I’m trying very hard to get around all this by driving an older car, having hard assets and only keeping a minimal amount in a bank account, living in the country, using cash etc etc. But someone down the road has a Ring camera that records me every time I drive past. The nearest city, where I sometimes need to go, has Flock cameras everywhere. What on earth can we do!!??
Nothing to worry about (that’s a joke). This is the third report I read about this stuff in just two days! And when three different people are talking about it, it’s most likely true. And a legitimate threat.
Thanks, John! I’ll get into some of that in future pieces. But step one is always the same - just being aware this stuff exists, and how advanced/ intrusive it already is. Knowing it’s out there, and understanding their end goal. You’d be amazed how many people never even think these things through in their day-to-day lives. Probably 90% or more.
Im wondering how much any of these new vehicles will need to be financed. The threat is real though, I saw it begin in the 90s. Hell Luftansa had real time monitoring of of their engines in flight; heat generation, engine performance, fuel cosumption. Autos moving toward more and more computer engine controls. Back then plugging in the scanner into the data link connector allowed anyone to test/shutdown components in the vehicle, as an example; fuel injectors, fuel pump, ignition kill, interior lights,..... via ECM. Naturally it immediately dawned on me. If we can do this in the shop, well then, so can anyone via wireless technology. Then a bigger realization, the car is no longer yours. It's someone elses. ! And your paying for it. I laughed so hard, I actually told one fellow that the recent hybrid vehicle he bought with a subsidy where he contributed with a trade in on his older vehicle, a fine vehicle at that and I said to him, " the vehicle you just bought is not really yours". I laughed and he at first looked puzzled followed by laughter. I dont think he knew the joke was on him.
You're right, the building blocks have been there for decades. The difference now is that all the separate systems - engine telemetry, cabin sensors, connectivity - are being wired together into one integrated platform. And that platform talks to the cloud. Now add AI into the mix - systems that can analyze behavior, detect patterns, predict actions, and make decisions in real time - and that’s a whole different animal you’re dealing with.
A very interesting read, thank you. I went to fact check about your remark about Bernie Sanders and didn’t like the framing. This is what Grok said (Claude said something simlar)
“No, there’s no credible evidence that Bernie Sanders ever called the USSR his “favorite country.” This claim appears to be a hyperbolic or meme-style jab from political critics, often tied to his 1988 trip there.5
Context on Sanders’ Views and the 1988 Trip
• The trip: As mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Sanders (newly married) joined an official delegation to the Soviet Union in 1988 to establish a “sister city” relationship with Yaroslavl. It was a short (about 10-day) visit during the late Gorbachev era of glasnost (openness) and reform efforts, shortly before the USSR’s collapse in 1991. He described it as a “very strange honeymoon.” The goal was citizen diplomacy and reducing Cold War tensions, aligning with broader U.S. efforts at the time (e.g., Reagan’s own engagement with Gorbachev).11
• What he said: In press conferences and footage upon return, Sanders praised specific aspects of Soviet life he observed, such as:
◦ The Soviets’ willingness to acknowledge problems (self-criticism) and their admiration for American technology/openness.0
• He contrasted these with U.S. issues like high healthcare/housing costs and pushed for learning from both systems while criticizing aspects like the Soviet housing crisis. He did not endorse the political system, communism, or authoritarianism.1
• His broader record: Sanders has long identified as a democratic socialist (in the vein of Nordic models like Sweden or Denmark, not Soviet-style communism). He has criticized the Soviet Union as authoritarian, opposed its human rights record, and supported U.S. sanctions on Russia in later years. Critics (especially conservatives) highlight the trip and selective quotes as evidence of naivety or sympathy for communism; defenders note it was a peace/diplomacy effort common at the time and that he acknowledged flaws.13
Sanders was overly positive or selective in some 1988 remarks (e.g., downplaying visible deprivation during a guided tour), but this falls short of declaring the USSR his favorite country. No quotes or records support that specific claim—it’s an embellishment of his documented praise for certain public services amid Cold War-era diplomacy.2
In short, he showed interest in (and some admiration for) elements of Soviet social policy during a specific visit, but this doesn’t equate to viewing the USSR as his favorite country. His career has focused on U.S. democratic reforms, not replicating Soviet governance.”
Appreciate you checking, Keimpe, and fair point that 'favorite country' is my editorial framing, not a direct quote. But read what you just posted back to yourself. Bernie went there, praised their housing, their transportation, their youth programs, their cultural investments. He came back and held press conferences about how great it all was. As someone who was actually born there, I can tell you that 'affordable housing' was a concrete block where multiple families shared a kitchen and a bathroom, the heating barely worked in winter, and the 'beautiful subway stations' were built by political prisoners. The fact that he looked at a guided tour of a collapsing authoritarian state and came away impressed tells you everything you need to know. And by the way, the Soviets loved it when Western visitors came back singing their praises. That was the whole point of the guided tours. It was a propaganda operation, and the visitors who fell for it had a name. So whether or not the USSR was his 'favorite country,' he was certainly its favorite kind of visitor.
Important points and obviously you understand why we need to understand what is happening. Unfortunately, I don’t see any likelyhood that the momentum will be slowed down, let along reversed. Maybe you’ll write about reasonable workarounds, but then it wouldn’t be smart to go public with those, other than the standard efforts to live off the grid and without bank accounts, etc … A’ho! Anyway.
Good old Bernie has always been a commie. I wish people would get into his background as a young man. I simply do not know who finances this idiot! Read people! READ. He likes to appeal to libertarians, as well, of which Catherine Fitts and Thomas Massie are both.
Yes, we are being captured at all sides. Maybe no one needs a car with all the gizmos. I drive an old Honda, and refuse to buy any thing with a fob, or a computer system that is advanced. Europe is already broke and has given up their independence. I pray people here will get up, and refuse to follow.
I truly believe the passport thing is a long way off. You do not have to have a smart ID if you pay $45. at the airport, as of today. Things do not happen overnight, but I think everyone should have a passport for emergency travel. It really IS all about the money, Lau!
We can only hope that the current fiat system collapses before they can fully implement the digital grid. Judging by the recent bond yield spikes that seems like a possibility. Then back to bartering and silver.
I’m trying very hard to get around all this by driving an older car, having hard assets and only keeping a minimal amount in a bank account, living in the country, using cash etc etc. But someone down the road has a Ring camera that records me every time I drive past. The nearest city, where I sometimes need to go, has Flock cameras everywhere. What on earth can we do!!??
Nothing to worry about (that’s a joke). This is the third report I read about this stuff in just two days! And when three different people are talking about it, it’s most likely true. And a legitimate threat.
Yep. Most people still think this stuff is years away, when in reality a lot of the infrastructure is already here.
Precious metals and a 1970s pick up.
Yep - can't argue with that.
Don’t forget to replace your smart phone with a dumb phone too.
Thank you for putting all these various digital surveillance and enslavement pieces together! What and how to resist is another difficult question.
Thanks, John! I’ll get into some of that in future pieces. But step one is always the same - just being aware this stuff exists, and how advanced/ intrusive it already is. Knowing it’s out there, and understanding their end goal. You’d be amazed how many people never even think these things through in their day-to-day lives. Probably 90% or more.
1984 in SPADES!
With better technology and zero accountability
Im wondering how much any of these new vehicles will need to be financed. The threat is real though, I saw it begin in the 90s. Hell Luftansa had real time monitoring of of their engines in flight; heat generation, engine performance, fuel cosumption. Autos moving toward more and more computer engine controls. Back then plugging in the scanner into the data link connector allowed anyone to test/shutdown components in the vehicle, as an example; fuel injectors, fuel pump, ignition kill, interior lights,..... via ECM. Naturally it immediately dawned on me. If we can do this in the shop, well then, so can anyone via wireless technology. Then a bigger realization, the car is no longer yours. It's someone elses. ! And your paying for it. I laughed so hard, I actually told one fellow that the recent hybrid vehicle he bought with a subsidy where he contributed with a trade in on his older vehicle, a fine vehicle at that and I said to him, " the vehicle you just bought is not really yours". I laughed and he at first looked puzzled followed by laughter. I dont think he knew the joke was on him.
You're right, the building blocks have been there for decades. The difference now is that all the separate systems - engine telemetry, cabin sensors, connectivity - are being wired together into one integrated platform. And that platform talks to the cloud. Now add AI into the mix - systems that can analyze behavior, detect patterns, predict actions, and make decisions in real time - and that’s a whole different animal you’re dealing with.
A very interesting read, thank you. I went to fact check about your remark about Bernie Sanders and didn’t like the framing. This is what Grok said (Claude said something simlar)
“No, there’s no credible evidence that Bernie Sanders ever called the USSR his “favorite country.” This claim appears to be a hyperbolic or meme-style jab from political critics, often tied to his 1988 trip there.5
Context on Sanders’ Views and the 1988 Trip
• The trip: As mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Sanders (newly married) joined an official delegation to the Soviet Union in 1988 to establish a “sister city” relationship with Yaroslavl. It was a short (about 10-day) visit during the late Gorbachev era of glasnost (openness) and reform efforts, shortly before the USSR’s collapse in 1991. He described it as a “very strange honeymoon.” The goal was citizen diplomacy and reducing Cold War tensions, aligning with broader U.S. efforts at the time (e.g., Reagan’s own engagement with Gorbachev).11
• What he said: In press conferences and footage upon return, Sanders praised specific aspects of Soviet life he observed, such as:
◦ Affordable housing and public transportation.
◦ Investment in culture (e.g., cheap theater tickets, beautiful subway stations).
◦ Youth programs, sports, and childcare.
◦ The Soviets’ willingness to acknowledge problems (self-criticism) and their admiration for American technology/openness.0
• He contrasted these with U.S. issues like high healthcare/housing costs and pushed for learning from both systems while criticizing aspects like the Soviet housing crisis. He did not endorse the political system, communism, or authoritarianism.1
• His broader record: Sanders has long identified as a democratic socialist (in the vein of Nordic models like Sweden or Denmark, not Soviet-style communism). He has criticized the Soviet Union as authoritarian, opposed its human rights record, and supported U.S. sanctions on Russia in later years. Critics (especially conservatives) highlight the trip and selective quotes as evidence of naivety or sympathy for communism; defenders note it was a peace/diplomacy effort common at the time and that he acknowledged flaws.13
Sanders was overly positive or selective in some 1988 remarks (e.g., downplaying visible deprivation during a guided tour), but this falls short of declaring the USSR his favorite country. No quotes or records support that specific claim—it’s an embellishment of his documented praise for certain public services amid Cold War-era diplomacy.2
In short, he showed interest in (and some admiration for) elements of Soviet social policy during a specific visit, but this doesn’t equate to viewing the USSR as his favorite country. His career has focused on U.S. democratic reforms, not replicating Soviet governance.”
Appreciate you checking, Keimpe, and fair point that 'favorite country' is my editorial framing, not a direct quote. But read what you just posted back to yourself. Bernie went there, praised their housing, their transportation, their youth programs, their cultural investments. He came back and held press conferences about how great it all was. As someone who was actually born there, I can tell you that 'affordable housing' was a concrete block where multiple families shared a kitchen and a bathroom, the heating barely worked in winter, and the 'beautiful subway stations' were built by political prisoners. The fact that he looked at a guided tour of a collapsing authoritarian state and came away impressed tells you everything you need to know. And by the way, the Soviets loved it when Western visitors came back singing their praises. That was the whole point of the guided tours. It was a propaganda operation, and the visitors who fell for it had a name. So whether or not the USSR was his 'favorite country,' he was certainly its favorite kind of visitor.
Important points and obviously you understand why we need to understand what is happening. Unfortunately, I don’t see any likelyhood that the momentum will be slowed down, let along reversed. Maybe you’ll write about reasonable workarounds, but then it wouldn’t be smart to go public with those, other than the standard efforts to live off the grid and without bank accounts, etc … A’ho! Anyway.
Good old Bernie has always been a commie. I wish people would get into his background as a young man. I simply do not know who finances this idiot! Read people! READ. He likes to appeal to libertarians, as well, of which Catherine Fitts and Thomas Massie are both.
Yes, we are being captured at all sides. Maybe no one needs a car with all the gizmos. I drive an old Honda, and refuse to buy any thing with a fob, or a computer system that is advanced. Europe is already broke and has given up their independence. I pray people here will get up, and refuse to follow.
I truly believe the passport thing is a long way off. You do not have to have a smart ID if you pay $45. at the airport, as of today. Things do not happen overnight, but I think everyone should have a passport for emergency travel. It really IS all about the money, Lau!
We can only hope that the current fiat system collapses before they can fully implement the digital grid. Judging by the recent bond yield spikes that seems like a possibility. Then back to bartering and silver.