Insightful as always, Umair. I was raised upper middle class and spent most of my 20's in poverty due to chronic illness. I lost it all before I really had it. That experience radically changed me. The friends I went to college with, the ones who've always had good careers, don't know what I know. They don't see things the way I do. I'm resilient. I know I can probably survive more than I think I can. I agree with you. Most people who have been relatively comfortable in their adult lives aren't prepared for what's coming. They don't have the mental and emotional reserves. Most important, they don't have the community, which is why I'm so grateful for this community.
"Umair, I've read your last few pieces. The one from June 30 unsettled me—not because of your analysis, but because of the silence around hope.
Over the last 6 years of reading your work, I've come to see you as a fermenter of hope. You take the raw materials of this broken world and turn them into something powerful, effervescent—a force that can alter the environment around you. That is who you are as a writer. That is your gift.
I hope and believe that with the help of your community—online and offline—you can find solace to persevere through these troubled times. You've got this. And you're not alone."
I have an unreasonable fantasy that civilization, having descended into this dark, terminal place on the shoulders of excess, will reverse engineer its experiment and through the poverty of opulence, rise from these shadows and into the light that emanates from objects and others in the relative absence of selfishness and ego.
Umair, I stopped my paid subscription because you have nothing new to say. But the idea of losing one’s place in our stupid society is worse than dying of cancer is pathetic.
Your early career was shilling for more humane corporations which would do well because they were good. Maybe there are a few B corps, but no mega corp is good and never has been. You weren’t listen to after a roaring start and I’m not sure how you lost and how much. But it wasn’t all that much, I’ll bet.
I think you’re a good man. But you have a bit of a messianic complex. And you love “I told you so”.
You should relax. Enjoy your music, your dog and your wife. Though I wonder how long she can stand watching you wallowing in self pity. Be nice to her. Quit smoking. It doesn’t make you an intellectual no matter if you hold the cigarette between your middle and ring finger.
This is the human condition. It’s still possible to live and love.
Ps. I’m old enough to be your dad, I’ve lost everything twice. It’s really hard and takes some time to recover.
It’s gonna be rough. But it will be okay. No one gets out of here alive. I watched a video of an Inuit building an igloo today. Humans are amazing and resourceful.
Part of the despair people have is waiting for the shoe to drop. The truth is we don't know what will happen or when. I've not accumulated much wealth and have thought about the rough nature of what the future may hold. I certainly don't think people should delude themselves that everything will be fine but in the end we have death, and that could be a mercy if it comes down to it. BUT i really believe that depair can potentially be subverted and we can only do our best as imperfect beings and life has been easier for me since I've maintained that perspective. I recommend people start imagining a more austere existence and plan to live well below their means if possible. If shit hits the fan,the drop to permanent underclass may not be so catastrophic.
“If shit hits the fan, the drop to permanent underclass may not be so catastrophic.”
I think this is really insightful, and actually probably the very lesson we are all meant to learn. The lightbulb that comes after despair, if you can hang on long enough.
It is true that there will be trauma. But honestly, all that 'stuff' is the disease. Losing it only hurts those who have not really lived. 'Death', especially when life has been built on unrealistic dreams, could also be a moment of transformation. https://towardseudaemonia.substack.com/p/on-goats-and-freedom
I watched a video today about the collapse of the Soviet Union. They are reliving it now because Putin is driving Russia into oblivion rather than end the war with Ukraine. Putin and Trump are similar. As is Netanyahu. We are all on the same path. Our leaders don't want to stop. We aren't protesting. We are resigned to our fate or deny it's happening.
Any suggestions? Some friends many years ago set up a 6- or 8-way tasting where Genfarclas and Macallan stood out, but maybe they were the first two on the program.
Sometimes the hopes of the last age have to die so we can dream for what’s to come. I will keep you in my prayers. I will keep all of us in my prayers.
I lost EVERYTHING in 1989: wife (went off w/ my photog.), R arm (nearly severed about a month later), & then all else (Loma Prieat Earthquake was epicentered about a mile from my 2 acre home, & art studios).
It was as if I were my own twin, & he had died & although I knew everything about what my brother had done & been, I was an unskilled nobody & had to reinvent myself from near zero. The only constant in my life was my little son.
I can absolutely relate to your disillusionment with what the world has become, as well as the chronic illness part. My career never took off so I know what it's like to be considered less than human. I do have some money I don't want to lose. I follow world events closely and your portfolio models from last year made perfect sense to me. Are they still applicable to 2026? After spending 30 years in the stock market, I'm concerned the banking system will collapse and even buying CDs scares me. Am I being realistic?
Insightful as always, Umair. I was raised upper middle class and spent most of my 20's in poverty due to chronic illness. I lost it all before I really had it. That experience radically changed me. The friends I went to college with, the ones who've always had good careers, don't know what I know. They don't see things the way I do. I'm resilient. I know I can probably survive more than I think I can. I agree with you. Most people who have been relatively comfortable in their adult lives aren't prepared for what's coming. They don't have the mental and emotional reserves. Most important, they don't have the community, which is why I'm so grateful for this community.
"Umair, I've read your last few pieces. The one from June 30 unsettled me—not because of your analysis, but because of the silence around hope.
Over the last 6 years of reading your work, I've come to see you as a fermenter of hope. You take the raw materials of this broken world and turn them into something powerful, effervescent—a force that can alter the environment around you. That is who you are as a writer. That is your gift.
I hope and believe that with the help of your community—online and offline—you can find solace to persevere through these troubled times. You've got this. And you're not alone."
I have an unreasonable fantasy that civilization, having descended into this dark, terminal place on the shoulders of excess, will reverse engineer its experiment and through the poverty of opulence, rise from these shadows and into the light that emanates from objects and others in the relative absence of selfishness and ego.
Umair, I stopped my paid subscription because you have nothing new to say. But the idea of losing one’s place in our stupid society is worse than dying of cancer is pathetic.
Your early career was shilling for more humane corporations which would do well because they were good. Maybe there are a few B corps, but no mega corp is good and never has been. You weren’t listen to after a roaring start and I’m not sure how you lost and how much. But it wasn’t all that much, I’ll bet.
I think you’re a good man. But you have a bit of a messianic complex. And you love “I told you so”.
You should relax. Enjoy your music, your dog and your wife. Though I wonder how long she can stand watching you wallowing in self pity. Be nice to her. Quit smoking. It doesn’t make you an intellectual no matter if you hold the cigarette between your middle and ring finger.
This is the human condition. It’s still possible to live and love.
Ps. I’m old enough to be your dad, I’ve lost everything twice. It’s really hard and takes some time to recover.
This all seems correct, an appropriate antidote to irresponsible positivity.
You see what’s coming, but not what’s coming after that. Civilizarion is in full collapse, and after that. The Garden.
It’s gonna be rough. But it will be okay. No one gets out of here alive. I watched a video of an Inuit building an igloo today. Humans are amazing and resourceful.
Part of the despair people have is waiting for the shoe to drop. The truth is we don't know what will happen or when. I've not accumulated much wealth and have thought about the rough nature of what the future may hold. I certainly don't think people should delude themselves that everything will be fine but in the end we have death, and that could be a mercy if it comes down to it. BUT i really believe that depair can potentially be subverted and we can only do our best as imperfect beings and life has been easier for me since I've maintained that perspective. I recommend people start imagining a more austere existence and plan to live well below their means if possible. If shit hits the fan,the drop to permanent underclass may not be so catastrophic.
“If shit hits the fan, the drop to permanent underclass may not be so catastrophic.”
I think this is really insightful, and actually probably the very lesson we are all meant to learn. The lightbulb that comes after despair, if you can hang on long enough.
At least I hope so.
It is true that there will be trauma. But honestly, all that 'stuff' is the disease. Losing it only hurts those who have not really lived. 'Death', especially when life has been built on unrealistic dreams, could also be a moment of transformation. https://towardseudaemonia.substack.com/p/on-goats-and-freedom
"You can spend all your time making money.
You can spend all your love making time.
If it all goes to pieces tomorrow,
Will you still be mine?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SloVvZdNuXA
Thank you so much for your writing. It means a lot to me.
My father lost everything. Then we lost him. For his story. Take a look at my first ever post on substack
https://celestialspheres.substack.com/p/capitalism-killed-my-father?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=10gwf0
I just read your piece. I don't really have any words, but thank you for writing it.
Just something I needed to do
I'm sorry you lost your Dad. 🫂
Thank you so much for the virtual hug. Much appreciated.
Wonderful writing.
Thanks for your support
Oh my! Your essay paced along like a good novel.
Welll before Covid I joined a creative writers group . I started a story about this topic.
I gave each character a financial class and documented through their eyes what the collapse was like for them.
Willie the street man was, as you said too, living through it with less angst because he had little to lose already.
And so on with characters.
Great minds and all y’all.
The insights I got from all the remainder of your essay will be reread to absorb. Saved too.
Cheers to Omair and Snowy
I watched a video today about the collapse of the Soviet Union. They are reliving it now because Putin is driving Russia into oblivion rather than end the war with Ukraine. Putin and Trump are similar. As is Netanyahu. We are all on the same path. Our leaders don't want to stop. We aren't protesting. We are resigned to our fate or deny it's happening.
A bottle of pills and a bottle of scotch are my old folks home
make sure it's a top shelf single malt! :)
Any suggestions? Some friends many years ago set up a 6- or 8-way tasting where Genfarclas and Macallan stood out, but maybe they were the first two on the program.
I've always preferred the Scotland Speyside or Highland scotches (Balvenie), or the Japanese single malts (Taketsuru).
Sometimes the hopes of the last age have to die so we can dream for what’s to come. I will keep you in my prayers. I will keep all of us in my prayers.
I lost EVERYTHING in 1989: wife (went off w/ my photog.), R arm (nearly severed about a month later), & then all else (Loma Prieat Earthquake was epicentered about a mile from my 2 acre home, & art studios).
It was as if I were my own twin, & he had died & although I knew everything about what my brother had done & been, I was an unskilled nobody & had to reinvent myself from near zero. The only constant in my life was my little son.
Your resilience is a testament your character. Incredible!
I can absolutely relate to your disillusionment with what the world has become, as well as the chronic illness part. My career never took off so I know what it's like to be considered less than human. I do have some money I don't want to lose. I follow world events closely and your portfolio models from last year made perfect sense to me. Are they still applicable to 2026? After spending 30 years in the stock market, I'm concerned the banking system will collapse and even buying CDs scares me. Am I being realistic?