Strategies for the Younger Dissident

Had another reader question come in the other day. This particular one came in from a younger dissident.

I always enjoy when these types of questions come in, because they force me to break out of my generational molding a bit. Which is always a good thing for us to practice, so we do not become tunnel-visioned about “our times” like many boomers.

The reader asked whether “younger dissidents (younger than 25) should focus on pursuing, as has often been recommended for older dissidents, long-term wealth strategies such as a career, a house, etc., or if it is more worth it to instead prepare for a more immediate collapse that would make these typical measures pointless.”

My initial gut instinct was to focus on the now and just to refer him to my Ways To Contribute series. But as I thought on this one, it quickly became more nuanced. As all good questions do. And I knew it needed to be a fully fleshed article. To help (hopefully) not just him, but others as well.

So, let us begin.

Introduction

There are certain things that have obvious answers with this question, like retirement planning. I just do not see a situation where a 20-year-old today is going to be able to retire at 60—in 40 years—pain-free like boomers today. Even if the worst case situations don’t happen, there’s no way the US dollar is going to look the same then as it does now. And it is even significantly weakening now. It does not have 40 years to wait.

So should a younger dissident focus on getting the best retirement they can find? Absolutely not.

But other topics are a bit more tricky. And they require a bit of a nuanced take.

I do not generally make a habit out of using clichés. But in this case, it is true:

• A younger dissident should prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

This would mean, in general, preparing for the more immediate problem, rather than focusing on the pipe dream hope everything remains the same.

Given the economic situation, the demographic situation, the political and moral situation, and so on coupled with modern technology, I think the world looks more uncertain than it ever has.

In such times, traditional long-term goals—such as pursuing higher education, climbing the corporate ladder, and saving for retirement—are less relevant compared to immediate, practical needs.

Instead, focusing on the foundational aspects of life and developing skills suited to a declining civilization should be the primary focus.

Given the above, then for the big-ticket “long-term” life decisions, I’d start with the following:

• Career: Do not spend so much time and effort climbing a corporate ladder. Don’t center your life around employment or a job. Go learn a job or trade that suits you, but would still be useful if a collapse doesn’t immediately happen. Focus on other things more heavily than money right now.
• College: Universally college is probably a waste of time unless you need it for a specific job (so get in and get out).
• Retirement: Retirement will probably be worthless. I wouldn’t focus too much on it.
• House: A house is a toss-up. If you can get land in a safe area with community ties that won’t put you in ridiculous levels of debt, it can be a net positive. But buying a house in the suburbs of a major city on .2 acres? Wouldn’t be my first priority.
• Location: Moving states to a more resilient/like-minded area can be useful, but it depends heavily on circumstances and family/network where you are. Don’t give up the current good in pursuit of just (maybe) slightly better in 5-10 years. Further develop what you have if you are in a good spot, but consider escaping if there is little good near you now.
• Marriage/Kids: See below.

Just my thoughts. Take them or leave them.

I think with the newer generations that the entire concept of a “traditional life” is changing. The previous methods and possibilities are no longer the same. The American Dream does not exist anymore, so the youth are re-writing what that dream looks like. It’s hard for us non-20s to conceptualize this, but it is happening.

Which means that those that can think outside of that traditional box will be able to maneuver and have more stability long-term.

Look at the van lifers, the off-grid types, and the tiny home people. Many people are throwing the idea of a “house in the suburbs” idea on their head, but still having a great living arrangement. The opportunities for the youth in this new digital age are seemingly endless (until collapse, of course), so use them while you can.

Don’t figure out how to take advantage within the system; break the system completely. That’s always a good skill for youth to utilize.

Oh, and while you are deciding, be a good steward of the resources you do have. Don’t over-focus too much on getting more resources. Just reorganize how you use what you already have. Likewise, be prepared for if those resources diminish.

But at the same time, we don’t know the timeline for the collapse. I would hate to see a young person dump everything into a gamble that they only have a few years, and then we are generally stable for 10.

That is where the “hope for the best” part of the cliché comes in.

But what does that look like?

It means just don’t throw away everything in the pursuit of trying to survive a collapse.

A lot of the more traditional things that we tell young people to do for the long-term are also equally good for the short term.

I know some young guns struggle to see that, however. Which is where the nuance comes in.

To explain this, I think it would be better to just be more practical and upfront. I am going to give five strategies for the younger distant, that both prepare for the worst, but also include hope for the best. So no matter what occurs, you’re covered.

The Five Strategies

1. Continually Seek God

Matthew 6:33 instructs us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

This verse is not a formula for achieving material wealth or success, but rather a call to prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else.

In summary: Above everything else you do should be God. This is true regardless of the cost.

This is one thing that young people rarely do. It is also one thing that old people wish they would have done when they were young.

I am one such person. I was against God for a long time. Regretably, I tried to find my own way for a long time. It did not work out great.

I have learned the lesson of that verse firsthand. The more I sought after stability and material wealth through secular means, the less of it I had and the less happy I was.

Once I found God, I stopped seeking after those things. But now I have more stability and financial wealth than I did before. It truly is amazing how it works, but you don’t see it until you let God do it. You have to put in the faith and let him work.

At the end of the day, there’s no amount of prepping that will save you if God wants you to be called home. And there is no security in anyone/anything else besides God, whether short term or long term. This world is fickle, and it could be swooped out from under you like a rug at any point. The only constant source of security is God.

So the first strategy for the young is to never forget that all of our life work cannot do the least of what God can do in his spare time.

But even further, when you seek after God‘s kingdom, there are practical benefits. God‘s goals for you usually involve things we need right now. I’m talking about family, a community of people with like-minded values, virtuous characteristics, emotional resiliency, mental fortitude, and similar things.

The younger dissident will find that by following God everything else will be added to them. Trust the process.

ACTION STEPS:

• Read the Bible. All of it.
• Find a good church (preaching truth—including hard truth—with a decent sized congregation, children present, opportunities to connect with others, and a loving attitude.)
• Pray. Daily. Make your requests known. Make your fears known.
• Put down the political books for a bit. Instead, read some historical texts by our Christian ancestors.
• Sacrifice and serve for others. God does not approve of the older generation “I got mine” attitude or the middle generation “I will survive but everyone else is screwed” mindset. YOU are called to be a light on this earth. Do it.

2. Find a Wife (and Have Kid(s))

Unless you are a Paul without sexual temptation (0.001% of the population, maybe), you should desire a wife. Go get one.

They both level up the man and level him out.

This is usually considered a long-term strategy. But it should not be. There is a woman out there that needs you right now and you need her. Stop wasting time and go find her.

Regardless of what happens in this world, you should lead a family. God wants this for you, and our civilization needs it from you. And even for yourself, it’s also a great thing. Triple benefit.

It’s a no brainer.

If possible, have kids. Do not be a genetic failure. There are far too many genetic failures even now when things are not bad.

Even if you cannot provide the same standard of living that the older generations did, if you trust God, you will be able to provide. At the end of the day, that is what matters.

In a practical sense, if you build your relationship wisely, then your wife is your ultimate support in times of trouble… and in times of peace.

Likewise, your kid(s) are a driving force to keep going and improving and surviving. They provide purpose in times of great evil when there is none.

Civilizational, this is arguably the most essential piece. Europeans will not survive if we don’t do this. We are literally fighting for Western Civilization’s life, and that life requires…Well, life.

As those in the remnant, our children are also the ones most often carrying the torch of our tradition to the next generation.

If everything else burns, but one single of our children remain, we are still viable. God can then still bring back our civilization and our people from the dust. That one person could be your kid, so why are you waiting?

ACTION STEPS:

• Become a good man worthy of a good woman.
• Find a good woman.
• Marry
• Have babies (after enjoying your marriage for a bit)

3. Build Character (Especially Fortitude)

No matter how bad the world gets, God judges you based on the best possible version of yourself. He does not judge you based on the surrounding world or others.

Neglecting virtue only hurts yourself in the long term.

Character is essential no matter what you do in life. It also matters no matter what happens in life.

I’m not talking about some dopey “be nicer” character improvement. I am talking about things that matter given the world to come.

We all need fortitude, resiliency, strength, determination, and a focused mind. But these are not in us since birth.

They are trained traits they can be improved, and they can be made worse. You improve them by using them often.

It is an experience thing. That is one thing that young people often lack: Experience. So spending time specifically seeking it is a good idea.

Practically, this also satisfies James 2 of the Bible. You need good works to be justified in the eyes of man. We all know people who have a good character and we would trust if things go bad. Likewise, we all know a person or two who has shady character, that we would not want anywhere near us if things go bad. You want to become the former.

This will help you with the community aspect if things go bad quickly. But it will also help you if the world maintains for 10 or 20 years, because you will become a reliable, trustworthy character that other people rely on.

ACTION STEPS:

• Volunteer with something that can build your character. For example, I served as a chaplain for a bit and that helped me tremendously. But I know others that have done things like serving in nonprofits, doing community projects for the poor, and soup kitchen/Salvation Army type work. Do what sounds reasonable to you.
• Start eating better. Fast often to challenge your fortitude. Train yourself to resist temptation.
• Work out. Your body is a temple. Get and stay dedicated to a routine.
• Practice rightwing therapy.
• Build your character by getting involved in community (see #5).
• Do the hard work and make the hard choices when option arises.

4. Develop Practical Skills

On top of character skills, it is useful for a younger dissident to build some practical skills that us older folk often overlook.

I know so many younger guys that don’t know how to drive stick shift for instance. I’m not talking trash, it’s just not a super useful skill anymore that is taught. Most vehicles are automatic now and not many old folk teach it to the young. They barely were teaching it during my time, even.

But knowledge of stick shift is still a good skill to have. Essential for certain driving, construction, and similar careers. But also just to be able to drive any car you find no matter the transmission, in the case of an emergency.

That is just one skill. There are plenty of others in this category. Things like knowing emergency preparedness is useful no matter what happens. Sometime in your life, there will be an emergency. Knowing what to do from both a medical and survival standpoint is crucial.

Economic adaptability skills are also good to have. If you lose your job or source of income, do you have other skills that can get you the resources that you need? If not, develop them.

I know a guy that gets laid off often in his normal job in construction, so he has a teaching degree on the side. It gives him a lot of flexibility. When he doesn’t have his regular employment, he can teach, he can tutor, and he can even work in places like daycares and such. This kind of adaptability is great to have. It also is good just to let you explore career options.

Further, self-sufficiency skills are things I would be focusing on if I were younger. Your basics like gardening, hunting, do-it-yourself building, repair and fixing skills, and similar things. Whatever skills you would need to live if you did not have anybody to help. The goal is to not be in that situation, but we must prepare for the worst if you are in that situation.

Also, in this category, I would focus on practical financial strategies rather than speculative investments. If you have spare money (not many young do, so don’t feel bad if you don’t), put it toward practical things. I have an article on this here: Global Supply Chain Collapse: The Solution (Tangible Consumption Assets).

Obviously, stay out of debt wherever feasible. Debt is the banker’s tool to control you.

ACTION STEPS:

• Take courses/workshops.
• Build medical/emergency/knowledge kits.
• Make a list of 10 skills you need that you do not yet have. Start checking them off one-by-one.
• Practice skills that require muscle memory (like emergency response).
• Start a side business/hobby.
• Acquire TCAs over speculative investments. (You can always sell them later if things remain calm for a bit).
• AVOID DEBT.
• Read my Ways To Contribute series. Decide which person you want to be and start working toward it.

5. Find Community

Engaging with your community helps create a network of mutual aid and collaboration, which can be particularly valuable in times of crisis. The prepper dudes alone in the woods are going to get steamrolled by young guns with friends like yourself, no matter how much they like to fantasize otherwise.

Your community at this age should start to become varied. You are not in high school anymore. It is time to start getting a community of all ages.

Go hang out with your friends and find new friends. But get involved with your city or county things that have older folk. Get involved in your church that should have various ages if it is a healthy church. Meet some middle-aged people at local community events. Become as varied as you possibly can. Each person in different life stages can be of tremendous support to you in different ways. Do not silo yourself with only one age group.

I have written on this one extensively elsewhere, so I will just link some examples:

• Ways To Contribute: The Community Chieftain
• On Community: Creating An Enclave
• Ways To Contribute: Local Food Sources

Follow those and you’ll be off to a good start.

ACTION STEPS:

• Volunteer at various places.
• Seek community-facing employment/engagement opportunities if possible.
• Join boards/committees/co-ops (they always want young people)
• Attend local events, especially with other young people
• Build relationships with TRUSTWORTHY people as you find them. Do not waste time elsewhere.

Outro

It is clearly my personal opinion to focus on the short-term right now over the long-term for the young gun. It is sad for me to admit, but I do not see the young having the option for retirement or a stable enough future to seek traditional life goals.

I also do not see money, personal prestige, job titles, or college degrees mattering a hell of a lot in ten years.

However, I could be wrong. So please pray on this and do as you are lead, not as I say.

Nonetheless, I did not make this list in complete isolation. I did it with a dual-mind in focus. These five strategies should help you no matter what happens in the coming days. If the collapse happens, they will be essential benefits to you. If you have more time than I think, they will only still benefit you, but long-term. Then, when that collapse time does eventually come, they will still be beneficial to you.

And as a sidenote: Even if I am wrong, God is right. If you do #1, then no matter what you do for #2-#99, He will make it work out. That is why #1 is #1 and why it is so important.

My final piece of advice to all the younger blood: Learn from us what you can, but make sure you learn from your own generation as well. We do not know you as intimately as you know yourself. Each generation has their own battle scars that other generations cannot comprehend. Every generation thinks that their elders were in error, and the young are stupid. It is just what generations do, because people struggle to see that each generation has their own thing, no cap.

Learn from us, but learn from your own, as well.

And just know that even if we tease one another, we do truly look out for you and are rooting for you to one day even surpass us in both success and victory.

I know I pray for that for all the younger generations. As every elder generation should.

Good luck out there, whatever you decide to do.