There are a lot of people, some that I know in person, who live in a fantasy of surviving on their own. I've tried, through casual conversation, to get them to understand that you want to build a community around you for mutual benefit. From what I've seen it comes down to a few different things.

1. Some people have trust issues, possibly to a clinical level. They don't trust their neighbors to not be zombies etc knocking at the door to take their stuff. Ironically, when you spread awareness of preparatory issues through community building, you reduce the chance of that happening.

2. Some people are overly focused on one or two particular scenarios and 'optimize' their and preparations on those scenarios. E.g. A real-life neighbor has CBRN gear, firearms, and food but doesn't have a chainsaw or basic hand tools.

Like most stereotypes, the lone preppper has some truth associated with it. It really comes down to definitions. I'm not prepared for TEOTWAWKI by any means, but if I lose my job, or we get hit with a hurricane, or my car dies, or my house burns down, I've got reasonable contingency plans for those. Am I a prepper?

You forgot: 3. America has built this idea that you only have value if you are a rugged individual and doing anything for someone else or having someone else do anything for you makes you a devil worshiper who should be ignored and cast aside. Communities are worthless and only built so your lazy neighbor can profit from your "hard work" and you are the best person to understand your problems and needs

Well, obviously, the answer is a large family. I have 12 kids. Keeping watch should be easy.

Dogs can help. There is a trade-off to be had. Larger dogs can actively participate in defense, but they require lots of food. Geese might be a better option; they seem to be happy eating grass.

Yes. I think this proverb applies. "Want to go fast go alone, want to go far go together"