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You know, I have never followed a single thing about 2012, or it’s prophecy, but I know that people always say, “Well, look at y2k.” The thing about Y2K was that it WAS very dangerous, and there was a massive undertaking to get us ready, which averted a lot of problems. After the fact, people like to say everything was fine, but I doubt that would have been the scenario if everybody stuck their heads in the sand. I remember at the time period (98-99, somewhere there about), I saw on the news that a nuclear reactor was doing a test to see what would happen and it was shut down.

Now, humanity ending—No, probably not. But it certainly would have been a cramp in someone’s holiday break especially if a lot of systems went off. The thing is that people are like that (the normalcy bias), in that they think nothing will ever happen. I have helped treat two people (and witnessed a 3rd) with a major infection from a minor cut. I know one teenager who got an infection from a manicure. A MANICURE! There was a small snag the cuticle near the nail that got infected and swole the finger and turned it green, almost to the point of losing the finger. The entire nail had to be ripped off, drained and antibiotics given. The rationale was that since it was a tiny scrape, it would have to get better on its own. Well, it never did, and by the time medical treatment was sought, it was very, very close to being too late (within one or two days for the finger, was the prognosis, IIRC).

Now, if you tell someone, “Wash the most minor of scrapes, because you could die,” they’ll ignore you. I’m not saying people need to fear death at every corner, but I have had 3 people I know (2 I helped treat), in the last 3-4 years alone, have serious infections, that left untreated, could have cost them their lives.

I don’t think people need to worry about the sky falling, but I think everyone should be prepared for certain scenarios. I personally believe in at least 2 years of food, fuel—not for driving, but for cooking, etc.—and clothing, but that’s an individual situation. I think 1 year is a practical minimum. Shoot, if we have a true budget crisis, and the unemployment stops rolling, a 1 year maintainence supply would be a Godsend.

Anyway, my point in this is, that solar flares DO knock out power, even in countries like Canada (one did a few years ago). The sun runs on cycles, and cycles of cycles, and between now and 2014, if I understand correctly, we’ll have the greatest magnitude in the sun cycle of our lifetimes. Maybe like the Carrington Event, maybe not. Either way, I’d rather be prepared before hand, and have an insurance policy. Then worrying what to do 10 min after. Or even “One Second After” which I should probably go read again. My parents were preppers back when it was just called “Common sense.” Dad (and his family), lived during the tail end of the depression, and mom’s grandmother helped raise me (who was an adult trying to raise her family during the depression). I cannot fathom the situation some people put themselves into these days.

The most important thing about being a prepper is that it teaches you to BE a prepper. I know it’s off topic, but I thought it important to say. Because what happens if we do survive the solar storms (I’m confident we all will!), but then Obama doesn’t get re-elected and tens of millions of race rioters revolt? What if worse, he wins? Yeah, people are all ready to defend themselves, but you may not be able to defend the infrastructure the rioters destroy, etc.

2012 Destruction or not, it’s better to be safe, than sorry.