For some reason, I’m hitting some programming lately of the prepare-for-the-end-of-the-world variety. I’m not sure of the reason for this ‘surge’ in interest (Hey, any wave at all on a flat pond is a surge, right?) but sadly, some of the offerings are pretty much crap. The History Channel’s Apocalypse Man sits right at the top of the heap.
We are treated to yet another ‘expert’ in survival, an ex- military type named Rudy Reyes. Over the course of the program, he proceeds to swing off of bridges, scamper through deserted buildings, and forage for scraps in the guise of teaching us useful skills for survival.
It’s hard to know where to start with reviewing this, as so much of it is contrary either to my personal philosophy (such as going into a city after a major disaster), or simply unrealistic (no bodies, no survivors). I’ll try, though.
The majority of the show features Reyes alternately sneaking about and climbing up or over something while dropping gems like: “Try not to let obstacles like this stop you…”.
We are treated to yet another ‘expert’ in survival, an ex- military type named Rudy Reyes. Over the course of the program, he proceeds to swing off of bridges, scamper through deserted buildings, and forage for scraps in the guise of teaching us useful skills for survival.
It’s hard to know where to start with reviewing this, as so much of it is contrary either to my personal philosophy (such as going into a city after a major disaster), or simply unrealistic (no bodies, no survivors). I’ll try, though.
The majority of the show features Reyes alternately sneaking about and climbing up or over something while dropping gems like: “Try not to let obstacles like this stop you…”.
Wow, there’s a revelation.
There is very little in the way of hard information in the show, and some curious omissions. One of which is that the program never shows him obtaining or purifying water that I recall. However, there is some laugh value in places. His comment about finding some cans of food in a basement (“That’s sustainability!”) had me rolling on the floor, howling with laughter.
Much of the airtime is taken up with him rigging a radio beacon, and finding diesel for an emergency generator at a hospital. The last was quite amusing, as he advises you to turn of the breakers so as to not light up the building and advertise your presence to potential hostiles. Apparently the roar of a running diesel generator or the smell of its exhaust fumes is untraceable.
The list of silliness goes on, and if you’re willing to waste an hour, there is lots more advice to make you shake your head.
There is very little in the way of hard information in the show, and some curious omissions. One of which is that the program never shows him obtaining or purifying water that I recall. However, there is some laugh value in places. His comment about finding some cans of food in a basement (“That’s sustainability!”) had me rolling on the floor, howling with laughter.
Much of the airtime is taken up with him rigging a radio beacon, and finding diesel for an emergency generator at a hospital. The last was quite amusing, as he advises you to turn of the breakers so as to not light up the building and advertise your presence to potential hostiles. Apparently the roar of a running diesel generator or the smell of its exhaust fumes is untraceable.
The list of silliness goes on, and if you’re willing to waste an hour, there is lots more advice to make you shake your head.
My problem is that this sort of 'catch the wave' programming is at best useless and at worst, downright harmful. It perpetuates the backpack survivor myth in the worst way. It offers almost no practical advice to someone that wants to begin prepping. Unfortunately, I think as things get a little worse, we’ll see a lot more of this kind of opportunistic programming.
Pesonally, I'm sorry I wasted 42 minutes on this.
Originally posted June
Originally posted June
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