All humans have an inherent desire to control the unpredictable twists of everyday life. The global (but mainly American) community of “preppers” takes the instinct further: They believe they can ready themselves for the apocalypse. Also known as survivalists, preppers hunker down in remote bunkers and surround themselves with weapons and supplies in the expectation that, come doomsday, society will break down into a Hobbesian state of nature—where life will be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short, and it’ll be This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 48 Jordan Casteel The acclaimed painter of people—and now plants. Arts & Culture Issue 48 The Sweet Spot How long is the perfect vacation? Arts & Culture Issue 48 Cliff Tan Four questions for a feng shui guru. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Figure Skating with Mirai Nagasu The Olympic athlete has known glory, pain and transcendence on the ice. Arts & Culture Issue 48 Sweet Nothing On the virtues of hanging out. Arts & Culture Issue 48 The Art of Fashion On what artists’ clothes communicate.
Arts & Culture Issue 48 Figure Skating with Mirai Nagasu The Olympic athlete has known glory, pain and transcendence on the ice.