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SHTF causes?

4.3K views 60 replies 39 participants last post by  Peter  
#1 ·
I have heard many reasons why folks prepare for SHTF. Some of them seem possible, while other reasons seem far fetched.

What are your thoughts? What are the three mostly likely causes of SHTF? Rank in order if you can.

Mine -
1) political collapse,
2) economic collapse
3) weather and/or natural disaster leads to overwhelming instability and chaos.

You?
 
#4 ·
I have heard many reasons why folks prepare for SHTF. Some of them seem possible, while other reasons seem far fetched.

What are your thoughts? What are the three mostly likely causes of SHTF? Rank in order if you can.

Mine -
1) political collapse,
2) economic collapse
3) weather and/or natural disaster leads to overwhelming instability and chaos.

You?
Truck Stoppages and the unintended consequences....

They stop for a long period of time, we are royally screwed, soooooo much depends on truck/rail transpo these days...

Read over the article, this is what got me cranked up years ago to prep...

When the Trucks Stop, America Stops.
 
#5 ·
Like the frog being slowly boiled in a pot of water, I think many events that are going to take us are progressive, and few are sudden.
Usually a single sudden event reminds us to do better prepping but there isn't room/time/finances to prep for everything.
Like the plandemic we just endured, many expect more are coming and they are planned not accidental.
There are too many personal events to keep up with it all .
Ideally one develops a plan for potential events so their family knows what to do in the event something sudden happens.
Personal physical fitness and mental stability are key , because if you can't act in a situation you become a victim.
Some natural disasters are seasonal like hurricanes but some are sudden like earth quakes.
Good sense and paying attention teaches one that an earthquake near the coast line can produce a tsunami. Knowing that, are you going to wait for an announcement to do something about it?
Seeing future elections will be fixed and democrats are running rough shod over the people do you suppose things are going to get better?
I don't focus on single events seeing that too many things can happen at once accidentally or on purpose.
 
#39 ·
Like the frog being slowly boiled in a pot of water, I think many events that are going to take us are progressive, and few are sudden.
Usually a single sudden event reminds us to do better prepping but there isn't room/time/finances to prep for everything.
Like the plandemic we just endured, many expect more are coming and they are planned not accidental.
There are too many personal events to keep up with it all .
Ideally one develops a plan for potential events so their family knows what to do in the event something sudden happens.
Personal physical fitness and mental stability are key , because if you can't act in a situation you become a victim.
Some natural disasters are seasonal like hurricanes but some are sudden like earth quakes.
Good sense and paying attention teaches one that an earthquake near the coast line can produce a tsunami. Knowing that, are you going to wait for an announcement to do something about it?
Seeing future elections will be fixed and democrats are running rough shod over the people do you suppose things are going to get better?
I don't focus on single events seeing that too many things can happen at once accidentally or on purpose.
Future elections will be fixed and Democrats are running roughshod to take down America so China will have little to no resentence in the takeover!
America has lost its fight genes.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Just went through a 5-month dry spell, due to health issues & losing a crappy job. Good news is, I made it through week 1 of a new, great job that is easier & pays better. Sometimes the whole door closed / new open window thing does happen, via tenacity, stamina & perserverence.

We had to dig into some of our preps, like paper supplies, rice, pasta, powdered potatoes, mac & cheese and a few 'cassarole' soups like french onion, cream of mushroom, etc. Ultimately, that's what they are there for, plus, stock rotation is a good thing.
 
#7 ·
I have always looked at SHTF from a Teeter - Totter point of view:

On the heavy end we have:
Asteroid Strike, Nuclear War, etc. which effects EVERYONE, but is not likely to occur but if it does... No Help Coming

On the light end we have:
Unemployment, Individual sickness or accident which effects YOU and your immediate family. These events occur often, and usually happen to you at least once in your lifetime. Neighbors and close groups are there to assist if need be.

In the middle we have:
Hurricanes, Blizzard, Tornado, Flood, Train Derailments, etc. These things are devastating to a State or Region and while really bad, there is USUALLY outside help available.

I've learned, if I am ALL SET for unemployment and prep for what I can in case of a house fire or personal illness, then I'm about 80% GOOD for anything else that comes along.

The rest, I stay aware of, but don't spend much time worrying about it.
That's a Faith thing, or like the Dinosaurs, maybe ignorance is Bliss.
"What IS THAT thing in the sky??? Oh, look, tree leaves to eat..."
 
#8 · (Edited)
I would go with all the above.

Most wars, civil or between nations are caused by unreconcilable religious, racial, political or social differences. Or greed - the coveting of your neighbors lands or minerals. And all are brewing in many places.

Supply chain and food resources for sure.

Lack of authority to keep the barbarians in check. The minute the thugs realize the police aren't coming, it starts. Back in the 90's Robert Pelton said Afghanistan under the Taliban (before we invaded) was probably the safest place on the planet. Because if someone stole they got their hand chopped off. Mess with someone's woman it would be your head, literally. And hers.

While I don't subscribe to the election fixing conspiracies, subversion of the process (gerrymandering) or boycott of election process can lead to revolt and civil unrest. But most people will blindly follow the mob.

I fear that while great advances are being made, we are racing headlong into a new dark age of social and religious repression, world wide. We are destroying the planet. The oceans are depleated, the air is polluted, we drink micro plastics. It is too late to stop runaway global warming. Refute all you want, facts are the artic will be ice free in 6 years. SIX years. 2030, according to reseachers. The glaciers in Glacier Park are melting. We are on a slow burn into an unsustainable future.

For many in urban cores in the US, and in numerous countries the S has already HTF. Life there isn't about progress, or self improvement. They don't have the luxury of pontificating on forums from the luxury of an air conditioned castle on a hill. They are too busy trying not to get shot by a thug or their own police today, or to scrounge enough food to not starve by tomorrow.

Thank you guys for getting my Saturday off to such a cheery start.

Image
 
#11 ·
I would go with all the above.
Lack of authority to keep the barbarians in check. The minute the thugs realize the police aren't coming, it starts. Back in the 90's Robert Pelton said Afghanistan under the Taliban (before we invaded) was probably the safest place on the planet. Because if someone stole they got their hand chopped off. Mess with someone's woman it would be your head, literally. And hers.
Rapists and child molesters should have something else chopped off first, preferably by the victim, with a very dull knife.
 
#13 ·
I've always tried to keep my thought processes open on the matter. I really don't know what will cause the S to HTF. To further confound matters, there might be some warning or no warning at all.

It could be a minor event, like losing one's income or having to moving to a high crime area, or it could be a major event like WW3, a Yellowstone eruption, civil war etc.

However, I will recognize the SHTF when I see it. Until then I'm gauging probabilities and assessing risks.

I'd rather not fall into the mental trap of being certain that I know what the SHTF will be. When in fact I really don't know... LOL
 
#15 ·
“Lack of authority to keep the barbarians in check. The minute the thugs realize the police aren't coming, it starts. Back in the 90's Robert Pelton said Afghanistan under the Taliban (before we invaded) was probably the safest place on the planet. Because if someone stole they got their hand chopped off. Mess with someone's woman it would be your head, literally. And hers.”

you notice Rbt Young Pelton hasnt been seen around the country for quite awhile now😒He’s a savvy guy..you can still get Esee knives but he’s not shipping them direct👀
 
#16 ·
I think that everyone has made a good point on a SHTF . We have so many problems going on in the US that it is hard to say what will cause an event. I would have never thought that a man beating up a female cop and pulling a gun on her would be found not guilty when it was caught on video. This great county is going to H in a handbasket, and people are not paying attention, and/or just getting use to it. I guess civil unrest is what I prepare for. One thing I am thankful for is that my Father is not here to see what is going on. He was a WWII vet and was at both Normandy and Battle of the Bulge, and was proud to serve his country. I could go on but will get off of my soap box now. :)
 
#17 ·
Another thing is the SHTF issue that affects you may not be THE SHTF…ex;…an economic collapse may not affect a prepper w food, guns, and gold but the 1000’s of feral Utes such an event will loose upon the preppers will be SHTF for you when they try to breach your wire at 2am…jmo
 
#22 ·
I have heard many reasons why folks prepare for SHTF. Some of them seem possible, while other reasons seem far fetched.

What are your thoughts? What are the three mostly likely causes of SHTF? Rank in order if you can.

Mine -
1) political collapse,
2) economic collapse
3) weather and/or natural disaster leads to overwhelming instability and chaos.

You?
Everything, no use in limiting yourself to one potential threat.
 
#24 ·
I recall (1 Tim 6:10) that the love of money is the root of all evil. Don’t think it’s a lie based on what all the wealthy elite is orchestrating against mankind so small group reset themselves into control of all the worlds riches.
 
#26 ·
I have heard many reasons why folks prepare for SHTF. Some of them seem possible, while other reasons seem far fetched.

What are your thoughts? What are the three mostly likely causes of SHTF? Rank in order if you can.

Mine -
1) political collapse,
2) economic collapse
3) weather and/or natural disaster leads to overwhelming instability and chaos.

You?
I don't go looking for causes. Members here have predicted 137 of the last 0 collapses. It's simply not something that rewards me. There are billions and billions of variables, any one of which can alter the situation. (See Chaos Theory, below).

Far better to prepare for needs than to try to predict something that's not predictable. In virtually all scenarios--billions of them--you're going to need water, food, hygiene supplies, light/heat/cooking fuel, first aid/medical, and defense. Those are where people should concentrate their efforts, IMO.

* * * * *
Long before I began prepping I read Lucifer's Hammer by Niven and Pournelle. I was blown away by it--realistic, the sociological ideas in it are plausible, and the responses to a comet hitting the earth were reasonable.

So I began to think of the prepping problem in terms of that kind of scenario. Among the things I believed was that I needed to lie low for 6 months to a year and then emerge, once the aftereffects of "the collapse [tm]" had run their course for the most part.

Talk about being a singular scenario-planner. I was the regional representative for scenario-planning!

But eventually I realized that should this one very specific scenario not come to pass, I'd be in a world of hurt. Fact is, there is an unlimited number of possible scenarios and nobody can anticipate them all. Will a charismatic leader emerge who rallies people to a brighter future? What if he/she is assassinated? Or there are rival gangs? Or a drought? Or floods? Or EMP? Or a virus? Or....or....or....I think the point is made.

* * * * *

At one point in my life I was studying Chaos Theory. One element of CT is known as "sensitive dependence on initial conditions." It means just a very tiny variation at the outset can have outsize consequences as that variation works through the system. It's where the idea of the "butterfly effect" comes from, the notion that a butterfly flapping its wings in China can, as the disturbance works its way through the system, cause a storm a month or two later in North America.

Once I realized Chaos Theory was telling me how to prepare, it was obvious what I should do: prepare capabilities, do not scenario plan. Oh, if there's a high probability of a specific event, like a hurricane, prep for that, but otherwise? Capabilities. It became crystal clear that I cannot predict what's going to happen--so I'd better be ready for...as much as I can, and to do that I need the big six to start.
 
#30 ·
I don't go looking for causes. Members here have predicted 137 of the last 0 collapses. It's simply not something that rewards me. There are billions and billions of variables, any one of which can alter the situation. (See Chaos Theory, below).

Far better to prepare for needs than to try to predict something that's not predictable. In virtually all scenarios--billions of them--you're going to need water, food, hygiene supplies, light/heat/cooking fuel, first aid/medical, and defense. Those are where people should concentrate their efforts, IMO.

* * * * *
Long before I began prepping I read Lucifer's Hammer by Niven and Pournelle. I was blown away by it--realistic, the sociological ideas in it are plausible, and the responses to a comet hitting the earth were reasonable.

So I began to think of the prepping problem in terms of that kind of scenario. Among the things I believed was that I needed to lie low for 6 months to a year and then emerge, once the aftereffects of "the collapse [tm]" had run their course for the most part.

Talk about being a singular scenario-planner. I was the regional representative for scenario-planning!

But eventually I realized that should this one very specific scenario not come to pass, I'd be in a world of hurt. Fact is, there is an unlimited number of possible scenarios and nobody can anticipate them all. Will a charismatic leader emerge who rallies people to a brighter future? What if he/she is assassinated? Or there are rival gangs? Or a drought? Or floods? Or EMP? Or a virus? Or....or....or....I think the point is made.

* * * * *

At one point in my life I was studying Chaos Theory. One element of CT is known as "sensitive dependence on initial conditions." It means just a very tiny variation at the outset can have outsize consequences as that variation works through the system. It's where the idea of the "butterfly effect" comes from, the notion that a butterfly flapping its wings in China can, as the disturbance works its way through the system, cause a storm a month or two later in North America.

Once I realized Chaos Theory was telling me how to prepare, it was obvious what I should do: prepare capabilities, do not scenario plan. Oh, if there's a high probability of a specific event, like a hurricane, prep for that, but otherwise? Capabilities. It became crystal clear that I cannot predict what's going to happen--so I'd better be ready for...as much as I can, and to do that I need the big six to start.
Lucifer’s Hammer, along with Alas, Babylon, did it for me too👍
 
#28 ·
HOPELESSNESS

The worst thing [about / facing] America is hopelessness.

There is no expectation of future improvement - only higher taxes, more debt, economic decline and political collapse.

The failed social experiment of subsidizing consumption and penalizing the productive is evident in the Rust Belt, diminished opportunities, closed factories, and despair.

When takers outnumber the taken, it doesn't encourage anyone to hustle, produce and be useful. “Sharing the wealth” is no solution. Wealth isn't prosperity. Prosperity is the creation, trade, and enjoyment of usable surplus goods and services. Doing more with less, so more can enjoy, is superior to doing less with more, so few can enjoy. It has nothing to do with "money."

When the factories and jobs left, no one sought to remedy their loss. Because those who were taking the "skim" didn't dare upset the status quo.

And when employers hired illegals to avoid paying the inflated costs of socialism and bureaucracy, no one sought to remedy that situation.

Now, we're stuck with the consequences. Generations taught to suck at the public teat, employers crushed with mounting costs, industries destroyed, tax base gone, and invaders with no respect for you, your laws, customs, or language, fill your towns.

With 60% of American families dependent upon government for salaries, pensions, and / or entitlements, there is no political will to stop the downward slide.
- - -
Oh, and let's not forget money madness (belief that money has "intrinsic value"), usury (charging any interest), incompatible religious zealots, and wannabee totalitarian warlords with their finger on "the button."
 
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#33 ·
I have heard many reasons why folks prepare for SHTF.
1) political collapse,
2) economic collapse
3) weather and/or natural disaster leads to overwhelming instability and chaos.

You?
All those climate change refugees fixing to come our way...

Amazing what desperation does to people...

As the climate changes, and people get desperate enough, it won't just be Russia invading the neighbors, and all those 'migrants' at the border suddenly become a real horde...

The politics change and the economies collapse... when only the wealthiest nations have food...

Putin may just be ahead of the curve... saw all those grain fields, and made a grab for the ability to feed the country.

Remember the Stalin famines?

Remember the corn blight of 1970?
All those farmers planting the same strain of corn... practically clone corn...

As Monsanto tightens the strangle hold on the nations world seed supply... we're in danger of a worse crop disaster... due to these newfangled GMOs...

As far as space aliens and asteroids, solar flares, super volcanoes, and mega earthquakes? well... could happen...

The climate change issue, the Monsanto problem is happening now.