Doomsday Preppers, et al

Many who read my blog are "prepper" types. I am a "prepper" type, lol!
So, a lot of us watched with interest the National Geographic series "Doomsday Preppers".
Let me preface my comments by stating that I know some of the folks on the show...through Facebook, forums, and/or their blogs. Some I like, some I don't. I won't be directing my comments at any one individual.

First, the Bad:
OPSEC
That stands for Operation Security. Some of the folks on the series concealed their exact locations, some did not. Some showed EVERYTHING they had, others did not.
Look, I blog about preparedness and I post my general location (near El Paso), but only a handful of folks know my exact location. But at least three of the folks I have seen on the series so far have given their exact location OR the filming made it easy to figure out their exact location.
Some of them also used their full real names. In my opinion, not such a good idea.
The guy across town that didn't prepare may remember such a detail when things go to hell in a handcart.
And he'll bring friends.
But if they are comfortable releasing said info, okay. Their decision.

EDITING
Now, they made some of the preppers on the show look a bit ridiculous. I realize that producers and such want the most "bang for their buck" when making these shows, so they try their best to show subjects that are exciting or over the top or ridiculous or whatever to grab the viewers attention and keep them coming back.
I could see this while viewing.
They rarely show the boring, ordinary, day-to-day lives of their subjects. They over-emphasize or exaggerate the "sexy" for their viewers. Guns, ammo, knives, booby traps, etc. are the "sexy" on these shows. Although, massive food storage seems to be a "sexy", too, IF it is massive enough!

General:
I realize that a lot of preppers prep to insure a more stable future for their families. I do feel a bit uncomfortable in showing children on the show. All you need is one over zealous CPS worker in your locale, a neighbor that doesn't like you, a doctor taking a comment out of context during an exam, a teacher who "is concerned" and before you know, those kids are sitting in a foster home watching Bad Girls Club and stuffing their faces full of Cheetos.
Be careful about prepping and your kids, people! A mom that is a bit obsessive about food storage for her family, not a big deal. Taking your child to the range to learn to shoot, again, not that big a deal. Shooting yourself in front of your child at the range (as did happen on one program), now THAT'S a big deal in the eyes of CPS. Especially when it is on television!

Okay, now The Good:

The Buzz:
People are talking about this series, and not just the prepper community. People that never even thought about prepping before are now considering getting a food storage together and/or bug out bags, etc.
The wonderful thing about this is if the guys down the street have their own preps, they won't be going after someone elses' (including yours and mine!).
I have seen many, many newcomers (newbies, noobs, whatever you want to call them) to the prepper forums I belong to. If you are on a prepper forum and you encounter them, educate them. Be gentle. Please remember that one more prepared person is one person less that you have to worry about.

Community:
The series has shown some folks that have organized their communities into prepping. More bodies prepping and more bodies available for defense of said community, the better. The strength you have combined is always better than trying to stand alone in a crisis situation.

Ideas:
The series has shown me a lot of ideas for prepping that I had never heard/seen before. That is Very Cool. It also shows me ways I can incorporate prepping more into my daily life. I am not about to dedicate 8 hours a day to prepping, like some folks in the series, but it has shown me some time savers and short cuts that can help me.

Diversity:
I like the way the series has shown a good cross section of preppers. Different races, different income levels, different occupations, different ages, etc. Some live in the suburbs, some on big farms. Others call a small apartment their home, others live "on the move".
The series really shows that regardless of your circumstances or living conditions, you can prepare!

Warning:
Many of the people shown in the series have firearms and know how to use them. Anyone thinking it would be an easy task to wrest away their food storage, etc. will know it will not be easy. In fact, it could be hazardous  to the point of being lethal.When a 9 year old knows how to handle a firearm in defense of her home and family...well, you don't want to mess with that family!

All that being said, would I want to be on the program?
No. No, I would not.
I have been on forums that were contacted by the producers of the show asking for people to participate and I have been contacted in a private message asking me to participate.

I politely declined due to several reasons.
My Darlin' Man is in the military and that reason alone was enough to discourage participation.
I really don't want my exact location to be known.
Too disruptive to my day-to-day living.
I have minors in the household that I don't want on screen.
AND THE CAMERA ADDS 15 FREAKIN' POUNDS!!!! No way, no how, huh-uhh!

So, what do you think of Doomsday Preppers (and the other shows like it)?