Ryan’s Journal: Hurricane Madness
by Ryan Pew
Have you ever watched the propaganda film from the 1950’s titled, “Reefer Madness”?
It was put together by the US Government with the intent to scare the population about the dangers of Marijuana.
Most of what they presented as negative aspects of using the drug were not particularly true, but they were effective.
However, this post isn’t about drugs, it’s about paranoia.
I live in Florida and you may have heard that there is a MASSIVE storm headed our way. Obviously with Harvey in the news people are taking it seriously. However there is a certain amount of panic as well.
Grocery stores are empty of water and canned goods. Gas stations are without fuel and the roads have started clogging up with people exiting the state.
To a certain degree this is rational behavior on the part of the individual, but when taken in aggregate it becomes more of a prisoner’s dilemma.
That may be a charged statement, but as I am watching my fellow man I start to see the cracks in civilized society.
People seem to be in a rush. They cut in line. There is a general “me first” attitude of self preservation.
My perception is that this is a natural state before a storm. Once the storm passes and we are left with the after-effects you see folks band together in harmony.
I’ll keep you posted whether this happens.
Now, what did I do as a rational consumer? I loaded up on water and food, more than what I need. I filled up all my vehicles with gas. And I am preparing to leave.
I have little ones and cannot risk them to chance.
But I did let someone in front of me in the water line out of kindness, a way to balance it all out.
Image credit: NOAA Satellites
