After The Eclipse - Dystopian Stories Series

0:00 On Truth Detective with Stephanie Lee. The main core topic of the episode is based on the truth, and in most episodes, some of the events, people, places, pseudonyms, and the lifestyle that I lead as a truth detective are fictionalized. For a better Truth Detective storytelling experience. For each episode, go to the show notes for more information on the topic. Enjoy this episode, Welcome This is Truth Detective with Stephanie Lee. Dystopian Stories the Eclipse. It was in my dream that I, your very own Truth Detective, realized we were living a potential nightmare. It's true, I pictured it perfectly in that nightmare.

1:13 It went something like this, in a desolate post apocalyptic world where the remnants of a once thriving society lay in ruins. We all navigated the crumbling streets looking for scraps of much needed supplies. It was at this time that the sun rarely peeked through the thick smog that blanketed the sky, a constant reminder of the catastrophic events that had befallen the world. So that was how much of the nightmare I remembered. You see, I had heard whispers of the impending economic collapse that would follow the solar eclipse and the saying never let a crisis go to waste. The solar eclipse is a phenomenon that may plunged the world into chaos, and people had been prepared, hoarding supplies and bracing themselves for the worst. But was prepping really that important? Well maybe if you enjoy feeling happy and secure. After all, the whole point of prepping is to reduce the chances of major life disruptions and to better recover from disruptions when they do happen. That's it, right.

2:22 Even something as simple and common as a fire extinguisher in your kitchen counts, And so it is. The vast majority of prepping has nothing to do with bunkers and bullets, or it doesn't have to. I found this from the prepared dot com website. We all ought to look not just at what's immediately in front of us, but also a little more down the road. Well, let's take seventy two hours three days versus two weeks. Until recently, emergency preparedness guides, including the Department of Homeland Securities Ready dot Gov website typically recommended having seventy two hours worth of supplies.

3:03 But they are coming around and seeing that seventy two hours worth of supplies just isn't going to cut it. Through my research as a truth detective, most modern experts believe that you should be prepared for at least two weeks to handle most likely events. Some groups, like the Red Cross have updated their suggestions. Their site now says three day supply for evacuation, two week supply for home. Our emergency system, first responders and community supplies can be quickly overwhelmed. We know that the system just isn't designed to handle sudden and widespread disasters. I knew I had to unravel the truth for all to know. Behind the group of only around four percent in the United States known as preppers, they held the key to survival in this harsh new reality. As I delved deeper into my investigation, I discovered that the preppers were a faction of individuals who possessed crucial knowledge about surviving in the post apocalyptic world.

4:09 They were the ones who knew what supplies to stuck up on, how to fortify their homes, and how to defend themselves against the dangers that lurked in the shadows. And there were plenty of dangers and shadows. My detective inquiries led me to uncover the demographics of the preppers, a diverse group of individuals from all walks of life who had come together in a bid for survival and help each other. Some of them were indeed buying guns and honing their skills and self defense, recognizing the importance of being able to protect themselves and their families in a world where law and order had crumbled. I wanted to investigate further about this prepper group that was becoming less and less thought of as outliers. Yes, as time ticked by, more and more citizens were taking prepared for the worst, hoping for the best. Seriously, your trusty truth Detective realized we all probably ought to do more. So thereafter realizing this, night after night and my small cabin in the woods alone with my precious little dog, I scoured the inter web to learn more about this fascinating group of very smart people that I felt akin to.

5:25 Through my research, I found that, first I, your humble Truth Detective, can do more to prepare for any disaster, natural or man made. Yes, yes, I failed, but this I know can be quickly corrected. I found first off, people are stocking up on essentials such as non perishable food items, water, hygiene products, medications, and basic medical supplies. Additionally, having a supply of batteries, flashlights, candles, and matches can be helpful in cases of power outages. We all know that in case leaving home becomes necessary, which I really hope it doesn't, having a go bag or emergency kit with important documents, cash, a first aid kit, extra clothing, and essential supplies is advisable. Additionally, having a plan for where to go and how to communicate with loved ones is important. Demographics for preppers well, as I said, preppers come from various demographics, including individuals and families from different socioeconomic backgrounds. While some may be preparing for specific doomsday scenarios, others may simply be taking precautions for more common emergencies like natural disasters or economic downturns. Guns and self defense, well, we don't like to really talk about this, but it's necessary.

6:48 Some preppers do invest in firearms for self defense purposes, but not all preppers choose this route. No, whether to acquire firearms and to learn how to use them is a personal decision based on individual beliefs and circumstances, Having extra fuel can be important, especially if there is a disruption in regular fuel supplies. This could include gasoline for vehicles, propane for cooking and heating, or firewood for a fireplace or outdoor camping stove. Well. Learning how to use alternative energy sources, such as solar panels or generators, can be beneficial in case of power outages. Knowing how to safely use a fireplace or outdoor camping equipment for cooking and heating can be important if electricity is lost for an extended period of time. By delving into these aspects, I could better understand the motivation behind prepping and preparedness and provide valuable insights into how individuals can prepare for uncertain times.

7:51 Certainly all wasn't lost. I had done what I'd prefer to call light prepping. Well. I'd heard that getting extra fuel was indeed crucial in a world where resources were scarce. TICK Learning how to use alternative sources of energy like fireplaces and outdoor camping skills could mean the difference between life and death when electricity fails. TICK some videos and websites mentioned getting cash to have on hand and keeping it at home if electricity goes down, you want to have cash. Cash is king. We all know that, at least for now, People and places except cash Tick buy liquor, cigarettes and cigars. This is something I bet you didn't know because I didn't know it either. It's for bartering or trading for other essentials that you may want and not have. This, of course, may also include memorabilia such as baseball cards and other collections or collectibles that have a high market value or specialized interest. Tick. After spending a considerable time researching the preparedness videos and reading articles, I got the basics down. I did, indeed find it rather easy to get some of the supplies to make me feel safe and secure. I already have a cord and a half of firewood and two cast iron pans for cooking and warming up foods and coffee over my fireplace.

9:17 But this is what I've gotten since I've learned and researched and sought the facts and truth about preparedness. Extra daily medicine, ibuprofen, band aids, vitamins, batteries, flashlights mostly double A of course, wood matches and lighters, a full tank of gasoline, and I do have four gallons of extra gasoline, bottled water and water filtration tablets. Duct tape for repairs. Listen, there are so many videos on the uses of duct tape. Extra stock of toilet paper, extra stock of paper towels. We all know that from back in the COVID days. Canned soups, peanut butter, frozen foods, beef patties, chicken bread are in my freezer. The first that I will be eating emergency food freeze, dried fruit, vegetables, and easy already cooked meals for one month. Non electric camping coffee pot with filters, Yes, please ground coffee. Yes, Parmelot milk. It has a long shelf life. Yes, that's true, and I love that extra sweetener. Walkie talkies I never thought about that, but that's a good thing to have just in case to keep in touch with those that are kind of out of range but still within walking distance. Thermal emergency blankets.

10:37 That's more for my go bag, but I thought it was necessary. Crank radio with solar panels, lights and a recharging unit is also useful for charging other devices. Emergency phone card. Well, I never thought about this, but suppose we do lose cell power and you want to get in touch with anybody, you can so certainly do that with these sos, charge cards, headlamps that have lights, oh yes, I have that from walking my little doggie. A tactical knife with a four inch blade. Well, I never thought i'd buy a tactical knife, but it is necessary now. This is something that I've done recently, within the past two months, maybe three, but it could be important. I got a pistol permit to buy a gun and AMMO if needed, and I am learning how to use it responsibly.

11:31 That's important. Have passport, social Security card, deed for the house and all important information on hand. And of course if you're stuck at home, you need games and playing cards and all kinds of things to keep your children and the adults busy as well. I was told by my prepper friends to charge everything that is chargeable beforehand. Of course, that's a natural. What I need to work on is getting off the grid go bags in case of evacuation. I'm not really planning on that yet, but in case. As I pieced together the puzzle of the preppers and their knowledge, I began to share my new knowledge with everyone I could, and that includes you, and yes, I joined forces with this prepper group that was growing by the day in our society to ensure survival for myself and all. So I will relay their knowledge to the struggling non preppers of society of which I used to be. I will scream it from the rooftops if I must. In a world where trust is a rarer commodity and danger lurks around every corner, I know that my next move could determine not only my fate, but the fate of what remained of humanity. With the weight of the world on our shoulders, now we all steeled ourselves for the challenges that lay ahead. Indeed, rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Of course, I kept reminding myself, hopefully we won't need it. And in the end, after the solar

13:04 eclipse doomsday debacle is over and done with, we go about our business. We play with our families, we entertain our friends, we walk our dogs, and all the while we smile inside, a calmness comes about, and so it is. Some were on their way to getting prepared, and some were ultra prepared for whatever came our way in this uncertain world that is becoming our reality,