My theory is that some/many prepers are either in denial, or haven't take the time (and/or lack the capacity) to imagine the true state of the world they're prepping for. And certainlybsome do it for a sense of security, as false as it might be.

Moi? If I knew there was going to be a nuclear explosion I'd likely drive into the mushroom cloud. Perhaps in this case my imagination has gotten the better of me?