AI Apocalypse to Extreme Weather: Americans Prepare for the Unthinkable
From FDNY firefighters to suburban parents, individuals are stockpiling supplies and skills in anticipation of a wide range of catastrophic events, from technological collapse to climate disasters.
Jason Charles, an FDNY firefighter, has invested approximately $10,000 in doomsday supplies, filling his Manhattan apartment and a storage unit with provisions to weather hurricanes, pandemics, and potential global collapse. His extensive preparations include freeze-dried food, water purification systems, and a solar generator. Charles, who runs a YouTube channel on prepping, views the threat of artificial intelligence as particularly alarming, stating in a video, "We're developing a God AI that is undoubtedly going to destroy humanity and the entire world."
Across the country, a diverse group of individuals are engaging in similar preparations, driven by a spectrum of concerns. Carmen, a resident of North Carolina, identifies as a "Tuesday prepper," focusing on resilience against more immediate threats like extreme weather. Her motivation intensified after Hurricane Helene in September 2024 left her family without power or navigation tools. She has since amassed a significant stockpile of water, long-term food supplies, a solar battery system, and maintains indoor and outdoor gardens.
Abigail, a 36-year-old from Kansas, began prepping two years ago, influenced by political tensions during the 2024 presidential election and a growing fear of geopolitical instability, cyberattacks, and the escalating impacts of climate change. She expressed profound concern for her children's future, stating, "I believe now that the human race won’t survive another 100 years. I think we’ll be lucky to make it that far." Abigail’s preparations include a vegetable garden, freeze-dried and canned goods for her family of four, and advanced solar power stations. She also emphasizes the importance of community resilience, believing individual survival hinges on strong social networks.
Larry, a 70-year-old Navy veteran, approaches prepping as a practical extension of his military training and common sense, likening it to the principles of scouting. His primary focus is preparing for extreme weather events, a concern amplified after his family was impacted by a hurricane. Larry has fortified his home, installed a whole-house generator with a substantial fuel reserve, and relies on solar power and Tesla batteries, resulting in a minimal electricity bill. His extensive supplies include food, water from a private well, and a considerable arsenal of firearms, including pistols and rifles.
Roman V. Yampolskiy, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering, views these preparations as rational risk management rather than eccentricity. He notes the paradox of developing powerful technologies with inadequate plans for potential failures, suggesting that diversification against low-probability, high-impact events is a standard practice for governments and corporations, and thus, a sensible endeavor for individuals as well.