Bug Out Bag: The Commodification of American Fear

Hurricanes. Earthquakes. Superstorms. War. Martial Law. The Rapture. The Zombie Apocalypse. The Bug Out Bag is the most basic piece of gear for disaster preparedness. It is usually a backpack or an easy to carry duffel bag containing the essentials needed to sustain life for 72 hours, or to possibly begin a new civilization. Bug Out Bag is a journey through post 911 America, documenting the fears and obsessions of Americans. In my travels I have gained the trust of hardcore preppers who showed me their gun collections. I met a soldier whose bag includes hand tooled knives gifted to him by a fellow soldier while serving in Afghanistan. In Texas I met a man who only had a bottle of tequila and phenobarbital in his Bug Out Bag. His plan was to find a shady tree and escape the Apocalypse entirely. I photographed a public high school teacher’s classroom Bug Out Bag, provided for her by the PTA and then supplemented by the teacher. I also visited a store that will sell you a Bug out Bag for your cat for $90. Each bag becomes a portrait of its owner, showing us their most basic needs and also their fears in the face of environmental and global change. The contents reflect the survivalist instincts and character of each owner. Everyone I meet tells me that preparedness is a necessity in Post 911 America. They are eager to discuss their fears, share tips and some even share their resources. Most are community minded but some are fiercely independent. Independence is a fundamental principle when describing the American character and survival is a natural state. At its most extreme, the new self-reliant American no longer experiences transcendence in nature, but instead, escapes to nature in an effort to hoard and protect their property. Living off grid has become a capitalist enterprise, banking on the fears and desires for stability in a progressive state.