The wealthy and the famous in the event of a SHTF scenario.

Hello people at the survival section of ATS.

I had a thought earlier today and wish to share it.
This thread is regarding celebrities in the wake of a SHTF scenario on a global scale. I'm talking complete collapse of government and law and order, looting, lack of supplies... the works.

I am talking about the overpaid politicians, royalty, wealthy businessmen and CEOs, Hollywood stars, singers, TV personalities, athletes and also wealthy but otherwise talentless personalities who are adored by the general public and are constantly in the media for any reason they can find.

1. Would they have a better chance of survival?
Its obvious that in case of a SHTF scenario, they would all be reduced to nothings and nobodies as people and the media (if it is left) would finally come to their senses and get their priorities straight. But would these celebrities have a better chance of survival, because of their wealth?

I imagine they'd convert their mansions and estates into barricaded safezones guarded by private armies? Maybe pay them with food rations and shelter? I'm not sure how long this would last, as in a scenario where all law and order has collapsed, how would they go about trusting anyone, especially armed men?

Or

2. To put it rather coarsely, are they all just plain screwed?
I highly doubt the ultra-wealthy and famous even think about SHTF scenarios affecting them let alone how they could prepare for them. Even if they survive, and even if society starts rebuilding as smaller independently governed communities, what can they contribute and how? In a rebuilt society, if social status were to depend on your hands on skills, such as farming, plumbing, carpentry, animal rearing etc., just what kind of skills could celebrities who've only known the good life and getting things done by others possibly contribute form the benefit a survivalist community.

Discuss.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


I would imagine they would be thrown to the wolves - the truly wealthy have their bunkers and their supplies - and the rest of them would be left to defend themselves - even armed gaurds have their loved ones to take care of.

In a way, I might feel sorry for them - but I'm sure ala barbra striesand - they've treated the little ones like #.

Might as well have your family stay a few days in a luxurious ocean front mansion, eating all the good things - before you die of radiation.

What constitutes a SHTF scenario?

reply to post by woodwardjnr


Like I said

... a SHTF scenario on a global scale. I'm talking complete collapse of government and law and order, looting, lack of supplies... the works.

People with means always fair better than those without. Simple fact of society overall..even in a collapse.

Your question brings to mind this movie from 1997.



Oddly enough, the movie is supposed to have taken place in 2013!

Maybe the rich and famous will be alright at first, but only for a little while...

I think it will be the people with real skills who will be best off. The carpenters, the farmers, the weavers, doctors, herbalists, butchers, ... people with military backgrounds, people trained in martial arts.

When there is no more government, there is no more money and unless you have gold, you're no better than the next guy. Joe friendly works at the office 9 to 5 and goes home to watch tv all evening will fare no better than the celebs/rich folk unless they have useful skills.

A lowly woman who can make candles and soap will be far better off because she will have something to trade. A common man who can hunt will have food. Rich or poor, it will be your skills that will determine whether or not you live.

They will all just die while waiting for someone to bring them their water and hors d'oeuvres. Sadly for them, money will not buy them out of trouble in the situation detailed in the OP.

Well depends on if they are like Tom Cruise:

www.wired.com...

We know that our "elected" leaders will run to place like Mount Weather etc, most other rich folks spend $$ on safe rooms, and bunkers, not everyone does tho.

Even the average Joe has built bunkers, their numbers are small compared to most people, the rest will just sit there, and wait for government to come save them.

People with "means' do have somewhat of a better chance in a shtf, however in a shtf it really is anyone's ball game.

MOst of these 'wealthy' have no idea how to do anything outside of their homes, clubs, malls, and inner circles. Many people rich or poor have no clue how to survive outside of their electric comforts. They no not how to change a tire, hammer a nail, cook food, converse and mingle with 'lesser' folk which will be their neighbours and partners in survival.

The good thing is that the truly rich will have to learn to be what they hate to be and realize their lives, wealth, power was nothing more than an illusion.

there are some rich and famous that are real down to earth people.
they don't flaunt their celebrity over any one. i think that they may fair very well.

as far as some politicians, ceos of companies, and just the general a__holes.
i dare say that their lifespan would be very limited. i think most might be killed on sight, others would be put through pure hell, before being killed.

Celeb's have everything catered to them. Business manager's handle all affairs. Most of them have probably never written a check or balanced a check book.

They cant/dont/wont cook, clean, garden or sew. They have never gotten their hands dirty other than on a movie set, where crew members are quick to wash their hands and feet.

Without being able to do the above and not having any street smarts, they would be worse off than the normal folks.

I'm pretty sure that some of the rich and famous have a nice little farm or ranch that they occasionally vacation at, just in case.

Think about it... If you've got millions, why not have a safety place. It's easy enough to do.


Just my 2 cents

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


There are some who actively prepare on the sly, for such things, but I'm sure they are in the vast minority. No, I imagine most would be just as screwed, at least as soon as cash was meaningless...unless of course, they whored themselves out to someone who was prepared.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


They are screwed.

Private armies are useless. Why keep a bloated ego singer on when you can just use your guns and power to take whatever you want from them now?

Anyone whose loyalty can be bought can be flipped at twice the price. Same as it ever was.

The wealthy think about this more than you think. When you realize they they are the ones usually causing the SHTF scenario, hence they can see it coming and act accordingly. Obviously most media puppets would be screwed both those connected to the true power elite will still survive.

well if you watch revolution it was not obvious but in the last episode they mentioned governor Afflec (meaning ben afflec) who led the californian faction so in that tv show universe he seems to have been successful at survival

most action stars for what its worth are famlier with weapons and whatnot but i dont know how far that will give them, and if you read wwz one of the chapters focused on the rich socialites of ny living on an island and broadcasting their easy lives live on the web for all to see.....didn't end well for them

problay would have to do with the type of collapse/SHTF scenario as in an economic colapse i would not want to be a banker for example where as if its some kind of invasion or asteroid strike i think it will come down to more skills then reputation or prestige

Isn't it up to TMZ to decide who lives and who dies?

reply to post by RalagaNarHallas

and if you read wwz one of the chapters focused on the rich socialites of ny living on an island and broadcasting their easy lives live on the web for all to see.....didn't end well for them

Yes! I remembered that!
Didn't include references to fiction in the OP because I didn't want to make room for distraction.

But now since you raised it, the idea of the elite getting a better shot at survival also appears in the movies 2012 and Dawn of the Dead.

You can't eat money, besides even if you could all their funds are tied up in 'offshore' accounts, and all the gold in the world will not be traded by those with the food or important supplies, not when the brown stuff hits the rotator.
The wealthy and 'famous' ( only in their own minds ) will be just as susceptible to the problems the average man on the street will face and no amount of 'assistants' will be able to get them out of it, sure they can hide away in their 'bunkers' but sooner or later they will be assaulted by others who think they have the supplies.
The wealthy and famous have no real survival skills, and certainly wouldnt know how to look after themselves after being waited upon most of their 'lives' and their sycophantic followers will be looking out for themselves first before their idols and will turn on them quicker than they came to them in the first place.