On December 19, 1973, American late night talk show host Johnny Carson made a joke that had some far-reaching unintended consequences. In his opening monologue, he quipped: “You know what’s disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper. There’s an acute shortage of toilet paper in the United States.” The next morning tens of millions of his viewers went out and each bought dozens of rolls. This buying created a shortage, which lasted several weeks. More than just a bit of trivia, the 1973 toilet paper shortage illustrates the herd-like instincts of consumers, and just how easy it is to create a nationwide panic.

The difference between the toilet paper shortage of 1973 and today is that the Johnny Carson “run” didn’t begin until the next morning after the broadcast had aired. But we now live in the age of 24-hour-a-day supermarkets, and some gas stations operate 24-hour-a-day. There is now the potential for mass panic 24 hours a day. And to further exacerbate this, many folks now use Facebook and other social networking services. These have the potential to whip up a frenzy of activity, based on unsubstantiated rumors. In fact, we now live in the age of the Internet flash mob. And, by extension, this is also the age of flash runs on banks, or flash runs on grocery stores, or flash runs on gasoline. Even more ominous is the potential for flash freeway gridlock, in the event of rumors of an imminent terrorist attack on a major city with a Weapon of Mass Destruction.

So let’s look at the issues that we are facing today with the events that are unfolding around the world.  The earthquake and the subsequent nuclear emergency, has people on the west coast in an uproar. My friend that works in the surplus industry cannot keep KI on his shelves and MREs and dry foods are on back order.

Looking at Madison Wisconsin, we are seeing the potential for civil unrest in the rest of the nation as well. The SEIU and the AFL-CIO are looking to hold protest this may. One of the SEIU senior officials has been recorded stating that he wants to collapse the economy of the United States. What will that bring?

Information today flows fast.  With the internet, 24 hour news and radio, time has begun to run very fast. You need to be in front of the event. Pay attention to multiple news sources and plan ahead.

What are the implications for all of the increased velocity of panic to preppers?

1. You need to work on your preps now.
2. Have multiple plans in the books.
3. React early to the news.
4. Have a strong social network and communications plan with them.