@74, preps are private and confidential, nothing to do with knowing your neighbors strengths and weaknesses, whom of them can become problematic, whom you can trade with.
Coming from a 1st world country with a huge 3rd world component. We see things differently. We can go anywhere and see what it can look like when the SHTF.
Once the rule of law has left the building any non-prepper will look for tell-tale signs of preppers.
Many years ago we did military patrols in black townships. Newly minted white 18-20 year old’s in full combat gear patrolling black townships day and night in military vehicles to keep the peace in that area, keep the rule of law in play.
What I saw there are similar to the scenarios debated here, no power, homemade shacks, limited food, lots of people, angry people.
And in that township we saw big screen TV’s, latest model brand new cars, leather lounge suites – you will not know that when you stand outside that double storey shack.
Everyone in that township knew what was potting, who can be trusted, who not, who has more, who has nought. All we had to do was earn the trust of the community by treating them with respect, and we will get the intel of where the problems are brewing, who has what drugs and where the criminal elements where operating from.
That is where I saw the value of knowing ones neighbors. Interfacing with them and how to get the intel one needs.
I suspect the same was experienced by USA troops in the Middle East.