The Psychology of Fear

[Paul]

Walking round a "show", I was intrigued by all the stalls selling a wide range of 'unusual' equipment for preppers and survival.
From BOV gas conversions to pressure cookers built into solar ovens, the "must have" gadgets seems never ending.

Yet there was an under note to some sales pitches which concerned me.

Exploiting "Fear" was built into some of the spiel.

I started to listen more closely and I've been quite shocked about how this emotion is used to make money.

Four examples come to mind.

This filter system is the latest version. Did you know that tap water contains 144 different poisons?
For only £75 this will save you and your family from the toxins. Huh?

Or, don't buy canned goods the food degrades the can and can harm you, buying our freeze dried food (at 10x the cost of a can) is much safer for your family.

You've got kids? Here is a little set of easily sterilized kid sized eating utensils to protect them.
Buy three sets for the price of two.

Knife, call that a knife?
This tungsten bladed serrated double tuck and spin knife will save your life when that rust-able Morey blade you carry will fail after a few months.
Cost? Special show offer £150.

OK some will say that it's just good sales patter and as always the gullible will buy anything yet it concerns me.
The prepper world has it's paranoia level. It always has had.
That's probably why a lot of us are here.

Yet some people joining the prepper movement (if that's the word for it) come into a world where emergency is the norm and stubbing your toe akin to disaster.

Trying to explain that prepping isn't all about self defense or TEOTWAWKI sometimes brings derision from hardened preppers but is it a bad thing?

People need guidance, not an overdose of adrenaline from fear yet sometimes that's all they get. Fear.