Prepare for THIS

Posted on July 27, 2004

The UK is buzzing about the government’s decision to distribute a booklet to the entire population over there entitled “Preparing For Emergencies” (link goes to PDF version). The booklet is intended to give “common sense advice” on how to be prepared for disasters or acts of terrorism, without unduly panicking anyone. Naturally, there’s a Web site as well, at http://www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk.

And just as naturally, it took a Briton with a sense of humo(u)r (a fellow by the name of Thomas Scott) about 30 seconds to register the veeeery similar domain http://www.preparingforemergencies.co.uk/ and plunk down a parody site that looks and feels exactly like the government’s site, except with copy like this:

Things to remember

If you are involved in any emergency it is important to:

• Run like hell, particularly if you caused the emergency.
• Trample all others in your desperate attempt to escape.
• Loot on the way out.

Aaaaand, again just as naturally, it took the government about 30 more seconds after the site launched to demand that Scott take it down. So far he’s holding firm, though.