In
the wake of Hurricane Sandy, there have been many responses to the natural
disaster. Some have made too-soon (but funny)
cocktails,
others have donated generously, a select few are obsessively preparing for the
next natural disaster, and some have moved on to holiday shopping. Then there
are some who have combined a few of these responses: namely, the trend of
holiday shopping for survival gear. Numerous websites and blogs have posted
gift guides for disaster gear (“disaster
preparedness is all the rage right now”) and while some of them are
well-intended others risk capitalizing on a tragedy that many people are still
experiencing. Where is the line between smart, informed, if not a little
paranoid, gift guides and the commodification of a natural disaster?
Here
are some helpful tips for those flirting with the idea of creating a survival
gift guide to help them avoid the slippery slope of taboo:
-Avoid
bombarding your guide with pet-saving gear, such as doggie life vests, portable
purifying cat water fountains, etc. #RichPeopleProblems.
-Items
such as water wicking pants, rain resistant jackets, and water-proof matches
are not helpful when half of Manhattan has flooded. Having water bead instantly
on one’s pants cannot help them when their home is destroyed.
-Do
not give people compasses. Only Eagle Scouts know how to read them properly and
unless you think your friends and family will find themselves in a natural
disaster in the Yukon, consider an iTunes gift card as a stocking stuffer
instead.
-Those
flashlights that you have to crank to turn on are just not useful so stop
putting them in your gift guides.
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