This article was originally published by John W. Whitehead and Nisha Whitehead at The Rutherford Institute. 

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.”—H.L. Mencken

First came 9/11, which the government used to transform itself into a police state.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which the police state used to test out its lockdown powers.

In light of the government’s tendency to exploit crises (legitimate or manufactured) and capitalize on the nation’s heightened emotions, confusion, and fear as a means of extending the reach of the police state, one has to wonder what so-called crisis it will declare next.

It’s a simple enough formula: first, you create fear, then you capitalize on it by seizing power.

Frankly, it doesn’t even matter what the nature of the next national emergency might be (terrorism, civil unrest, economic collapse, a health scare, or the environment) as long as it allows the government to lock down the nation and justify all manner of tyranny in the so-called name of national security.

Cue the Emergency State.

Terrorist attacks, mass shootings, “unforeseen economic collapse, loss of functioning political and legal order, purposeful domestic resistance or insurgency, pervasive public health emergencies, and catastrophic natural and human disasters”: the government has been anticipating and preparing for such crises for years now.

As David C. Unger writes for the New York Times: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have given way to permanent crisis management: to policing the planet and fighting preventative wars of ideological containment, usually on terrain chosen by, and favorable to, our enemies. Limited government and constitutional accountability have been shouldered aside by the kind of imperial presidency our constitutional system was explicitly designed to prevent.”

Here’s what we know: given the rate at which the government keeps devising new ways to establish itself as the “solution” to all of our worldly problems at taxpayer expense, each subsequent crisis ushers in ever larger expansions of government power and less individual liberty.

This is the slippery slope to outright tyranny.

You see, once the government acquires (and uses) authoritarian powers—to spy on its citizens, to carry out surveillance, to transform its police forces into extensions of the military, to seize taxpayer funds, to wage endless wars, to censor and silence dissidents, to identify potential troublemakers, to detain citizens without due process—it does not voluntarily relinquish them.

The lesson for the ages is this: once any government is allowed to overreach and expand its powers, it’s almost impossible to put the genie back in the bottle. As Harvard constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe recognizes, “The dictatorial hunger for power is insatiable.”

Indeed, the history of the United States is a testament to the old adage that liberty decreases as government (and government bureaucracy) grows. To put it another way, as the government expands, liberty contracts.

In this way, every crisis since the nation’s early beginnings has become a make-work opportunity for the government.

Each crisis has also been a test to see how far “we the people” would allow the government to sidestep the Constitution in the so-called name of national security; a test to see how well we have assimilated the government’s lessons in compliance, fear and police state tactics; a test to see how quickly we’ll march in lockstep with the government’s dictates, no questions asked; and a test to see how little resistance we offer up to the government’s power grabs when made in the name of national security.

Most critically of all, it has been a test to see whether the Constitution—and our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights—could survive a national crisis and true state of emergency.

Unfortunately, we’ve been failing this particular test for a long time now.

Indeed, the powers that be have been pushing our buttons and herding us along like so much cattle since World War II, at least, starting with the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, which not only propelled the U.S. into World War II but also unified the American people in their opposition to a common enemy.

That fear of attack by foreign threats, conveniently torqued by the growing military-industrial complex, in turn, gave rise to the Cold War era’s “Red Scare.” Promulgated through government propaganda, paranoia, and manipulation, anti-Communist sentiments boiled over into a mass hysteria that viewed anyone and everyone as suspect: your friends, the next-door neighbor, even your family members could be a Communist subversive.

This hysteria, which culminated in hearings before the House Un-American Activities Committee, where hundreds of Americans were called before Congress to testify about their so-called Communist affiliations and intimidated into making false confessions, also paved the way for the rise of an all-knowing, all-seeing governmental surveillance state.

By the time 9/11 rolled around, all George W. Bush had to do was claim the country was being invaded by terrorists, and the government used the USA Patriot Act to claim greater powers to spy, search, detain and arrest American citizens in order to keep America safe.

By way of the National Defense Authorization Act, Barack Obama continued Bush’s trend of undermining the Constitution, going so far as to give the military the power to strip Americans of their constitutional rights, label them extremists, and detain them indefinitely without trial, all in the name of keeping America safe.

Despite the fact that the breadth of the military’s power to detain American citizens violates not only U.S. law and the Constitution but also international laws, the government has refused to relinquish its detention powers made possible by the NDAA.

Then Donald Trump took office, claiming the country was being invaded by dangerous immigrants and insisting that the only way to keep America safe was to expand the reach of the border police, empower the military to “assist” with border control, and essentially turn the country into a Constitution-free zone.

That so-called immigration crisis then morphed into multiple crises (domestic extremism, the COVID-19 pandemic, race wars, civil unrest, etc.) that the government has been eager to use in order to expand its powers.

Joe Biden, in turn, has made every effort to expand the reach of the militarized police state, pledging to hire 87,000 more IRS agents and 100,000 police officers, and allowing the FBI to operate as a standing army.

What the next crisis will be is anyone’s guess, but you can be sure that there will be a next crisis.

So, what should you expect if the government decides to declare another state of emergency and institute a nationwide lockdown?

You should expect more of the same, only worse.

More compliance, less resistance.

More fear-mongering, mind-control tactics, and less tolerance for those who question the government’s propaganda-driven narratives.

Most of all, you should expect more tyranny and less freedom.

Given the government’s past track record and its long-anticipated plans for using armed forces to solve domestic political and social problems in response to a future crisis, there’s every reason to worry about what comes next.

Mark my words: as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, if and when another crisis arises—if and when a nationwide lockdown finally hits—if and when martial law is enacted with little real outcry or resistance from the public— then we will truly understand the extent to which the powers-that-be have fully succeeded in acclimating us to a state of affairs in which the government has all the power and “we the people” have none.

In the meantime, if all we do to reclaim our freedoms and regain control over our runaway government is vote for yet another puppet of the Deep State, by the time the next crisis arises, it may well be too late.

How far would you go to feed your family?  Hopefully that is a question that you will not have to answer any time soon, but right now we are seeing millions upon millions of people become more desperate as economic conditions rapidly deteriorate and food costs soar.  At this point, most Americans are just barely scraping by from month to month, and in poorer countries on the other side of the world there are people that are literally starving to death.  As I have detailed previously, the UN has reported that 2.4 billion people did not have enough food to eat last year, and 900 million of them were facing severe food insecurity.  Sadly, those numbers will inevitably be even higher for 2023.  A global rice crisis has erupted, and the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal has greatly restricted the flow of agricultural goods from that part of the globe.  Food costs are spiking all over the planet, and that is really bad news for all of us.

For those of us that live in the United States, the good news is that nobody is starving at this stage.

But food prices have become extremely oppressive, and economic conditions are quickly moving in the wrong direction.

670,000 full-time jobs have been lost in just the past two months, and on Friday we witnessed the worst unadjusted payrolls report for the month of August since the Great Recession.

Yes, things really are that bad.

One recent survey discovered that 61 percent of Americans are currently living paycheck to paycheck, but I expect this number to go even higher in the months ahead…

Inflation, mortgage rates over 7% and credit card APR’s north of 20% have pushed all income brackets into living paycheck to paycheck, according to a new survey from Lending Club Bank.

“In July 2023, 61% of U.S. consumers live paycheck to paycheck, unchanged from June 2023, but 2 percentage points higher than July 2022. Generally, more consumers of all income brackets reported living paycheck to paycheck in July 2023 than last year,” Alia Dudum, a money expert at LendingClub told FOX Business.

Things are particularly dire for low income workers.  That same survey discovered that a whopping 78 percent of those that earn less than $50,000 a year are living paycheck to paycheck at this point…

Lower-income workers have been the hardest hit by higher prices, particularly for food and other necessities, since those expenses account for a bigger share of the budget, studies show.

Now, 78% of consumers earning less than $50,000 a year and 65% of those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 were living paycheck to paycheck in July, both up from a year ago, LendingClub found. Of those earning $100,000 or more, only 44% reported living paycheck to paycheck.

As I discussed last week, U.S. households that are feeling financial strain are increasingly turning to debt to make ends meet, and this has pushed debt levels to unprecedented heights…

Total household debt climbed to a new high in the second quarter of 2023, reaching $17.06 trillion, with credit card debt exceeding $1 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. As interest rates stay high, costs continue to rise for expenses like housing and cars, and student loan payments resume, the amount of debt may rise, according to economists who spoke to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“The amount of debt outstanding, and in particular the surpassing of the $1 trillion mark, is significant and worrisome,” Peter Earle, an economist at the American Institute for Economic Research, told the DCNF. “It owes to a combination of several factors. The initial response to the pandemic, which prominently included the Fed setting policy (interest) rates at essentially zero for several years, made the amount of credit and the price of taking on debt extraordinarily cheap.”

As economic conditions get worse, people are becoming more desperate.

This is helping to fuel a crime wave all over the nation, and retailers are being forced to implement extreme measures.

According to the Wahington Post, a Giant Food store in Washington D.C. is actually going to be taking all Tide, Colgate and Advil products off the shelves completely because theft has become such a problem…

In the coming weeks, a Giant Food market in D.C. will clear its beauty and health aisles of all national labels. No more Tide, Colgate or Advil, only store brands. Shoppers also will have to present their receipts to an employee before exiting the store.

It’s the regional supermarket chain’s most overt gambit against the rampant theft that’s plaguing retailers of all sizes. It’s also a potential last-ditch effort to avoid shutting down the unprofitable store on Alabama Avenue — the only major grocer east of the Anacostia River in Ward 8.

An executive for the chain told the Washington Post that the company has “no other choice” and she noted that other stores in the area have done similar things…

“We have no other choice,” Diane Hicks, senior vice president of operations said Thursday during a walk-through with officials from the D.C. mayor’s office, the Metropolitan police and fire departments, and Chamber of Commerce. She added that other nearby stores have locked up all their product on those aisles or removed them altogether. “I’ve been leaving it out for our customers and unfortunately it just forces all the crime to come to us.”

This is where our entire society is heading.

It is just a matter of time before we see armed guards stationed in grocery stores and on food trucks all over America.

Desperate people do desperate things, and right now we are seeing things happen that are absolutely nuts.

Just a few days ago, an extremely shocking incident that happened in broad daylight at a Home Depot store in California made headlines all over the nation…

Brazen thieves were caught on camera casually walking out with $9,000 worth of goods from separate California stores as lawlessness in the state governed by Gavin Newsom continues.

A group of masked thieves stormed into a Home Depot store in Signal Hill on August 27 and stole $5,000 worth of power tools in full view of shocked staff and customers.

The seven men loaded two shopping carts with expensive goods and carried as much as possible in their arms before walking out.

These sorts of robberies have become so common that I couldn’t possibly cover them all.

We really are starting to become a “Mad Max” society.

Of course the truth is that the entire world is moving in that direction.  Global supplies of food are getting tighter and tighter, and the recent spike in rice prices has created a tremendous amount of concern…

Countries worldwide are scrambling to secure rice after a partial ban on exports by India cut global supplies by roughly a fifth. Global food security is already under threat since Russia halted an agreement allowing Ukraine to export wheat and the El Nino weather phenomenon hampers rice production.

Now, rice prices are soaring, and it’s putting the most vulnerable people in some of the poorest nations at risk. Vietnam’s rice export prices, for instance, have reached a 15-year high. Even before India’s restrictions, countries already were frantically buying rice in anticipation of scarcity later when the El Nino hit, creating a supply crunch and spiking prices.

Civil unrest has already started to erupt in various parts of Africa, but if current trends continue things will get a whole lot worse around the globe in 2024.

Are you prepared for what is ahead?

Right now, a lot of people are apparently asking that question.  In fact, according to Zero Hedge the number of Americans searching for the term “live off grid” on the Internet has hit the highest level in years…

What’s piqued our interest is the sudden panic by some Americans searching ‘live off grid’ on the internet, hitting the highest level in five years. The driving force behind finding a rural piece of land for dirt cheap, buying or building a tiny home, installing solar panels, and sourcing your own food and water might have to do with the worst inflation storm in a generation while Democrat cities implode under the weight of soaring violent crime.

I have been relentlessly warning my readers that “Mad Max” conditions are coming for years.

Anyone that took an honest look at the long-term trends should have been able to see that.

Global leaders have been making absolutely disastrous decisions for a very long time, and now we are all going to reap the consequences.

Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have also started a brand new Substack newsletter, and I encourage you to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of my articles.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post “Mad Max” Conditions Are Coming: Desperation Is Rising As The Economy Rapidly Deteriorates And Food Costs Soar appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

If you put up a blasphemous 60 foot tower and call it “the Chapel of Babel”, you should probably brace yourself for some consequences.  Every year, the Burning Man festival pushes the envelope farther and farther.  It really is the perfect “Mad Max” festival for our rapidly degenerating “Max Max” society.  This year, more than 70,000 people made the trek out into the desert, and that included hordes of celebrities and social media influencers.  At Burning Man, clothing is optional, weirdness is encouraged, and there is very little sexual restraint.  In fact, “the Orgy Dome” at Burning Man has become world famous for the activities that happen there.

You would think that all of that would be enough, but each year organizers try to take things to another level.

This year, they actually allowed artist Michael Garlington to put up a 60 foot tall tower known as “the Chapel of Babel”.  The following comes from his official website…

​From the irresistible imagination of Michael Garlington comes yet another magical creation for Burning Man 2023 – The Chapel of Babel. The Chapel is a re-occurring dream, years in the mind, reaching its manifestation. A hexagonal wooden structure will be clad with Garlington’s signature black-and-white photographs of various sizes creating stunning visuals throughout the structure. The human element in the portraiture, animals, flowers, insects, and leaves, will convey that we all belong here and will hold room for everyone in all versions and reiterations of their expression.

The hexagonal structure was covered with all sorts of bizarre decorations, and at the very top he put “a spire of stained glass”…

His Chapel of Babel, cloaked in thousands of photos taken over the last 35 years, is a striking sight — a black and white feast featuring cutout images of birds and reptiles, portraits, images of actors Susan Sarandon and Willem Dafoe donning ornate photo paper costumes, constructed and photographed by Garlington.

The top of the tower is capped with a spire of stained glass — actually plastic — that will fill the sculpture with light. There’s a main chamber anchored by a massive color photograph of Garlington’s father, which he calls the Wizard of Pa.

Did he really think that this was a good idea?

And did the organizers of Burning Man really think that this was a good idea?

They had to realize that they were just asking for trouble.

And trouble certainly arrived.

Starting on Friday, tremendous amounts of rain hammered the festival, and it turned the entire celebration into a massive quagmire…

About six inches of rain is believed to have fallen on Friday at the festival site, located about 110 miles north of Reno, the National Weather Service in Reno said.

Another three inches of rain is expected from late Saturday into Sunday and conditions are not expected to improve enough to allow vehicles to enter the playa,’ the U.S. Bureau of Land Management explained.

It got so bad that people literally couldn’t get out.

For now, the 70,000 people that are there are being advised to “shelter in place”…

Burning Man attendees are still struggling to escape from Black Rock City as around 70,000 remain stuck on muddy camp grounds following two days of heavy rainfall and one reported death.

Attendees of the countercultural music and arts festival were first advised to “shelter in place” and conserve food and water on Friday, according to notices from organizers. All inbound and outbound traffic was halted and will remain so until further notice.

More rain continues to fall, and so it may be a long time before everyone can go home.

At this point, conditions are so muddy that attendees are being told not to even ride their bikes…

“Do not ride your bike. Do not push your bike around,” a broadcaster for Burning Man Information Radio is heard saying in another video posted to TikTok. “Remain where you are. Secure structures and belongings in your camp. Don’t operate generators or other electrically-powered instruments that have been standing in water. Cover or secure anything electrical. Check on your camp-mates and neighbors to make sure they’re okay and help them as needed, and take advantage of a moment of calm to connect with camp-mates and hunker down.”

Whenever large numbers of people are gathered in one area and things get a bit crazy, some of those people are going to start becoming desperate.

There have already been reports of thefts, and one woman posted a video to Instagram in which she “described Lord of the Flies-like conditions”…

Meanwhile, many attendees took to social media to share their experiences while stranded at the festival. One festival-goer named Christine Lee posted a video to her Instagram story and described Lord of the Flies-like conditions.

“In some ways, it’s been fun and some ways it’s been scary. The ways it’s been scary, a lot of people that are in tents and in yurts are completely flooded. A lot of people have run out of food and water, and some people are stealing things, because that’s what happens when things get weird. There’s a little bit of this Lord of the Flies vibe, if you remember that book, where things might just get really weird. So we’re okay today, but I think it might get worse,” she said.

Eventually conditions will dry out and all of those people will be able to travel home.

But do you think that they will have learned anything?

There are things that happen at Burning Man that are so sick and so twisted that I cannot even mention them in this article.

Of course the truth is that our entire society has become extremely sick and extremely twisted.

And if we stay on the road that we are currently on, our entire society will experience very painful consequences.

So I don’t mean to just single out the Burning Man festival.

Ultimately, the Burning Man festival is simply a microcosm of our society as a whole, and hopefully we will reverse course while we still have the opportunity to do so.

Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have also started a brand new Substack newsletter, and I encourage you to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of the latest updates.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Now We Know Why It Was Not A Good Idea To Put Up A “Chapel Of Babel” At Burning Man… appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

How To Protect Yourself In The Coming Economic Collapse

The economy of the United States is, in theory, a Free Market economy.

This means our financial system follows the rule of Supply and Demand.

Products or services with high demand and low supply are worth more.

Those with low demand and high supplies are worthless, or maybe nothing at all.

Our economy is not a complicated system.

The financial markets are self-regulating, self-correcting, and pretty much in line with the laws of nature.

In our modern society, we trade paper money to indicate value.

Many think the paper has no value, but this is not true.

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Anything has as much value as someone is willing to trade for it.

I can give my local grocer $3.25 for a gallon of milk because he believes my $3.25 of paper money is tradable for his needs.

The paper reflects the value of the item or service.

Some problems arise from this system.

For example:

When governments print excess paper dollars, you get inflation.

Or, in some cases, not enough paper money (deflation).

↓ Why Inflation Will Turn To Deflation Fast – James Rickards ↓

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Why Would A Government Print Excess Dollars?

Well, the first reason is – simple mistakes.

The Federal Reserve (aka Central Bank) monitors the dollars in circulation.

Then it adjusts the Prime Interest rate.

Down to encourage banks to borrow more or up to borrow less from the Federal Reserve System.

If the Fed wants to combat inflation, they raise interest rates.

This then draws money out of circulation as banks pay large interest payments on the loan back to the Fed – thus removing the dollars from circulation.

It can lower interest rates if the Fed wants to stamp out deflation or stimulate the economy.

This creates more demand for borrowing and easy lending, incentivizing economic activity.

The general assumption is the Fed has the best interest of the US at heart.

That they always do what is best for the economy and the people.

But, when political forces are present, the President appoints the Fed Chairman, and the Fed may drop interest rates for political reasons.

To keep the easy money pumping money into an economy.

A process of slowly bleeding it to death.

Many believe that’s what’s been happening over the past few decades and today.

In the past, the Treasury sold bonds to pay for government borrowing – to pay the bills for our perpetual deficit spending.

But selling bonds affects much of our public debt to foreign governments.

Governments such as China, Japan, South Korea, Britain, etc.

These countries loan our government money and get paid back interest in return.

Large-Scale loaning of this sort has led to an over $20 trillion national debt (and counting)!

Due to this growing debt, these countries are starting to worry about our ability to repay this debt.

Every congressional budget cycle, we borrow more to pay off our old debt.

China, Japan, and others have cut back on their purchases of our treasury bonds.

We continue to spend more than we take in.

↓ The Debt Ceiling Explained: Why You Should Care ↓

So Where Is All The Money Coming From?

The procedure currently is Monetization.

Monetization means we are creating dollars with which to pay off our debt.

It’s a pretty neat trick.

Our Federal Reserve is loaning money to banks at a very low-interest rate.

The banks are buying Treasury bonds, which pay higher interest than the Fed is charging the banks.

These bonds allow the banks to take money from the Fed and move it to the Federal Treasury.

This then gives our Government the dollars they need to continue spending.

And the banks earn some interest with absolutely zero risks.

They essentially act as a money-laundering operation for the Federal Government.

Why do they do this?

Two reasons:

First off, banks have to make money to exist.

They make their money by loaning money.

The Federal Government has never reneged on a Treasury bond yet. So it’s a very safe investment.

In fact, the banks know the Government will go so far as to borrow more money to pay off the bonds.

Only failing businesses “borrow to pay off debt,” and they can only borrow so much.

Secondly, the Government can borrow as long as they have bond buyers.

And the Federal Government regulates the banks.

So if they’re not cooperative, the Government has tactics for making their lives a living hell.

Today the Fed’s purchases and transfers are all electronic and instantaneous.

The Fed says they will buy a bond, and the Treasury prints more money and then moves it into the Government coffers.

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So How Much Does The Federal Reserve Have In Reserve?

No one knows.

By law, the Federal Reserve cannot be audited.

The idea is the Fed is independent of political parties and the Government.

If the Fed could be audited, then political pressures could be placed on it by minority parties.

This could provide an accurate picture of the Fed’s reserves in desperate times.

This might cause public panic, bank runs, and even impact elections.

The irony is the measures put in place to keep the Fed independent also provide the means to manipulate it by the political party in charge.

Although many would like to see the Fed audited – the result could very well bring down the country.

The whole thing is a financial crisis waiting to happen.

A house of cards we as citizens can only hope is being managed correctly.

“Hope” is the key descriptor.

One saving grace is that the US dollar is the world reserve currency.

There is a lot of tangible value out there in the world wrapped up in our paper dollars.

If the rest of the world ever drops the dollar as a global reserve – our dollar will go the way of the Russian Ruble.

The good news is that most other national currencies are even less reliable than ours.

Although China now has a larger economy than the United States, no one trusts their money.

We are truly the best of the worse.

It’s evident to any free-thinking citizen this system is rife with risk and corruption.

↓ Global Currency: The Dollar Ain’t Going Nowhere ↓

What Happens When The Coming Economic Collapse Finally Occurs?

Simple.

The dollars we each have in our accounts, our 401Ks, and our wallets may become worthless, or nearly worthless, due to hyperinflation.

A total economic collapse has happened to dozens of countries in the last thirty years:

• Iceland
• Russia
• Zimbabwe
• Bolivia
• Bosnia
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Peru
• Poland
• Ukraine
• Romania

And to the United States several times since our founding.

Most notably after the Revolutionary War, during the Civil War, and the Great Depression.

And the Federal Reserve didn’t even exist at those times.

• So what happens when paper money becomes worth just that—worthless paper?
• What is your economic collapse survival plan?
• What will we use for money?

Remember, goods and services are tangible. 

Many will still exist after the coming economic collapse.

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How To Prepare For Economic Collapse

One fundamental principle to remember: don’t mistake cash dollars for value.

Cash dollars only have value if they can be traded for something with real value – items such as food, tools, hardware, fuel, etc.

• But what if no one will take dollars in trade?
• What becomes the new collapsed economy’s currency?
• What will the coming economic collapse look like?

The new economy will still operate under the rules of supply and demand – no getting around this.

It’s a law of nature.

The more in demand something is, the more value it has, and the more people will pay to get it.

But what will people use as currency if dollars are useless?

The Barter Economy

The Barter Economy is the natural evolution of supply and demand when the dollar fails.

This means people will trade tangible assets rather than paper money.

Not all tangible assets will hold the same value.

For instance, fish holds a certain value as a food source.

But a fishing pole will be hundreds of times more valuable.

So what are valuable tangible assets to help survive in a post-apocalyptic economy?

Survival food will have value, while heirloom seeds may have more in the long term.

Eggs hold value, but chickens have more.

Water always has value and will keep climbing in value as droughts and contamination continue to deplete supplies.

The asset’s value depends on whether they represent short-term or long-term value.

Food is immediate.

Durable goods are long-term.

Some common durable goods that will hold value include:

• Hand tools include saws, drills, hammers, axes, knives, etc.
• Rope, wire, paracord, fasteners, nails, building materials, generators, solar panels, survival stoves, batteries.

Some durable goods are hybrids – both short and long-term.

Cars, for instance, have long-term value.

But they are only as valuable as the availability of fuel, which is a short-term value.

↓10 Cheap Items That Will Go Up In Value After A Collapse ↓

There Are A Few Exceptions, Though…

Firearms have long-term value.

However, the availability of ammunition has a short-term value.

This should limit a firearm’s value, right?

Not exactly; firearms represent an anomaly.

A loaded firearm can mean the difference between life and death.

This gives it the ultimate value to the individual possessing it.

More valuable than food, water, or any other worldly possession.

In the case of a less altruistic individual, a loaded firearm can serve as a coercive force.

One to gain tangible assets belonging to someone else.

Giving the firearm value equal to whatever it can gain in this less-than-moral fashion.

This is something to keep in mind when trading with someone with an AR-15 slung over his shoulder.

Ammunition is an important asset even if you don’t own a firearm.

So you could start storing lots of it to prepare for the coming economic collapse.

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Even A Single Cartridge Can Be Bartered

A single .30-06 rifle cartridge can be a difference-maker.

The difference between a family eating or moving a week closer to starvation.
 
A $25 box of 525 .22 Long Rifle cartridges represents months of small game on the dinner table.

Providing essential proteins such as squirrels, rabbits, snakes, rats, etc.

One key point to remember: the rifle cartridges still represent months of food, even if you don’t own a rifle.

The trick is to find someone who does and trade them for something of equal value.
 
Ammunition is a great way to prepare for a post-apocalyptic world.

Rifle and pistol cartridges will always have value if you store them right.

One strategy to use is to arm yourself with firearms using very common cartridges.

The more common, the better.

The most common pistol cartridges are 9mm, 38 Special, and .45 ACP.

The most common rifle cartridges are 22 Long Rifle, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm.

Another important category with significant value is the difficulty in getting medications, like survival antibiotics and medical supplies.

When civilization’s economy collapses, our access to medications will dwindle.

However, people will continue to fall ill, perhaps in even larger numbers than before.

Even over-the-counter drugs will become incredibly valuable.

Some common medications and medical supplies to stock up on include:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• antibiotic creams
• antihistamines
• cough syrup
• cold and flu medications
• Band-aids
• bandages
• alcohol
• hydrogen peroxide
• oral thermometers

Or invest in a couple of good survival kits, and you’ll be good to go.

What About Vices For Economic Collapse Preparation?

People’s addictions don’t stop just because civilization has collapsed.

Here are a few that can be used for barter: cigarettes, beer, hard liquor, and if your post-apocalyptic address is in Colorado, well, you know…

How About Gold After The Coming Economic Collapse?

Precious metals have been used as investments and currency for thousands of years.

How do these fare in a post-apocalyptic world?

These assets represent a very different animal.

People will still value gold even in a post-apocalyptic world.

However, this value is very, very long-term and somewhat theoretical.

It’s based on the notion that the world will return to a normal state in the future.

At that point, the gold can be exchanged for cash.

Survival Gold has no immediate value.

• You can’t eat it
• It can’t catch a fish or kill a deer
• It can’t protect you or your family

However, some people will take it in trade.

Supreme caution must be exercised if you advertise the fact you possess gold.

If you try to trade with it, you will likely find someone with an AK-47 following you home.

Once there, if necessary, to relieve you of the rest of your gold by force.
 
Gold and silver are great investments to hedge against inflation, but only as a hedge.

It presumes the cash dollar still has some value. If the dollar fails completely, gold is nearly useless.

The people who do want it are the same people you don’t want to meet.
 
The barter economy will begin on Day One of the coming economic collapses.

What will you use on Day Two to provide for your families?

Better to begin stocking up today before it’s too late.

Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,

Cofounder Of Skilledsurvival.com & TheResilientLife.com

Born & Raised On A Rural Farm In The Midwest

Mechanical Engineering Grad From A Major University

Engineer With A Major Food Manufacturing Company

10+ Years Researching, Writing, & Teaching Preparedness

Mission: Help Folks Stop Living A Life Fragile To The Future

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.
In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report….

Click on the image to get the List & Report for FREE and find out if YOU live in a ‘Danger Zone’ County…”

Photo Credits: Bank / Garage Sale / Ammo / Cigs

The post How To Prepare (& Survive) The Coming Economic Collapse appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Censorship of the Internet has been getting worse for years, but we just crossed a threshold which is going to take things to a whole new level.  On August 25th, a new law known as the “Digital Services Act” went into effect in the European Union.  Under this new law, European bureaucrats will be able to order big tech companies to censor any content that is considered to be “illegal”, “disinformation” or “hate speech”.  That includes content that is posted by users outside of the European Union, because someone that lives in the European Union might see it.  I wrote about this a few days ago, but I don’t think that people are really understanding the implications of this new law.  In the past, there have been times when governments have requested that big tech companies take down certain material, but now this new law will give government officials the power to force big tech companies to take down any content that they do not like.  Any big tech companies that choose not to comply will be hit with extremely harsh penalties.

Of course mainstream news outlets such as the Washington Post are attempting to put a positive spin on this new law.  We are being told that it will “safeguard” us from “illegal content” and “disinformation”…

New rules meant to safeguard people from illegal content, targeted ads, unwanted algorithmic feeds and disinformation online are finally in force, thanks to new regulation in the European Union that took effect this month.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

When this new law was first approved, NPR admitted that it will enable European governments to “take down a wide range of content”…

Under the EU law, governments would be able to ask companies take down a wide range of content that would be deemed illegal, including material that promotes terrorism, child sexual abuse, hate speech and commercial scams.

In addition to “illegal content” and “hate speech”, the Digital Services Act also applies to “hoaxes” and any material that is considered to be “disinformation”.  The following comes from the official website of the European Commission…

At the same time, the DSA regulates very large online platforms’ and very large online search engines responsibilities when it comes to systemic issues such as disinformation, hoaxes and manipulation during pandemics, harms to vulnerable groups and other emerging societal harms.

These new content rules are so vague that they could apply to just about anything.

And that is precisely what they want.

From this point forward, if you post something that they do not like, they will have the power to have it taken down.

Even if you don’t live in the European Union, they can have your content taken down, because someone in the European Union might see it.

So who will be doing the censoring?

Well, it is being reported that “hundreds of unelected EU bureaucrats will decide what constitutes disinformation and instruct Big Tech firms to censor it”…

Under this Orwellian regime, a team of hundreds of unelected EU bureaucrats will decide what constitutes disinformation and instruct Big Tech firms to censor it. The firms themselves, faced with reputational risk and financial penalties, will have little choice other than to comply. This can be done in all manner of ways: simply by human moderators removing content, by shadow-banning problematic creators to reduce their reach, by demonetising certain content, and by tweaking algorithms to favour or disfavour certain topics. And though, legally speaking, the DSA only applies in the EU, once installed inside Big Tech firms, this vast content-regulation apparatus will surely affect users in the rest of the world, too.

In addition, the official website of the European Commission is telling us that big tech companies must “react with priority” to any content that has been reported by “trusted flaggers”…

A priority channel will be created for trusted flaggers – entities which have demonstrated particular expertise and competence – to report illegal content to which platforms will have to react with priority.

This means that far left organizations that have been set up to police content online will now be given extraordinary power to restrict speech on the Internet.

Needless to say, the Internet is never going to be the same after this.

Initially, this new law will apply to 19 very large online platforms…

The online platforms affected are Alibaba AliExpress, Amazon Store, Apple AppStore, Booking.com, Facebook, Google Play, Google Maps, Google Shopping, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok, X (listed as Twitter), Wikipedia, YouTube, the European clothing retailer Zalando, Bing and Google Search.

If any of those large online platforms choose not to comply with the new law, the penalties could be extremely severe…

A firm that does not comply with the law could face a complete ban in Europe or fines running up to 6% of its global revenue.

Last month, X/Twitter said it was on track to generate $3bn (£2.4bn) in revenue. A fine of 6% would be the equivalent of £144m.

Once we get to February 24th, 2024, the Digital Services Act will also apply to a vast multitude of smaller platforms.

At that point, it will be very difficult to escape the reach of this new law.

And just to make sure that they can keep a very close eye on things, the EU just established a brand new office in San Francisco on June 22nd…

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton cut the ribbon to commemorate the official launch of the European Union’s San Francisco office on Thursday, June 22, alongside Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis, California State Senator Scott Wiener, and Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs Adrian Vazquez.

“I am very glad to be here today in Silicon Valley, a global centre for digital technology and innovation, to officially inaugurate the new European Union office in San Francisco,” Commissioner Breton said in his keynote address to an audience of business and technology sector leaders. “As like-minded partners who strive for reciprocity and common principles, all while respecting our respective democratic processes, our transatlantic ties are more relevant than ever in the area of technology.”

For many years, the Internet was one of the last bastions for free speech.

But now everything has changed.

From this point forward, far left European bureaucrats will get to determine what is acceptable and what is not acceptable on our large online platforms.

Direct government censorship of the Internet is here, and that is going to make it much more difficult to share the truth with a world that desperately needs it.

These are such dark times, and they are getting darker with each passing day.

Michael’s new book entitled “End Times” is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here.

About the Author: My name is Michael and my brand new book entitled “End Times” is now available on Amazon.com.  In addition to my new book I have written six other books that are available on Amazon.com including “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of these books you help to support the work that I am doing, and one way that you can really help is by sending copies as gifts to family and friends.  Time is short, and I need help getting these warnings into the hands of as many people as possible.  I have also started a brand new Substack newsletter, and I encourage you to subscribe so that you won’t miss any of my articles.  I have published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe.  I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but I also ask that they include this “About the Author” section with each article.  The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions.  I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, I strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

The post Direct Government Censorship Of The Internet Is Here appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

How To Protect Yourself In The Coming Economic Collapse

The economy of the United States is, in theory, a Free Market economy.

This means our financial system follows the rule of Supply and Demand.

Products or services with high demand and low supply are worth more.

Those with low demand and high supplies are worthless, or maybe nothing at all.

Our economy is not a complicated system.

The financial markets are self-regulating, self-correcting, and pretty much in line with the laws of nature.

In our modern society, we trade paper money to indicate value.

Many think the paper has no value, but this is not true.

Do YOU Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?
Find out NOW with my Danger Zone County List & Special Report – It’s 100% FREE… Click here now for Instant Access!

Anything has as much value as someone is willing to trade for it.

I can give my local grocer $3.25 for a gallon of milk because he believes my $3.25 of paper money is tradable for his needs.

The paper reflects the value of the item or service.

Some problems arise from this system.

For example:

When governments print excess paper dollars, you get inflation.

Or, in some cases, not enough paper money (deflation).

↓ Why Inflation Will Turn To Deflation Fast – James Rickards ↓

Do YOU Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?
Find out NOW with my Danger Zone County List & Special Report – It’s 100% FREE… Click here now for Instant Access!

Why Would A Government Print Excess Dollars?

Well, the first reason is – simple mistakes.

The Federal Reserve (aka Central Bank) monitors the dollars in circulation.

Then it adjusts the Prime Interest rate.

Down to encourage banks to borrow more or up to borrow less from the Federal Reserve System.

If the Fed wants to combat inflation, they raise interest rates.

This then draws money out of circulation as banks pay large interest payments on the loan back to the Fed – thus removing the dollars from circulation.

It can lower interest rates if the Fed wants to stamp out deflation or stimulate the economy.

This creates more demand for borrowing and easy lending, incentivizing economic activity.

The general assumption is the Fed has the best interest of the US at heart.

That they always do what is best for the economy and the people.

But, when political forces are present, the President appoints the Fed Chairman, and the Fed may drop interest rates for political reasons.

To keep the easy money pumping money into an economy.

A process of slowly bleeding it to death.

Many believe that’s what’s been happening over the past few decades and today.

In the past, the Treasury sold bonds to pay for government borrowing – to pay the bills for our perpetual deficit spending.

But selling bonds affects much of our public debt to foreign governments.

Governments such as China, Japan, South Korea, Britain, etc.

These countries loan our government money and get paid back interest in return.

Large-Scale loaning of this sort has led to an over $20 trillion national debt (and counting)!

Due to this growing debt, these countries are starting to worry about our ability to repay this debt.

Every congressional budget cycle, we borrow more to pay off our old debt.

China, Japan, and others have cut back on their purchases of our treasury bonds.

We continue to spend more than we take in.

↓ The Debt Ceiling Explained: Why You Should Care ↓

So Where Is All The Money Coming From?

The procedure currently is Monetization.

Monetization means we are creating dollars with which to pay off our debt.

It’s a pretty neat trick.

Our Federal Reserve is loaning money to banks at a very low-interest rate.

The banks are buying Treasury bonds, which pay higher interest than the Fed is charging the banks.

These bonds allow the banks to take money from the Fed and move it to the Federal Treasury.

This then gives our Government the dollars they need to continue spending.

And the banks earn some interest with absolutely zero risks.

They essentially act as a money-laundering operation for the Federal Government.

Why do they do this?

Two reasons:

First off, banks have to make money to exist.

They make their money by loaning money.

The Federal Government has never reneged on a Treasury bond yet. So it’s a very safe investment.

In fact, the banks know the Government will go so far as to borrow more money to pay off the bonds.

Only failing businesses “borrow to pay off debt,” and they can only borrow so much.

Secondly, the Government can borrow as long as they have bond buyers.

And the Federal Government regulates the banks.

So if they’re not cooperative, the Government has tactics for making their lives a living hell.

Today the Fed’s purchases and transfers are all electronic and instantaneous.

The Fed says they will buy a bond, and the Treasury prints more money and then moves it into the Government coffers.

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

So How Much Does The Federal Reserve Have In Reserve?

No one knows.

By law, the Federal Reserve cannot be audited.

The idea is the Fed is independent of political parties and the Government.

If the Fed could be audited, then political pressures could be placed on it by minority parties.

This could provide an accurate picture of the Fed’s reserves in desperate times.

This might cause public panic, bank runs, and even impact elections.

The irony is the measures put in place to keep the Fed independent also provide the means to manipulate it by the political party in charge.

Although many would like to see the Fed audited – the result could very well bring down the country.

The whole thing is a financial crisis waiting to happen.

A house of cards we as citizens can only hope is being managed correctly.

“Hope” is the key descriptor.

One saving grace is that the US dollar is the world reserve currency.

There is a lot of tangible value out there in the world wrapped up in our paper dollars.

If the rest of the world ever drops the dollar as a global reserve – our dollar will go the way of the Russian Ruble.

The good news is that most other national currencies are even less reliable than ours.

Although China now has a larger economy than the United States, no one trusts their money.

We are truly the best of the worse.

It’s evident to any free-thinking citizen this system is rife with risk and corruption.

↓ Global Currency: The Dollar Ain’t Going Nowhere ↓

What Happens When The Coming Economic Collapse Finally Occurs?

Simple.

The dollars we each have in our accounts, our 401Ks, and our wallets may become worthless, or nearly worthless, due to hyperinflation.

A total economic collapse has happened to dozens of countries in the last thirty years:

• Iceland
• Russia
• Zimbabwe
• Bolivia
• Bosnia
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Peru
• Poland
• Ukraine
• Romania

And to the United States several times since our founding.

Most notably after the Revolutionary War, during the Civil War, and the Great Depression.

And the Federal Reserve didn’t even exist at those times.

• So what happens when paper money becomes worth just that—worthless paper?
• What is your economic collapse survival plan?
• What will we use for money?

Remember, goods and services are tangible. 

Many will still exist after the coming economic collapse.

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

How To Prepare For Economic Collapse

One fundamental principle to remember: don’t mistake cash dollars for value.

Cash dollars only have value if they can be traded for something with real value – items such as food, tools, hardware, fuel, etc.

• But what if no one will take dollars in trade?
• What becomes the new collapsed economy’s currency?
• What will the coming economic collapse look like?

The new economy will still operate under the rules of supply and demand – no getting around this.

It’s a law of nature.

The more in demand something is, the more value it has, and the more people will pay to get it.

But what will people use as currency if dollars are useless?

The Barter Economy

The Barter Economy is the natural evolution of supply and demand when the dollar fails.

This means people will trade tangible assets rather than paper money.

Not all tangible assets will hold the same value.

For instance, fish holds a certain value as a food source.

But a fishing pole will be hundreds of times more valuable.

So what are valuable tangible assets to help survive in a post-apocalyptic economy?

Survival food will have value, while heirloom seeds may have more in the long term.

Eggs hold value, but chickens have more.

Water always has value and will keep climbing in value as droughts and contamination continue to deplete supplies.

The asset’s value depends on whether they represent short-term or long-term value.

Food is immediate.

Durable goods are long-term.

Some common durable goods that will hold value include:

• Hand tools include saws, drills, hammers, axes, knives, etc.
• Rope, wire, paracord, fasteners, nails, building materials, generators, solar panels, survival stoves, batteries.

Some durable goods are hybrids – both short and long-term.

Cars, for instance, have long-term value.

But they are only as valuable as the availability of fuel, which is a short-term value.

↓10 Cheap Items That Will Go Up In Value After A Collapse ↓

There Are A Few Exceptions, Though…

Firearms have long-term value.

However, the availability of ammunition has a short-term value.

This should limit a firearm’s value, right?

Not exactly; firearms represent an anomaly.

A loaded firearm can mean the difference between life and death.

This gives it the ultimate value to the individual possessing it.

More valuable than food, water, or any other worldly possession.

In the case of a less altruistic individual, a loaded firearm can serve as a coercive force.

One to gain tangible assets belonging to someone else.

Giving the firearm value equal to whatever it can gain in this less-than-moral fashion.

This is something to keep in mind when trading with someone with an AR-15 slung over his shoulder.

Ammunition is an important asset even if you don’t own a firearm.

So you could start storing lots of it to prepare for the coming economic collapse.

Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Even A Single Cartridge Can Be Bartered

A single .30-06 rifle cartridge can be a difference-maker.

The difference between a family eating or moving a week closer to starvation.
 
A $25 box of 525 .22 Long Rifle cartridges represents months of small game on the dinner table.

Providing essential proteins such as squirrels, rabbits, snakes, rats, etc.

One key point to remember: the rifle cartridges still represent months of food, even if you don’t own a rifle.

The trick is to find someone who does and trade them for something of equal value.
 
Ammunition is a great way to prepare for a post-apocalyptic world.

Rifle and pistol cartridges will always have value if you store them right.

One strategy to use is to arm yourself with firearms using very common cartridges.

The more common, the better.

The most common pistol cartridges are 9mm, 38 Special, and .45 ACP.

The most common rifle cartridges are 22 Long Rifle, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm.

Another important category with significant value is the difficulty in getting medications, like survival antibiotics and medical supplies.

When civilization’s economy collapses, our access to medications will dwindle.

However, people will continue to fall ill, perhaps in even larger numbers than before.

Even over-the-counter drugs will become incredibly valuable.

Some common medications and medical supplies to stock up on include:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• antibiotic creams
• antihistamines
• cough syrup
• cold and flu medications
• Band-aids
• bandages
• alcohol
• hydrogen peroxide
• oral thermometers

Or invest in a couple of good survival kits, and you’ll be good to go.

What About Vices For Economic Collapse Preparation?

People’s addictions don’t stop just because civilization has collapsed.

Here are a few that can be used for barter: cigarettes, beer, hard liquor, and if your post-apocalyptic address is in Colorado, well, you know…

How About Gold After The Coming Economic Collapse?

Precious metals have been used as investments and currency for thousands of years.

How do these fare in a post-apocalyptic world?

These assets represent a very different animal.

People will still value gold even in a post-apocalyptic world.

However, this value is very, very long-term and somewhat theoretical.

It’s based on the notion that the world will return to a normal state in the future.

At that point, the gold can be exchanged for cash.

Survival Gold has no immediate value.

• You can’t eat it
• It can’t catch a fish or kill a deer
• It can’t protect you or your family

However, some people will take it in trade.

Supreme caution must be exercised if you advertise the fact you possess gold.

If you try to trade with it, you will likely find someone with an AK-47 following you home.

Once there, if necessary, to relieve you of the rest of your gold by force.
 
Gold and silver are great investments to hedge against inflation, but only as a hedge.

It presumes the cash dollar still has some value. If the dollar fails completely, gold is nearly useless.

The people who do want it are the same people you don’t want to meet.
 
The barter economy will begin on Day One of the coming economic collapses.

What will you use on Day Two to provide for your families?

Better to begin stocking up today before it’s too late.

Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,

Cofounder Of Skilledsurvival.com & TheResilientLife.com

Born & Raised On A Rural Farm In The Midwest

Mechanical Engineering Grad From A Major University

Engineer With A Major Food Manufacturing Company

10+ Years Researching, Writing, & Teaching Preparedness

Mission: Help Folks Stop Living A Life Fragile To The Future

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.
In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report….

Click on the image to get the List & Report for FREE and find out if YOU live in a ‘Danger Zone’ County…”

Photo Credits: Bank / Garage Sale / Ammo / Cigs

The post How To Prepare (& Survive) The Comping Economic Collapse appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Wondering How The World Will End?

Today, I’m going to share what I believe are the 9 biggest threats to humanity.

Each of these threats has the potential to destroy our way of life.

Heck, some of these threats could be existential.

And unfortunately, the likelihood of any of the following threats occurring in our lifetimes is rising.

Why?

• Because as technology advances exponentially…
• And the interconnected nature of the world continues unabated…

The probability (and size) of great human mistakes also increase.

And here’s what’s truly concerning…

When you add up the chances of the following 9 threats occurring in our lifetimes, it seems all but certain we’ve got tough times ahead.

Perhaps we’ll see with our own eyes exactly how the world ends…

Note: You can either watch the video below or skip over it and continue reading the article; the content is nearly identical.

↓ The 9 Biggest Threats To Life As We Know It ↓

Here’s a list of all the “world ending” threats I’ll be covering today:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Nuclear War

2. Super Artificial Intelligence

3. Cyber Warfare

4. Bioengineering

5. Nano Weapons

6. Famine & Droughts

7. Out Of Control Governments

8. Antibiotic Resistance

9. Inflation | Economic Collapse

1. Nuclear War

If you could convert every atom in a tiny paper clip into pure energy (leaving no mass whatsoever), it would yield roughly 18 kilotons of TNT!

That’s the size of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945.

Hard to believe? Yes, but the proof is in the equation:

E=mc²

It looks so compact and harmless without any context, right?

But that’s massively misleading.

The information contained in that equation is powerful enough to end all human civilization.

In physics, energy and mass are different forms of the same thing.

So, if you split an atom (mass), you force the mass to convert into energy.

But a tiny mass stores a MASSIVE amount of potential energy based on E=Mc².

↓ The Real Meaning of E=mc²↓ 

This is why nukes are so dammed scary.

This equation was discovered by genius mathematician Albert Einstein, who fully understood the consequences of this discovery.

He once said,

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”

While he didn’t call out Nuclear War specifically, he understood that this powerful equation (and future weapons) would no longer affect just local societies alone.

We now (for the first time in history) achieve the power, tech, know-how, and capability to end the world.

Some nuclear experts predict that a massive nuclear exchange of weapons between major superpowers would not only destroy hundreds of major cities in the blast (and potentially billions of lives).

But the radioactive fallout would also kill millions (perhaps billions) more over the following years.

Worst yet, radioactive fallout in high dosages can cause hyper-aggressive cancers in humans.

Any with high levels of radioactive fallout exposure would become the literal walking dead (they won’t know it until it’s too late!).

↓ How to Survive Nuclear Fall Out ↓

Bunkers Not Basements

And regular basements offer very little protection.

You need feet (not inches) of dense concrete or packed dirt to slow down the deadly onslaught of radioactive fallout.

Not only this, but some folks believe global temperatures would plummet after such a nuclear exchange.

This is due to the massive amount of dust and ash it would thrust into our upper atmosphere.

This blanket of ash would significantly reduce the intensity of solar rays reaching the earth’s surface.

This, in turn, would make growing crops anywhere near current yields all but impossible.

And thus, create a worldwide famine for decades to come.

↓ Nuclear Winter Nightmare ↓

World Wide Political Tensions Are On The Rise

And unless you’ve been living under a rock, the threat of all-out nuclear war is rising due to unrelenting worldwide political tensions.

Plus, every year, more and more rogue Nation States are rushing to join the nuclear proliferation club.

All these facts add up to one hell of a scary future.

And this is why Nuclear War is at the very top of this “how the world ends” threat list.

2. Super Artificial Intelligence

I used to think Super AI was just a silly Hollywood trope.

I mean, the Terminator movies were interesting in the mid-80s and early 90s but back then, I thought they had very little semblance to reality.

Well…I now believe I was wrong.

I’ve changed my mind after reading an incredible article about Super AI from the blog WaitButWhy.

This article lays out the incredible risk of Super AI in a way that’s easy to understand and with enough detail to punch you in the gut.

The truth is, there’s no way for me to go over the entire argument here.

You should read the article yourself, but today, I’ll give you a short introduction.

Super Intelligence Is Closer Than You Think

First off, Super AI is not as far off from reality as most people think…

Why? Because technological advancement is NOT linear, it’s exponential.

So, the time between one major technological advancement to the next is shrinking, FASTER and FASTER.

For example, computing power doubles every 18 months.

At that rate, at the beginning of computing power, you’ll see very little progress for a long time…

And then suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, in a blink of an eye, computers have the same brain power as humans.

This is why I believe Super AI is NOT far off; a “best guess” based on “expert” consensus is around 2040…

And THAT might be too conservative.

Why? Because we’ve already seen some evidence of robots making their own decisions…

And some computer programs beat humans in complicated strategic games such as Chess.

And yes, these AI systems are NOT “Super AI”…yet.

Super AI would be achieved when a “thinking” robot connects to the internet and learn EVERYTHING humans have ever written or known.

And with all this intellectual power (of new-aged physics, nanoparticles, quantum mechanics, psychology, biology, philosophy, etc.), such a super AI computer would be a “conscious” entity way smarter than any human.

And not by a small margin either; by a MASSIVE amount. I’m talking about God-like Super Intelligence.

And with this superior intellect, what are these robots now capable of?

Well, damn near ANYTHING.

↓ Elon Musk | Superintelligent AI is an Existential Risk To Humanity ↓

Will Super AI Have A Moral Compass?

And will these “awake” robots have a moral compass?

Will they adopt human-based ethics?

Perhaps they might, IF (big if) humans program them with one.

But we humans are not nearly as intelligent as we “think” we are.

And it’s way more complicated than it seems to put human-based moral guardrails into a computer program.

And this is assuming humans could even agree on morals, which we all know is a big reason for massive riffs in society since Adam and Eve.

The best attempt I’ve come across to write such a code says something like,

“Our coherent extrapolated volition is our wish if we knew more, thought faster, were more the people we wished we were, had grown up farther together; where the extrapolation converges rather than diverges, where our wishes cohere rather than interfere; extrapolated as we wish that extrapolated, interpreted as we wish that interpreted.”20

Or, here’s my attempt at a translation,

“We realize we don’t know as much as we think we know, so please take pity on us, and treat us like we’d like to be treated if we, indeed, knew as much as you know now. And, Oh, don’t eliminate us! Thanks”.

If we can maintain some human moral compass within a Super AI computer, perhaps, they’ll help humanity usher in a better future.

A utopia without diseases, famine, strife, or aging.

If We Fail? Then What?

But if we fail and they consider humans a cancer to be eliminated…then what?

I mean, if you were super intelligent, would you want to “save” humanity?

Or get rid of us and move on?

No one knows, but if they decide to eliminate us, they will have the tech and knowledge to do so easily in any number of ways.

Nuclear bombs, Cyber-attacks, Nano weapons…

A Super AI could get access to EVERYTHING, launch ANYTHING, or create whatever it needs.

It could trick humans, manipulate leaders, and save or ruin us all…

If it’s amoral or, worse, evil…we don’t stand a chance.

Now, the point isn’t to figure out EXACTLY how this will all play out.

The point is:

Super AI is a REAL potential threat to humanity.

That’s why I believe Super AI is a contender for how the world ends.

↓ Super intelligent A.I. Will Be Unstoppable ↓

3. Cyber Warfare

Have you ever heard of the term “Zero Day Exploits”?

They’re a term used in the hacker world to reference the “most powerful and potent software vulnerabilities.”

And these “zero-day” vulnerabilities are at the heart of a new-aged underground arms race.

Why? Because hoarding these “zero-day exploits” allows Nation States to easily spy on each other through tech devices and the internet.

The most extreme examples of this are tech allows anyone with a particular “Zero Day” to infiltrate ANYONE’s phone ANYWHERE in the world, PASSIVELY (meaning you don’t need to get an active click first).

It’s spyware called Pegasus.

↓ Israeli Pegasus spyware used ‘zero click-attack’ to infect smartphones ↓

That’s right, the BEST (maybe I should say worst?) “Zero Day” exploits can get into nearly any security system and pull whatever levers it chooses unbeknownst to the user.

What Cyber Warfare Looks Like

This goes WAY beyond spying and privacy concerns.

I’m talking about blowing up nuclear plants (from within) by:

• Changing factory PLC controllers
• Shutting down power plants
• Frying electrical transformers.
• Cutting off oil pipelines and refiners
• Messing with food delivery systems and logistics, causing havoc in critical supply chains.

How Will The World End – Book Recommendation

All these possible threats are laid out in a gripping book, “This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends.”

It’s an excellent book if you want to know more about this threat, including cyber-weapons history, how we got here, and what the future may hold.

The bottom line is:

I’m now convinced cyber warfare is one of the most underappreciated threats to harm society right NOW.

Unlike Super AI, this is NOT a future threat; it’s a current ongoing underground war most folks have very little idea is taking place.

At least not until their power is out and gas stations are empty with no end in sight…

Then we’ll fully understand and suffer the dire consequences and experience firsthand how the world ends for us all.

↓ Cyberwarfare| How World War 3 Will Be Fought ↓

4. Bioengineering

Why do humans have to mess around with things we don’t understand?

How does it make any sense to create biological chemicals and weapons that can destroy mankind?

Because THAT is where bioengineering is headed.

Again, as technology advances exponentially, the ability for more and more people to access bioengineering knowledge, skills & tools continue to grow.

And I don’t care how “secure” any bio-facility claims to be – the existential risks are not worth the “rewards.”

↓ Engineering Viruses Are the New Biological Weapons ↓

Controlling Access To This Tech IS A Major Problem

It’s no longer JUST Nation States with the tech to manipulate biological diseases to make them more dangerous and contagious.

Every year, biotech equipment gets cheaper and more accessible to more and more groups of humans.

How many years in the future will some brilliant, disgruntled high school student decide to replicate an Ebola virus that’s more contagious and deadly?

That possibility is NOT science fiction – sure, we’re not there yet, but such a reality is on the horizon.

And well before we ever get THERE, terrorist groups and rogue nation states will be there first.

Perhaps only a few years away from such immense power.

I’ve even heard it may be possible in the future to create a bioengineered virus that only targets specific people with specific DNA profiles.

↓ Congressman warns DNA tests could be used for a bioweapon ↓

So, let’s say a deadly virus that only kills you if you have a certain percentage of bloodlines (i.e., European, Asian, African, Native American, etc.)?

The sad truth is:

We’re already messing with things we don’t fully understand, and any mistake (or attack) could prove deadly to most of humanity.

This sure sounds like how to world ends to me.

• But is it possible to avoid such a terrible fate?
• To figure out how to control these existential bioengineering advancements?
• To only use them for “good” and not “evil.”

With humans, the answer is NO!

Out-of-control bioengineering could very well be how the world ends.

5. Nano Weapons

As we discussed earlier, nuclear bombs are a massive threat in destruction potential.

But since humans can’t convert ALL mass into energy (yet), most nukes are relatively large.

They currently require some rocket launcher, or they’re dropped from planes.

Perhaps they could be loaded into a semi-trailer, but we can all agree you can’t sneak them into a purse, right?!?

With the advancement of nanotechnology, THAT will no longer be the case…

Mini Nukes

What if I told you the technology to put a micro nuclear weapon that could fit in a purse was just around the corner?

Nanotechnology allows the manufacture of mini-nuke components so small that they are difficult to screen and detect.

The mini weapon (equivalent to about 100 tons of TNT) could be less than 5 lbs. and could easily destroy skyscrapers.

Nanodevices are machines much smaller in size than the strand of human hair, making them nearly undetectable to the human eye.

In the future, insect-like nanobots could be programmed to perform various tasks, such as spying on political opponents or contaminating the water supply of a major city with ease.

Or a Nano drone could fly into a room and drop poison into food or a drink to target a particular individual.

Again, the exponential growth of tech is the common denominator here.

As these technologies continue to appear, their risks also continue to grow.

↓ 10 TINY Micro Robots and Nano Drones ↓

And humans will be behind the curve ball in controlling or combating such tech if used by bad actors.

Having this sort of tech in the hands of major Nation States is scary enough.

But what happens with small groups or individuals gain access to this end-of-the-world tech?

Again, we’re talking scary how the world ends tech here.

6. Widespread Famine & Droughts

This is the first threat to humanity that’s not directly rooted in technology.

I mean, famines and water shortages are ancient threats, right?

From the beginning of human history, the fear of starvation and dehydration has terrorized us all.

In the past, famines primarily came from weather-related events (floods/droughts) or war.

And while these root causes of famine still exist today, the scope, severity, and likelihood are all on the rise.

And not only THAT, but there are a few new contributors as well.

For example, topsoil depletion is a genuine problem.

One in which will not only result in less food (due to lower crop yields) but also the food that’s harvested having fewer nutrients.

↓ Why The World Is Running Out Of Soil ↓

So over time, the amount of food and the “value of the food” will undermine our already precarious food security.

So even IF wars don’t break out (which is highly unlikely) and politicians work together (even less likely), the depletion of topsoil nutrients may no longer be able to support the extreme size of humanity.

Again, I don’t have an exact timetable here, and perhaps with all our new tech, we can figure this problem out.

But the trends are concerning, and the risk of worldwide famine is increasing at an alarming rate.

And I haven’t even touched on climate change, which we all know will worsen famines and droughts. That’s why I think this could be how the world ends.

↓ Why California is Running Out of Water ↓

7. Out Of Control Tyrannical Governments

The increased potential for Tyrannical Government Control (in traditionally free Western Societies) is rising.

And I believe 2 main forces are driving this trend toward Tyranny.

1. The Rise of Post-Modern, Nihilism Philosophies
2. Decentralization (via Loss of Narrative & Money Supply Control)

Let me dive into each of these a bit to help you understand what I mean.

1. The Rise of Post-Modern, Nihilism Philosophies

This philosophical threat was brought to my attention by Dr. Jordan Peterson.

Perhaps you’ve heard of him?

If not, he’s a phycologist from Canada who’s been outspoken about the new radical left (a.k.a. Woke).

Now, his arguments are full of nuance and details I can only hope touch on…

So, here’s my best attempt to summarize his argument:

Over the past few decades, our universities have promoted a postmodern, Nihilistic doctrine.

This way of thinking has absolutely dominated the humanities and social sciences.

The postmodernists completely reject the structure of Western Civilization.

They call Western Civilization a phallocentric society, one that’s steeped in male domination.

And is oppressive and self-serving to everyone EXCEPT for privileged white males.

And, of course, there’s a thread of truth to these concerns because there’s never been a shortage of flaws in any structured society.

No matter how people decide to structure things, there will be winners and losers…

Because, as humans, we’re NOT angels, and this is NOT heaven!

There will be those in power and those without.

There’s no way around that FACT.

But when you compare Western Society to the rest of the world, it’s proven to be vastly better and fairer in structure than anything else ever offered.

Western Society (with all its flaws) is still FAR BETTER than tyrannical Governments and Communism when it comes to individual freedoms and human rights, and it’s not even close.

What The Post-Modernists (a.k.a radical left) Believe

But postmodernists don’t accept that.

They don’t have a shred of gratitude in their philosophy.

Instead, they’re driven by resentment.

Resentment and bitterness, even though they’re bathed in relative wealth.

And living with resentment as your central ethos is a horrible, destructive way to live.

Postmodernists also don’t believe in the individual; they don’t believe in logic, and they don’t believe in dialogue to figure things out through the exchange of ideas.

They disagree with letting others speak (with “wrong” ideas)– it’s not part of their ethos.

Postmodernists believe your fundamental identity is group fostered.

You’re just an exemplar of your race, your sex, your ethnicity, etc.

And based on these categories, you fall either into a group called “victim” or a group called “oppressor.”

This is similar to Marxist ideas of “elites vs. workers.”

This creates a power struggle.

Oppressors are vilified and must be removed from power and demonized.

It’s never about competence.

It’s about perceived oppression for all past sins, with no exceptions.

They believe anyone in the “oppressors’ category” must be removed and will longer get a seat at the table.

Regardless of their individual contributions, morality, or competence.

And this dangerous idea of “oppressors vs. victims” is behind many historical human tragedies worldwide.

↓ The Biggest THREAT To Our Society We MUST FIGHT Against ↓

But Complex Systems Break With Incompetence

Things don’t go well when you no longer run society with the most competent people.

Complex systems tend to break economically and logistically and collapse in on themselves.

Sorry, but putting incompetent people in positions of power (CEOs, Government agencies, Judicial appointments, politicians) is complete folly for society.

Having people who are “good at being victims” gain power and influence and run critical businesses and government agencies creates an escalating downward spiral into economic depression and collapse.

Again, we have many issues in our Western Society that should be addressed within the current system to make it better and fairer and support those oppressed.

But it is a very dangerous experiment to throw it all away and start over with absolute power in the hands of those who are good at being victims.

2. Decentralization

Now on top of this “trend to overthrow current Western culture,” let’s add a bit of decentralization into the mix.

And NOW you have a very potent brew for Tyranny…

FACT: Those who control the Narrative & money supply control the people.

So, what do you think happens when Nation States (who’ve been controlling the Narratives and Money Supplies for centuries) lose this control?

Historical Upheaval Due To The Printing Press

The last time there was massive Narrative upheaval was after the first scalable printing press was developed (in the 1400s).

Soon after, the powerful Church, Priests, and Monarchies could no longer control the masses with their interpretations of the Bible (and other works of literature).

With the printing press, people could, for the first time, read and decide for themselves.

This one invention alone turned the world on its head.

The centuries following that invention destroyed the power structure of Priests and Monarchies.

Many historians believe the printing press was a significant contributor to the Thirty Years’ War that changed the world from Monarchy rule and gave rise to the modern Nation State.

Our Modern-Day Printing Press Moment

Well, the next wave of Narrative upheaval is here via the internet.

And this time, the modern “Nation-State” is in the upheaval crosshairs…

But just like the change from Monarchy to Nation States, will the ones in power willingly give up control?

Or will they enact Tyranny in a desperate effort to keep and maintain control?

This shift in control is one of the key reasons why Tyranny will continue to rise.

Narrative Control Is Slipping Away

In the past, Nation States used mainstream media to control the news narrative (i.e., propaganda).

There were only a handful of news networks and newspapers, so the Governments could pressure these gatekeepers to keep information in check.

But with the internet and social media, the narrative control is slipping away FAST.

Between sites like Twitter and Substack, there’s no longer any barrier to entry into the “narrative” or truth domain.

Anyone with a computer and a voice can create a media channel, and inconvenient ideas (that go counter to what Governments would like) can be distributed across the globe with the click of a button.

That is why these ideas are being labeled as “disinformation” and “misinformation” to control the Narrative by shutting down inconvenient messaging.

Joe Rogan is a perfect example of this. His podcast draws in 11 million viewers per show on average.

This is much bigger than traditional news media such as CNN Primetime (less than a million per show).

But Joe doesn’t cover news and information in small unsatisfying “quick takes” or gotcha “sound bites.”

Instead, he deep dives into nuanced conversations about complex topics covering philosophy and politics and challenging the “experts.”

This is very inconvenient for the government and those in power.

And this trend (this inconvenience) will only worsen, and governments worldwide will NOT go quietly into the night.

To continue to hold onto power for as long as possible, they’ll be forced to attack those who challenge them.

Attack them by shutting them down and getting rid of them if necessary.

This Is Tyranny 101.

Money Supply Control Is Slipping As Well

And not only THAT, but the Nation States also need to control the money supply.

They need to be able to track individual incomes and tax them at rates that keep the money coming in.

If they lose the ability to track and tax, what happens?

Well…the entire Nation State structure fails.

If Governments stay large and revenues go down?

It’s only a matter of time before things get worse.

And before the advent of cryptocurrencies, there was no threat of losing money control.

But now, with crypto and encryption, there are more ways to get around Government taxation.

And not only THAT, but more and more billionaires can leave their Country of origin and move somewhere much more friendly to their bottom line.

Heck, some live on Yachts and avoid taxation altogether.

These “super-rich” are avoiding massive taxation, money modern Nation States need to survive into the future.

↓ How the Rich & Powerful Hide Their Money ↓

If the taxation supply shrinks, Governments will be forced to shrink, go further into debt, or attack those who they believe are “cheating” and raise taxes on everyone to protect their size and power.

But as taxes rise, more people will be incentivized to find ways to avoid being taxed.

This is another dangerous cycle, where a Nation State will be forced to become increasingly authoritarian to keep its power to control the populace.

Because, again, those who control the Narrative and the money supply have ALL the power.

These 2 major trends, “dangerous philosophical ideas and decentralization,” in much of modern Society are all pointing towards greater and greater Tyranny.

Perhaps even a lawless, collapsed society where your own Government is NOT your friend but the enemy.

Another terrifying example of how the world may end…

8. Antibiotic Resistance

The medical miracle of antibiotics has saved countless lives over the centuries.

But this miracle may be quickly coming to an end.

Before Antibiotics

Bacterial infections have killed untold numbers of folks throughout human history.

Why? Because without antibiotics, it doesn’t take much for an infection to fester and overwhelm your immune system to the point of death.

It was a very common way to die before the advent of modern-day antibiotics.

Now, with antibiotics, if you get an infection, you go to the doctor, who prescribes the proper dosages, and the infection goes away.

But due to humans’ tendency to not finish their proscribed antibiotic regimen, not all the sneaky bacteria die.

A few little buggers survive.

And those that survive, well, they build up a bit of resistance to the antibiotics.

This is bad because, over the years, the bacterial microbes that’ve had repeated exposure to the antibiotics survive and build up increasing resistance to them.

So now, when you take the meds that should kill the infection, they don’t.

And this has been happening at an alarming rate over the past few years.

More bacteria are getting harder to kill.

And our very best antibiotics are no longer working.

And not only THAT, but at the same time, we’re running out of new antibiotics to fight these resistant bacteria strains.

↓ Antibiotic Resistance | Are we creating super bacteria? ↓

The Modern Miracle Of Antibiotics Is Ending

Basically, the modern miracle of antibiotics is losing its magic AND FAST.

The future could be full of many more deaths due to bacterial infection, more in line with the past.

For example, in 2019, more than 1.2 million people (potentially more) died directly from antibiotic-resistant infections.

And this will only get worse as we have yet to come up with alternative treatments.

Such a future of mass death due to antibacterial resistance could create an untenable strain on our medical systems and many other modern-day grids.

This could lead to an exponentially downward spiral of death and economic collapse, and a prime example of how the world ends.

9. Inflation Leading To Complete Economic Collapse

Hyper-Inflation

• How about dangerous, out-of-control inflation?
• Also called hyperinflation.
• Could it destroy the world as we know it?

If it was widespread enough, yes, I think it could.

We don’t need to search hard to find some examples:

• In Hungary, just after World War II, prices doubled every 15 hours
• In Zimbabwe 2007-2008, prices doubled every day
• Venezuela’s CPI grew by 65000% from 2017 to 2018

If we saw this type of hyperinflation of the US Dollar, a jug of milk that costs $4 today may cost $8 tomorrow, followed by another price hike to $16 the next day.

If left unchecked, that $4 gallon of milk would cost over a billion dollars by the end of a month.

So basically, the $ would quickly become completely worthless.

And THAT would cause an immediate worldwide societal collapse overnight.

The world is too dependent on the dollar for it not to create mass poverty, looting, riots, and uncontrollable anarchy.

Every human, everywhere, would be overtaken by fear and lash out against their neighbors and their societies.

All-out anxiety and panic will be the main ingredients to the end of the world, and hyperinflation may be the spark to light that fire.

↓ TOP Five Worst cases of Hyperinflation in History ↓

Scary, yes, but to be honest, such a scenario is not likely anytime soon with the US dollar.

US inflation would likely not be THAT aggressive.

What About Stubborn Inflation?

What about slightly elevated inflation but for more extended periods?

If left unchecked, even 10% inflation per month and over time would put insane amounts of pressure on an economy.

Day by day, year by year, everything would get more expensive.

This would be disastrous for anyone on a fixed income, such as retired folks.

Everyone on the economic ladder, from the poor to the lower class to the middle class, etc., would all move down a peg.

So, if you’re middle class, you’re buying power would diminish, and unless you worked harder or got a big raise, you’d plunge into the lower class.

And those in the lower class would drop into the poor.

Think this sort of trend would undermine society as a whole?

Such an environment would be ripe for civil unrest, strife, and anarchy.

I’m talking about mass looting of stores, bank robberies, etc.

Because paper money (or digital money) only has worth because others agree it has worth.

If others lose confidence in this fact, the value of it goes down FAST.

OR if a corrupt Government decides to print more money, then the dollars you currently hold lose some of their value over time.

How Inflation Worked In The Past

In the ancient past, Governments would devalue a currency by adding fewer rare metals into each coin.

They would replace Gold or Silver with lesser valuable alternatives.

The populace would detect this “fraud,” and inflation would occur since people would require MORE coins (more Gold / Silver) to make up for the difference.

How Inflation Works Today

The same idea comes into play with modern-day Governments that print money out of thin air to pay for more services, foreign aid, etc.

If you print more money faster than the number of goods and services that can be bought, inflation will eventually catch up.

At this point, you must slow down the economy (through rising interest rates) and stop printing money to stop inflation.

Slower economic activity slows the speed of money being exchanged and allows the Government to buy back some of the extra dollars sloshing around.

We’ve Lost All Self Control

But this all requires Government officials to show immense self-control.

And to stop raising Government debt and even pay some of it down.

But those actions are incredibly unpopular.

Asking folks to pay the price today to prevent a future calamity has never gotten ANYONE elected.

We ALL prefer to ignore the pain that’s building up behind the scenes and pretend it doesn’t exist.

But the more debt you have, the more fragile you become.

This is an absolute truth, whether you’re talking about YOU, me, or a Nation.

Because there are no “free lunches” regarding finance and debt, if you keep digging a deeper hole, you can delay the pain for a while, but eventually, it’ll catch up.

And when it does, there will be end-of-the-world type hell to pay.

How Will The World End Wrap Up

Is it possible to prevent such an end-of-the-world blow-up?

Possible Yes, Probable No.

Greed and power have always proven to be too much for humans to handle.

And the future will be NO different.

Humanity (in general) is much too broken to negotiate a future of massive debt, advanced tech, and interconnectedness.

Greed, hate, spite, envy, and revenge are too powerful to tame.

Eventually, we will:

• Invent new technology we don’t fully understand
• Develop new biological weapons we can’t fully control
• Fight each other with these weapons to control vital resources

WE are the common denominator in all 9 of these threats.

In the end, WE are our own worst enemy; and that’s why corrupt humanity is ultimately how the world will end.

Since you’re still reading, I’m guessing you’re a bit shaken up.

And at this point, I “could” say, “I’m sorry for that,” and try and make you feel better.

But then, I’d be a liar.

I honestly believe the risks to our current modern way of life are at an all-time high.

And I don’t see these risks becoming less and less severe over time. I see the opposite.

The number of ways in which the world could end is growing.

And yet…I still hope we can thread the needle and reach the other side of these threats, both “healthy and prosperous.”

But HOPE is NOT a strategy.

Protecting Yourself & Your Family

And if you want any chance to protect yourself and those you love from the future, you must STOP living a FRAGILE life.

You need to start living what I call a Resilient Life.

It’s the only way to take matters into your own hands and avoid being a victim of future turmoil.

And the first step is to determine where you stand on the Fragile vs. Resilient spectrum.

• Are you currently fragile?
• Or are you resilient?
• How much food, water, and medical supplies do you have?
• Can you ride out a multi-week power outage?
• Do you have a backup source of heat?

You must answer these questions to figure out precisely WHERE YOU STAND…

Only then can you finally do something about it?

And the good news is I created a short and easy Readiness Score Quiz.

Once complete, it’ll show you exactly how fragile or resilient you are to all these “how the world will end” scenarios.

If you want to stop fretting about how the world will end, focus on being more resilient. And the first step on that journey is to take my Readiness Score Quiz.

After, you’ll know where you stand, so you can finally do something about it and prepare for the tough times ahead!

Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,

Cofounder Of Skilledsurvival.com & TheResilientLife.com

Born & Raised On A Rural Farm In The Midwest

Mechanical Engineering Grad From A Major University

Engineer With A Major Food Manufacturing Company

10+ Years Researching, Writing, & Teaching Preparedness

Mission: Help Folks Stop Living A Life Fragile To The Future

P.s. Do You Live In A ‘Danger Zone’ County?

Find out now using my Danger Zone County List & Special Report it’s absolutely FREE.
In minutes you’ll know EXACTLY where you stand and if you should be worried or not..

So click here to get my FREE Danger Zone County List & Report….

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The post How Will The World End? The 9 Most Terrifying Threats appeared first on Skilled Survival.

Just in time for the new COVID-19 “vaccine” boosters are new variants. The mainstream media and ruling class are ramping up the “vaccine” propaganda to try to convince people to be injected for a fourth time.

COVID-19 mRNA Shots Are Legally Not Vaccines

We had mentioned the new “vaccines” before these new variants were announced.

FDA Discusses COVID-19 “Vaccine” Boosters For The Fall

Now that there are magically new variants, the “vaccines” will of course protect you, even though the first three shots aren’t protecting people.

What A Surprise! The New COVID “Vaccines” Will “Protect” Against The New Variant

What’s hilarious, is the mainstream media knows that this timing looks suspicious to the critical thinkers, so they are trying to spin it. According to Fox 23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma,  doctors say this uptick is happening just before the updated vaccine booster is approved and available. Dr. Emily Grewe-Nelson, a primary care physician at Hillcrest HealthCare System, said she’s considering wearing a mask again when she sees patients.

Mask Mandates Return: Lionsgate Employees Told To Wear Face Masks

“Definitely seeing increased numbers, increased number of cases of COVID on an outpatient basis. Hospitalizations are also up quite a bit too,” said Grewe-Nelson.

Grewe-Nelson said she’s seen a week-over-week increase in COVID-19 patients at Hillcrest’s Utica Park Clinic. “I hadn’t seen a positive case in a while, at least a month or two, and then all of the sudden I’m seeing a big percentage of people that I’m testing for COVID come up positive,” she said.

Grewe-Nelson said the symptoms may not be what you expect, like a headache, sinus symptoms, or allergy symptoms. So literally allergies are now COVID, so go get the shot.

She said getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine will help people avoid the worst of the virus, but the newest vaccine for people under 65 years old doesn’t come out until next month. “The vaccine that’s going to be coming out in September is going to be the most updated one. It’s going to be better equipped to handle what we’re seeing in the community now,” said Grewe-Nelson.

The rulers really need people to get these shots and are pulling out all the stops to make sure their puppets in the medical system comply and inject as many as they can. They are literally profiting off of the demise of the slave class, and it has become apparent at this point.

Doctor: COVID “Vaccines” Have Killed 13 Million People Worldwide

Lionsgate has told its employees to mask up again as several new COVID-19 variants are spreading in the United States. Workers must remain masked up while working amongst colleagues, and can only be removed for specific tasks such as eating.

Not to be outdone, an Atlanta college has also insisted on reinstating its mask mandate as students return to school from summer break. Morris Brown College is once again requiring students and employees to wear face masks on campus.

It looks like we could experience another slow slide into medical tyranny soon unless people are willing to stand up for themselves this time.

According to a report by The Independent, this policy change follows several employees testing positive for Covid in recent days and weeks, and the national rise in people being admitted to hospital for the virus. The email was delivered by Sommer McElroy, Response Manager for Lionsgate/Starz.

“Employees must wear a medical grade face covering (surgical mask, KN95 or N95) when indoors except when alone in an office with the door closed, actively eating, actively drinking at their desk or workstation, or if they are the only individual present in a large open workspace,” McElroy said in the memo, first reported by Deadline. Remember, the virus can’t get you while you’re eating or drinking. Only if you try to be social.

Since the idiocy of 2020, several studies have been conducted that show face masks are less than useless at preventing colds, cases of flu, and COVID-19. They are pretty good at restricting oxygen to the brain, however.

UK Study Confirms Face Masks Are Useless

Peer-Reviewed Study Shows “Little To No Difference” In Preventing COVID, Flu Infection With Masks

Not to mention, no one will be getting the flu this year, or a cold. Once again, everything is going to be labeled COVID in order the panic the gullible masses into compliance.

They Admit It: The Flu Has Disappeared Now That COVID Is Here

The mandate will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

As far as Morris Brown College goes, President Kevin James told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an email Monday that the college has received no reports of cases on its own campus yet. He described the steps as “precautionary measures.”

Whistleblower Claims Biden Will LOCKDOWN The Country AGAIN

Morris Brown also instructed students to maintain physical distancing and said there will be no parties or large student gatherings on campus for the next two weeks. It will require students and employees to undergo temperature checks when they arrive on campus.

YouTube has created a new framework to crack down on so-called “medical misinformation” and boost its censorship campaign on the platform. The quick slide into dystopia is getting quicker.

YouTube has been known to ban and censor channels that tread too far from the official narrative.

YouTube Gives Itself “Free Expression” Award Then Brags About Censoring Dissent

“In the years since we began our efforts to make YouTube a destination for high-quality health content, we’ve learned critical lessons about developing Community Guidelines in line with local and global health authority guidance on topics that pose serious real-world risks, such as misinformation on [Wuhan coronavirus] COVID-19, vaccines, reproductive health, harmful substances and more,” reads a blog post written by YouTube. “We’re taking what we’ve learned so far about the most effective ways to tackle medical misinformation to simplify our approach for creators, viewers, and partners.”

YouTube Hides ‘Dislikes’ Following Mass Downvoting of Biden Administration Videos

According to Natural News, YouTube’s new policy will streamline its existing policy into three distinct categories, which would make it easier in the long term for the platform to suppress medical information. The three types of so-called medical misinformation that will be censored are “Prevention, Treatment, and Denial.”

“To determine if a condition, treatment or substance is in scope of our medical misinformation policies, we’ll evaluate whether it’s associated with a high public health risk, publicly available guidance from health authorities around the world, and whether it’s generally prone to misinformation,” reads YouTube’s blog post.

Kind of like they did with ivermectin, right? After insulting, banning, and censoring those who dared to say it could help with treatments of COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration finally admitted that the “conspiracy theorists” were correct.

FDA Decides Doctors Can Now Prescribe Ivermectin For COVID-19

Along with targeting so-called medical misinformation about COVID-19, YouTube will also be targeting alleged misinformation regarding cancer treatments. The company said it will begin to remove “content that promotes cancer treatments proven to be harmful or ineffective, or content that discourages viewers from seeking professional medical treatment.”

This includes content that promotes so-called “unproven treatments;” treatments that claim to be guaranteed cures; and treatments that have specifically been blacklisted by health authorities. Among the examples YouTube noted include claims regarding garlic and vitamin C and their ability to deal help the fight against cancer.

Along with removing all content questioning the medically-approved treatments for cancer, YouTube will also begin promoting cancer-related content from so-called “authoritative sources” like the Mayo Clinic and the WHO. -Natural News

The ruling class, with the help of the mainstream media giants, are going to do what they can to make sure we stay sick and unhealthy and therefore, never question that they have the solution and we need to subjugate ourselves to get it.