suggests that human resilience is not static but evolves in response to changing circumstances and challenges.
It emphasizes the importance of adapting to new realities, learning from past experiences, and developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

20. The Importance of Perspective and Balance

The podcast encourages a balanced perspective on prepping, avoiding both excessive fearmongering and naive denial.
It emphasizes the importance of taking a practical approach to preparedness, focusing on common sense measures and avoiding extreme actions.
The podcast stresses the importance of recognizing the psychological drivers behind prepping, while also acknowledging the potential benefits of thoughtful preparation.
It encourages a healthy sense of realism, recognizing the challenges we face while also maintaining a belief in human ingenuity and resilience.

Memorable Quotes

“It’s not necessarily about giving people voice, but it is about giving people space and time.” – Garrett emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding when engaging with individuals who hold different views.
“We are creating our own vulnerabilities… and it’s usually in the name of economics.” – Garrett highlights the unintended consequences of economic efficiency and globalization on societal resilience.
“The world is in constant chaos. These disasters are unfolding. And then, of course, they unfold because, you know, we’re all thinking we’re all expecting them.” – Garrett explores the self-fulfilling prophecy of our anxieties and how our perceptions can shape reality.
“We don’t have an equivalent ability to manage that type of information. So it’s this new thing, but we don’t have the tools in terms of, like, this the understanding and psychological preparedness.” – Garrett discusses the disconnect between our ability to access and share information and our capacity to process and manage it.
“The problem is not them and what they’re doing. The problem is the context in which is driving them to…” – Garrett emphasizes the need to understand the social and historical forces shaping individual behaviors and anxieties.