everything wrote:Since none of us are billionaires and we are speculating on psychology of the 1%, I don't agree with an assumption that the 1% somehow know there is conflict and that they cannot control everyone else and therefore they have bunkers. It seems more likely that out of people in the 100%, there are some few who feel some need to be "preppers" and out of those few, there are some in the 1% who can actually afford bunkers to the nth degree. Plus some tiny portion of those may know something about history and revolutions and may have a very diversified view of risk management.
I was definitely speculating (as I thought I made clear). I am not rich and do not hang out with those who are, so I cannot really know. However, I think that it is reasonable to think that bunkers are a part of the progression from security fencing and gates, to security systems, to security guards, to safe rooms, etc. But safe rooms are safest when as few other people know about it as possible, whereas bunkers can be used to host parties with acquaintances, servants, entertainers, etc. and it does not matter how many others know about it. So...perhaps bunkers are just a means of impressing others and are not really about security?
Or...It is possible that the history of the USA plays a part in our current concerns.
Even though I am not a historian, and do not claim to be particularly knowledgeable about the drivers of culture and society, it does seem to me that various things have relationships. It seems like within various cultures there are often shared experiences that become shared myths that are used to unite those within the individual cultures. These myths are commonly accepted (traditions...) without having any critical examination of what is underlying those aspects of society. For example, “America is the land of the free” (even though we are not really as free as we may thoughtlessly believe). All levels of a society tend to be affected, although by varying degrees, by the shared cultural mythology.
I will try not to be too long here, since most people probably do not care, and I am not qualified to present a thesis on this, but some background SPECULATION may illustrate my point about bunkers. I’ll start from the beginning...
From colonial times and through the western expansions, etc. Americans have depended on personal protection for personal safety. We did not have chivalrous knights, or police states, or any other particularly effective protections provided by our state or other authorities. This attitude of the need for personal protection has persisted in our society and our laws (e.g., the right to bear arms, concealed carry, stand your ground, castle laws, even the use of deadly force when one is in fear of their life or safety, etc.). Bunkers would be consistent with the personal protection ethos.
Too far ranging historically for you, how about an illustration from fairly recent history? When I was in public school I had little concerns for my personal safety, but it is different today. Schools today are becoming more and more like bunkers to protect students from those willing to commit violence against strangers even without expectations of monetary rewards or other similar motivations (often even having a willingness to die themselves during the attacks). If access security is not enough, then add metal detectors, and if that is not enough then add armed security guards, and if that is not enough then arm teachers and other adults as well... Turning schools into bunkers seems to me to be due to insecurities and fears, just like the thoughts that the only way to be safe against “bad actors” intent on violence is to likewise be armed...
Not dealing enough with the rich and powerful for you, how about another example? The government of the USA spends the most of any country on the military and yet, as rich and powerful as the USA is, it is not enough. We still feel insecure and therefore add missile defense shields, but still feel potentially vulnerable so we need to make our borders more secure (including adding walls) in order to prevent potential terrorists from entering the country, and we need to limit immigration because one cannot be certain that some terrorists will not slip in, and we still do not feel secure so how about adding a new branch of the military and institute a space force... Yes, I think that the US government feels that the nation is insecure.
Do you not see the parallels? Bunkers are probably about fears and insecurities. The reasons to feel insecure can vary, but after 9/11 it became obvious that individuals and societies that oppose the USA (for whatever reasons) can enter the country and potentially cause major harm, without concern for their own safety or the safety of others. This extends not just to our military (e.g. the Pentagon), but also financial and business interests (e.g. the World Trade Center). If someone is successful enough to be important to the economy, then they could be a potential target for terrorists – therefore...bunkers for the rich! How else would they feel secure against the potential of a suicidal terrorist targeting them?
There are many legitimate reasons why Americans feel less secure today than they did before WWII, but I think that this sentiment pervades the society, from individuals to the government, and I see no reason for the rich to be immune to it.