The "Shitstorm of Uncertainty" in the United States
Being prepared is no longer optional. Make a plan. Conditions will continue to deteriorate.
It wasn’t too long ago that the typical “prepper” was seen as a fanatic, readying for an imaginary doomsday scenario such as a supervolcano or chemical warfare. Today, interest in the topic of preparedness within the United States is at a sustained all-time high, and has absolutely entered mainstream discourse.
Why? The perfect storm is brewing in our country, and regardless of where you live or who you voted for, you’re at risk on multiple fronts. We’re going to call it the “shitstorm of uncertainty.”
What is the “Shitstorm of Uncertainty”?
Simply put, we’ve allowed our government(s) and private industry to make very bad decisions that put us at significant risk. The main categories of risk, as I see it based on my research, are:
Power grid / utility / infrastructure problems
Food insecurity / supply chain disruption
Invasion of privacy / erosion of constitutional rights / destruction of free press
Potential for global conflict / war
Every single one of these is a credible threat that could impact millions of people at any given time. It is not hard to imagine how one of these threats can lead to another, or how they may converge:
Example 1: Natural Disaster
In this scenario, a population is impacted by a disaster such as flooding, wildfires, or a hurricane. The resulting loss in power means refrigeration capabilities are limited. Aging infrastructure could cause accelerated destruction of roadways. Running water and sewage treatment could cease to function. In a crisis scenario such as this one, many people will do whatever it takes to provide food and shelter for their families. Stores could be looted, homes could be burglarized, and unrest could accelerate at a rapid pace. We saw this happen during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, although it is suggested that some reports were exaggerated.
Example 2: Civil Unrest
With sufficient civil unrest, entire economies can be disrupted. A nationwide general strike or other activities that take people away from work could quickly cause a cascading effect of financial instability and supply chain disruption. Even the 2024 Boeing facilities strike alone, lasting roughly 3 weeks, caused an economic impact of $8.2 billion and caused the loss of 20,000+ jobs. This was all accomplished by 4,222 people, so imagine what could happen if Americans take to the streets in large numbers for extended periods of time — especially if this includes people who stock our supermarkets, repair our water mains, and keep our lights on.
Example 3: Erosion of Constitutional Rights
Americans will only tolerate this type of activity for so long. We will not stand idly by while we and our fellow citizens are being stripped of rights that are guaranteed to us. As people are deported without due process and detained indefinitely without cause, we’ve already seen the level of civil unrest escalate. We know this can cause economic damage that can cascade into supply chain disruption as well. In this case, it could be a self-perpetuating cycle of increased unrest.
The Point: It Won’t Just Be One Event
America’s resilience is currently being tested on multiple fronts simultaneously. We cannot pretend that one event is happening in isolation from the others; rather, so much of it is intricately interconnected. That is why your own resilience is going to matter immensely in the years ahead. Whether you are living in a large city, a suburban neighborhood, or a compound in the woods, there are certain things that everyone should be doing to ensure readiness for the brewing shitstorm.
In the upcoming “Preparedness 101” series, we’ll look at the importance and practical implementation of topics such as:
Mental & Psychological Resilience
Information & Education
Building Community / Trust Networks
Digital & Communication Readiness
Financial & Employment Preparation
Household & Practical Readiness
Civic Engagement
What Not to Do:
Don’t wait for things to “return to normal.” They won’t. Once normalized, the shift to authoritarian control will only accelerate.
Don’t assume the courts or elections will make our situation any better. Institutional collapse/control is a key component of the strategy that’s currently being executed.
Don’t ignore what happens to “other” groups. By the time your identity is threatened, it may be too late to act freely, and there may be significantly fewer people to stand up for you if you don’t stand up for them first.
Don’t dismiss early dissenters as “extreme.” Many people who were perceived as “alarmists” in past authoritarian regimes were simply early observers pointing out a significant problem.
If You Do Nothing Else, Do This:
Build a local network of trusted people
Install Signal to encrypt your communications and protect your privacy
Keep a physical record of key contacts and personal/household information
Learn and exercise your constitutional rights (especially the First and Second Amendments)
Stock up on essentials in case there is a disruption
Practice saying “no.” Do not comply.