Shit Really Might Go Sideways
By Daniel Miessler on October 15th, 2008: Tagged as Economics | Election 2008 | Personal
I’ve been a bit depressed lately. I’m behind on projects at work, and it’s really getting to me. I haven’t been working out (which leads to a lack of enthusiasm for life). I haven’t been learning much new in my field lately (due to being behind on projects). Etc. Etc.
Meh.
But that’s not the bad part. What I’m really worried about is the economy. Yeah, I know, everyone is. But I’m not worried about how a milk costing 20% more will affect me; I’m worried about how it’s effect on other people is going to effect me. That sounds selfish, and maybe it is, but what I’m saying is that I have an unshakeable feeling that things are about to go sideways.
I mean seriously sideways. Like civil unrest. Like looting. Like…sideways.
My problem is that I tend to go heavy on the hyperbole with things like this. I have an active imagination, and it’s impossible for someone with my minimal knowledge of macro-economics to understand what the true variables are. This combination leads to speculation–in a bad way.
But what I do think I have a handle on is the potential for violence within our country. I don’t think most realize how little the perception of order needs to be disrupted for large numbers of people, within every city, to simply decide to go batshit crazy. And that’s just for fun. That’s not counting when they actually can’t eat. Then it’s going to get seriously messed up.
So what’s a logical person to do? You don’t go buy shotguns and booby traps and prepare to kill your neighbors. That’s lame. And you don’t just sit back and hope (or pray) that everything will be fine. That’s lame too.
Logic lies somewhere between those extremes. My current recommendation is to buy enough food, water, and supplies to be able to not go outside for 2-4 weeks. And to consider buying a weapon to protect yourself and your family. Nothing outrageous: a handgun or rifle, or whatever, and some rounds.
In other words, don’t go all Mad Max and shit, but don’t be naive either. I don’t expect things to stay bad for long before they get set back right. Chaos is not good for those in power, so all the iron filings will push us towards order pretty quickly. And if that doesn’t happen, and it gets really bad, well…that’s just not even worth contemplating since you will be helpless regardless of how well you prepare (unless you can live off the land and protect yourself indefinitely).
So yeah, we’re only preparing for the minor craziness–like 2-4 weeks worth of minor civil unrest, some looting, some food shortages, etc.–not the apocalypse stuff.
Anyway, why do I think this is necessary? Because I am of the opinion that we’re about to see a period of hyper-inflation caused by the world failing to “believe in”, i.e. back, our currency. And we’ll just print more…and more…and more…until it becomes virtually worthless.
Enter $20 gallons of milk, and $15 gallons of gas.
Now, considering that some 37 million Americans live in poverty, what do you think that’s going to do to crime when they can’t pay for their basic needs? They’re going to do the same thing you or I would do, i.e. whatever it takes.
I see dark times ahead. Hopefully I’m wrong (along with Peter Schiff and Glenn Beck and countless others) and I can bury this post along with all my other stupid ones–of which there are many.
But I might not be. And if I’m not then you’re going to wish you got your 2-4 weeks of food and water and supplies together like I recommended. I’d rather feel stupid about doing it and never needing it than the other way around.
Anyway, here’s to hoping I’m being stupid.: