Wednesday
Being prepared is a great virtue, but underneath it sits the ability to successfully predict, the intelligence to formulate appropriate strategies in accord with those predictions and, most importantly, the courage to implement them. Only then can one truly be prepared. Such are the marks of success in all human endeavours. But, how can one ‘be prepared’ in this wild environment when so many potential disasters are in play?
That we are in a lull before the storm is, in my mind, without question; what will comprise the storm is open to a very wide-ranging debate. It is impossible to be confident of being ahead of the game when one cannot be sure what game it is that is about to break out. A Punctuation of the Equilibrium is upon us. Stefan Zweig painted a powerful picture in ‘The World of Yesterday‘ with his depiction of the peak of civilization in the latter part of the 19th century/early 20th century. The European intellectuals truly believed that the triumph of reason had surmounted the horrors of war. Zweig described the speedy and sad descent from that lofty peak to the hell of WW1.
Just over one hundred years later, in the still glittering last vestiges of Western Civilization, we live in a world of comfort and ease where, if so inclined, it is possible to live quite well without lifting a finger. Yet, we are closer than most realise to the complete disintegration of all that we have known and assumed.
Dr. Weiner at Monetary Metals writes a lot about marginal businesses and employees. It seems to me that most of our economy is now marginal. The cities and businesses still look much the same, but falling interest rates and regulations have, like white ants, eaten away at their foundations.
We need Gold Bonds – and fast.
Be prepared – for anything.