It’s a sign that at least some of the ultra-rich are anxious about global events and are making contingency plans for the Big One — whatever form that may take.
The feeling is very much in the air. Architectural Digest named “luxury bunkers” one of the real estate trends of 2023, and a finely appointed redoubt figured prominently in the recent Netflix thriller Leave the World Behind.
Bradley Garrett said the most elaborate bunker he found while researching his book (Bunker: Building for the End Times) is the Survival Condo, located in a former missile silo in Kansas. Built around 2010 by a property developer who used to work for the U.S. Department of Defence, this “nuclear-hardened” structure features walls up to 2¾ metres thick and can house between 36 and 75 people.
In addition to providing each unit with a five-year supply of “freeze-dried and dehydrated survival food,” the complex contains an indoor pool, a classroom, a library and two floors of hydroponic gardens to “provide fresh produce.” It also has filtered air and water supplies. Units go for between $1.5 million and $3 million.
Ok, I’ve given some thought to surviving in a societal collapse. Nuclear war is simply hopeless and leads to a long, lingering death if you should survive, so let’s leave it as societal collapse, like a COVID-27, but 10 times higher mortality.
This assumes you have Money with a capital “M”.
Find a piece of land with easy access to a reliable water supply, farmable land, reasonable sunlight, and forest. Preferably, 30–60 minutes from a major popular center, maybe a little more. Build a home using ICF. The windows covered with European rolling steel shutters. Masonry heater. Wood-fired auxiliary water heater. Wood stoves, plural. Solar panels with multi-day battery backup. Greenhouses, barn, workshop. Printed book library in the house. Reloading supplies and equipment. Archery supplies. Medical equipment and education. Food preservation.
Do you want a loyal army? James Bond’s Kerim Bey in “From Russia With Love”: All my trusted employees are relatives. Become a foster parent. Help your community. Become a major factor in promoting community preservation and support. Become a loved and respected member of the community. Don’t go the Godfather route. Surround yourself with people who see you as a factor for good in their lives.
You don’t know billionaires very well.
Then die 2 months later when you’re raided by your desperate neighbors.
You had them up until the “good person” part.
Much like governments only exist by the consent of the governed, the moneyed elite only exist by consent of the lower classes.