(WND)—In November of 2016, Ida Auken, a member of parliament in Denmark and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council, wrote a now-infamous article that was later republished by Forbes. Its original title was “Welcome to 2030. I own nothing. I have no privacy, and life has never been better.” In her article, Auken describes her utopian ideal of how things will play out to form her perfect happy place. Below, you will find my take on how this might play out:
Welcome to 2030. Life is very different, but it’s good. The global elites were able to form a consortium of major corporations and banking giants to squeeze out nonconformity in the mainstream. People were simply unwilling to boycott effectively because it meant doing without a bit.
Freedom of speech was the first to fall. When communications became “free,” it was no more safe to speak freely for anyone. The promise of free renewable energy was dangled like a carrot to anyone willing to move into a 15 minute cities. But we saw that the price was not couched in terms of dollars and cents, but rather in loss of vital freedoms.
We had realized early on we needed to chart a different path. We had moved to a remote property and began learning to live off the land, acquired animals, changed our eating habits. We met our (distant) neighbors, formed friendships and area coalitions of our own, mostly through our county sheriff and the local church. So many of us within those church walls were convinced we were seeing prophecy playing out before us; still are.
When the 15 minute cities finally locked down, some of our family members were caught inside. The stories we heard from the lucky ones who got out were hair-raising. Totalitarian rule and local power-hungry despots are an ugly thing to see.
In the 15 minute cities, the promise of free everything was just a myth. The available food was sub-par at best; nothing fresh, all lifeless and processed, shipped in from afar. Necessities were scarce because everything was either broken or just unavailable since there was little to no manufacturing going on. No one had any desire to work since all they would get from doing so was the same – nothing – as everyone else. Morale was low; there was filth and disease everywhere, which is why so many tried to escape. Many failed and died trying, but that was just fine with the authorities: they were told the fewer, the better. Such is the Malthusian mindset – no need for care or mercy. There’s too many useless eaters anyway.
We, on the other hand, were thriving in the deep country. We lost power early on when they cut us off from the grid and other forms of power like natural gas. But some of us had viable solar, wind and geothermal systems that could provide enough output for a refrigerator/freezer and a few lights and fans. Others of us just dug a root cellar and went low tech. In fact, we discovered that was the key to quiet (unnoticed) living. It was actually nice in winter to eat dinner by the light of the bees wax candles we dipped ourselves.
We don’t have any way to shop for what we need. Instead, it is incumbent upon us to preserve, as much as possible, all that we have. There is no waste here, for we cannot afford it since we live so close to the edge of getting by. Nobody here is fat anymore! We are forced to use our ingenuity to make what we need. Figuring things out is actually quite fun. Working together to bring in and preserve a crop or process and share a calf is gratifying when we survey a full larder and experience exceptional food and full tummies. It makes us truly thankful for what we do have: good food and excellent friends and family. It’s a hard life, but it’s very fulfilling. We are not pampered and lazy like we were before. Instead we work hard and enjoy the fruit of our labor.
We have much deeper personal relationships through shared work and family life, and we all look more fully to God for every blessing. Instead of spending evenings after work with our faces individually in our respective devices, living our lives separately, our family reads together or plays board games. We sometimes even have old fashioned neighborhood gatherings where the local musicians share their gifts, someone reads a poem or puts on a short play and we all have a fun time enjoying one another’s company. Our memory seems to be improving too, with every day away from a computer or TV screen. We no longer depend on the internet or digital devices because they can be tracked.
Medical needs were a difficult thing to overcome. Early on, when a neighbor got ill and went for care and never returned, we finally figured out the price of that care: entrapment. So we found ways to solve problems without hospitals and pharmaceuticals. Instead we use natural remedies, herbals and prayer; all surprisingly effective. Funny thing is, though, once we started eating only that food we grew from our own lands and that of our neighbors, we seemed to have fewer medical issues. In fact, we were much stronger from all the outdoor labor, in more ways than one.
Our daily lives are somewhat constrained by handling necessities, but we get to choose what those are, not some idiot bureaucrat who doesn’t know the first thing about animal husbandry or gardening, or some AI that is only regurgitating what somebody wrote in a book a decade ago. We have no fear that our every keystroke is being cataloged for later use to manipulate or control us because we have no use for such technology. We do, however, have to be careful to avoid the patrols, satellites and drones. The Lord has been good to us, hiding us like Corrie ten Boom’s Bible.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
