In my experience, the so called Preppers vary in their paranoia, depending on what ideological echo chamber they have fallen into. Some are rational and do it for good reasons. Others are complete paranoid and delusional and bealive things that really are not true. I would not put them all in the same category, since they vary quite a bit between each other. Also it seems to be something that mainly originated in America and than exported to some other places. Like so many things.

For example I know people prepared for winter, for war, against floods and earthquakes and other disasters, but I've only seen it in American context as something that has its own name and culture... the so called preppers.

As for the rich preparing with so called doomsday mansions, its a matter of hypocrisy that Joseph was pointing out.

The same rich will go on public fundraisers to "raise money" for "the poor" and "climate change" and talk the talk, but in private life act completely differently. They will talk about open border policies, and systemic racism and all the other luxury talking points, but than and do the complete opposite in their private lives.

How many rich hypocrites have we seen talking about wearing masks, social distancing, covid passports, testing, mandatory jabs etc and than they go with no mask, on exclusive vacations in tropical islands somewhere, following very different rules.

You know the pattern.

@Krunoslav Hypocricy is a basic human flaw - it occurs in everyone. Ordinary "work-a-day" people are being hypocritical when they make unkind and snide comments on the rich - because truthfully everyone would like to be "rich".
Yes the rich and famous are infamous for all their posturing on things like poverty, racism, war...all of mankinds' known ills and failures.
I don't generalize about the motivations of "the rich" anymore than I would about anyone who is not rich.
"The rich" are just men and women - just like everyone else but with money. Some hold heartfelt good will and want to make a difference in the lives of others - some are not so altruistic in their motivations.
Either way their motives for whatever they do or do not do are ultimately between them and their Maker.
I try to never lose sight of the fact that "envy" is one of the biblically referenced "7 deadly sins".
It seems a good and worthy goal for myself to take personal inventory of my deeds and motivations and to at least try to not worry myself so much with those of others - rich or otherwise.
One thing I know about myself - If I'm destitute - homeless - cold - hungry - ill...and someone hands me a warm jacket, a plate of food, a $100 bill or foots the bill for my medical treatment...I'm not going to reject any of those things for want of knowing their motivations for helping me in my time of need.
It is very difficult for many (or most perhaps?) people to express humility. Human Pride gets in the way. I have to be vigilant that I do not forget to be humble - grateful for whatever gift comes my way. Sometimes it comes in the form of a cool breeze felt upon my sweaty brow - one day it might come in the form of a wool scarf and a pair of gloves while sitting on the frozen sidewalk in wintertime. I will not let my prideful impulses define the moment...instead I will be grateful and humble and say thank you. And never give a thought to who gave me those things much less why...

@iThink “I believe the first test of a truly great man is humility”
John Ruskin (English Writer and Critic of art, architecture, and society, 1819-1900)

Besides: “Humility is the only certain defense against humiliation”

@iThink
"One thing I know about myself - If I'm destitute - homeless - cold - hungry - ill...and someone hands me a warm jacket, a plate of food, a $100 bill or foots the bill for my medical treatment...I'm not going to reject any of those things for want of knowing their motivations for helping me in my time of need."

That is how BUI will be introduced. Basic Universal Income. First they make as many homeless and jobless as they can to make them dependent on the goverment and than they offer BUI. But if you don't want to take the jab, be branded like cattle with QR codes and GPS chips, than you don't get BUI.

Just a friendly warning.

@Krunoslav Not really - BUI is not truly a hand out to people in need - it is a power play. A political act of cynicism - a political ploy for grabbing ultimate power disguised as a benevolent act of caring. You and I know it is not that...don't we

@iThink Yes we do. But off course the power players hope many won't.

..was that a thing. I must have missed that era? lol

You hit the nail on the head, @govols. People suck. That is precisely the concept that woke progressives are unable to understand. We all have a dark side, and this project of life is about choosing the opposite. Progressives see us as blank slate innocents who are corrupted by an evil world. I admire the realists who see us as (at least partially) malevolent by nature, and wrestling with the demons.