Building Parallel Societies — How to Dismantle the Oligarchy from the Ground Up
When collapse feels inevitable, resilience, community, and opting out can create a better future
In the darkest times, we must look for the light. If no light exists, then we must become that light. President Trump took the reins of the U.S. government yesterday and has already issued a flurry of Executive Orders (EOs). These range from withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords to rescinding President Biden’s EO on lowering Medicare and Medicaid drug prices. I expect the detention and deportation of immigrants to commence shortly.
In attendance at his inauguration were three of the most powerful billionaires controlling modern communication: Bezos, Musk, and Zuckerberg. Immediately after, Musk performed a Nazi salute — a Nazi salute on stage at a presidential inauguration.
Welcome to 1933 Germany, now with a side of oligarchy.
Oh, and your Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, and every other platform run by these men? Compromised. The point of no return has been reached, and the collapse of the United States has begun.
Instead of panicking, there is one thing every one of us can do: opt out and build our parallel society and systems.
Overthrowing the Oligarchs
I’ve written before about Hypernormalisation — how we all know the systems in place are falling apart, yet everyone continues to act like it’s all normal. This phenomenon occurred in the Soviet Union and ultimately led to Putin.
The reality is that the path we’re on is unsustainable. Collapse will come. We don’t know when or how quickly, but it will come. So, what can we do? We can work toward resilience and flip the script.
I watched an interesting video on Aristotle’s analysis of oligarchs throughout history. He discovered that systems of oligarchy follow predictable cycles of decline, becoming most vulnerable when they appear strongest.
Historical insights and philosophical observations show that unchecked power creates fragility, not strength. This mirrors Nassim Taleb’s concept of antifragility.
Aristotle emphasized the importance of timing. It’s less about strength and more about the gradual reform of systems.
With Trump, we’ll see abrupt changes, but there’s one crucial thing many overlook: disaffected Millennials and Gen Z are already building life rafts and banding together.
A growing number of people are opting out of the current systems. They’re buying property together and starting to farm. They’re rediscovering how to grow and preserve food and rejecting corporate jobs.
Some are forming non-traditional relationships, living in vans, joining communes, or buying apartment buildings together. Many are turning to bartering and trade for goods and services.
These people are not waiting for permission or validation. They’ve become the silent revolution unfolding right in front of us.
The Illusion of Choice
I believe we lost our democracy long ago. Both Republicans and Democrats masquerade as opposing choices, yet both serve to divide us.
I remember the last election between Harris and Trump, and the outrage from Democrats when Harris lost. They claimed voters’ objections to her stance on Palestine cost the election and warned Trump would destroy Palestine.
But here’s the truth: both parties will continue sending arms to Israel. Palestine’s fate as a “parking lot” is sealed regardless of who occupies the White House. For them, it’s all about power and money.
Real, sustainable change doesn’t come from these leaders. It comes from those who bridge social divides and represent the middle class — something neither party does. Real change comes from building networks and forming coalitions that exploit existing systems.
Building Parallel Systems
How do we do this? Start by choosing the hard path. Become self-reliant and inspire like-minded people to do the same. Learn how to grow your food and preserve it. Share knowledge. Trade sourdough starters.
Build your life raft first, then find others to lash those rafts together. Opt out of traditional paper money and Bitcoin. Embrace bartering and trade, and consider tangible assets like gold and silver. Buy land together. Homestead.
Find doctors, lawyers, and engineers to join your group. Strengthen your community with skills and resources that matter.
When the politicians and oligarchs retreat to their bunkers, your parallel systems will not only endure but thrive. And when they try to emerge, maybe — just maybe — we’ll pour concrete over their exits.
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