I was talking to a friend about this a few nights
ago, as we were discussing the comments on an article. This isn't about any one person or any one comment. It's about a general trend I see - and have long seen - in the preparedness world.
Situational bias is a cognitive bias that can cause some people to believe that their unique skills, level of preparedness, or location make them immune to the disasters that may befall others.
Be honest...is it possible that you might be suffering from this bias yourself?
I don't write this to be discouraging or critical. I write it because I see the same kind of cognitive bias within our own community that we accuse people outside of our community of having. Living a prepared lifestyle, knowing how to survive in multiple environments, and having ninja skills all make you a lot harder to victimize. But believing yourself impervious leaves a dangerous blind spot that is, in the end, what makes you vulnerable.
The problem with writing articles like this is that the folks who need most to absorb it are the ones who will argue most fervently.
It's never been more important to understand the psychology of mob mentality and the truth about protests. In this article, Selco shares what he knows.
If you are living near the location of the riots, what should you be doing right now? How should you be preparing? Here are some tips from a survivor of the Ferguson riots.
