It seems to me that there are some deep psychological roots to survivalism. We all live with a variety of uncertainties, ranging from death to whether our car will start to finding we're out of cereal. And that's just on the personal side. Outside factors include storms and wars. Focusing on survival from whatever externalizes the anxiety on all these fronts and, perhaps, makes it easier to manage. It's a recurring theme in religion, from the Bible's Revelations to the anticipation of the supposedly Maya-predicted end next month. But those ends take matters out of our hands; again, it can be easier to prepare for - well, what? If society really does break down, or an asteroid hits, will this really keep you safe?
And, speaking of uncertainty, tomorrow, in addition to being Thanksgiving, is also the 49th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Your password won't protect you, either.
Nor the Washington foreign policy establishment.
But here's some good news: the US and Mexico are going to sign an agreement on Colorado River water. And it looks like it's both realistic and fair.
And some wonderful color photos of America in the early 1940s.
Added later: Culture shock on returning to the US from Estonia.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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