This Week in the New Normal #96
Our successor to This Week in the Guardian, This Week in the New Normal is our weekly chart of the progress of autocracy, authoritarianism and economic restructuring around the world.
1. Drinking Milk is Unsettling
Writing in the Guardian – because where else would have her – Arwa Mahdawi asks…
To which I can only respond, “is it?”
This isn’t a new meme. The idea that drinking milk is “weird” or “childish” or “unnatural” or…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/21/this-week-in-the-new-normal-96/
Our successor to This Week in the Guardian, This Week in the New Normal is our weekly chart of the progress of autocracy, authoritarianism and economic restructuring around the world.
1. Drinking Milk is Unsettling
Writing in the Guardian – because where else would have her – Arwa Mahdawi asks…
Why is it so unsettling to watch an adult drink cold cow’s milk?
To which I can only respond, “is it?”
This isn’t a new meme. The idea that drinking milk is “weird” or “childish” or “unnatural” or…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/21/this-week-in-the-new-normal-96/
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WATCH: Was Bitcoin A Government Operation & Can It Still Be Used To Fight Back?
Long has the origin of Bitcoin been a topic of discussion, debate, and even drawing lines in the sand. The reason for this is largely due to the justifiable concern that the enigmatic “Satoshi Nakomoto” — the pseudonym that we associate with the founding of Bitcoin — might be nothing more than a thin veneer hiding a long-planned government operation. That debate alone has caused major shifts in the blockchain/cryptocurrency communities.
Then there is the next important question to ask: Even if this was started as a government operation (similar to many tools we use to fight back today,…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/21/watch-was-bitcoin-a-government-operation-can-it-still-be-used-to-fight-back/
Long has the origin of Bitcoin been a topic of discussion, debate, and even drawing lines in the sand. The reason for this is largely due to the justifiable concern that the enigmatic “Satoshi Nakomoto” — the pseudonym that we associate with the founding of Bitcoin — might be nothing more than a thin veneer hiding a long-planned government operation. That debate alone has caused major shifts in the blockchain/cryptocurrency communities.
Then there is the next important question to ask: Even if this was started as a government operation (similar to many tools we use to fight back today,…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/21/watch-was-bitcoin-a-government-operation-can-it-still-be-used-to-fight-back/
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Starmer wants to “Overhaul Terror Law”- Here’s WHY
With every major news story there is an “aha!” moment, the second where the pieces click into place and you realise “Oh, that’s what it’s really about!” Sometimes it’s instant, sometimes it takes a little while.
With the Southport stabbing story it was today, when the media announced that the government will be “overhauling terror laws” in response to the incident.
Writing in The Sun (or, more accurately, having his name attached to something in The Sun), Keir Starmer claims “we are facing a grave new threat”, requiring an “expanded definition”…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/22/starmer-wants-to-overhaul-terror-law-heres-why/
With every major news story there is an “aha!” moment, the second where the pieces click into place and you realise “Oh, that’s what it’s really about!” Sometimes it’s instant, sometimes it takes a little while.
With the Southport stabbing story it was today, when the media announced that the government will be “overhauling terror laws” in response to the incident.
Writing in The Sun (or, more accurately, having his name attached to something in The Sun), Keir Starmer claims “we are facing a grave new threat”, requiring an “expanded definition”…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/22/starmer-wants-to-overhaul-terror-law-heres-why/
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UK Circling the Drain – Crisis what Crisis?
It is now almost five years since the start of the COVID event. The public was told there was a deadly disease that would affect the entire population, and everyone was at risk.
However, in order to truly understand COVID, that event must be situated within a framework that examines the underlying economic determinants. In fact, many on the “left” are notable for having failed to undertake such an analysis and merely capitulated to the mainstream narrative.
The COVID event had little if anything to do with public health. It was a policy mechanism deployed to manage an impending…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/23/uk-circling-the-drain-crisis-what-crisis/
It is now almost five years since the start of the COVID event. The public was told there was a deadly disease that would affect the entire population, and everyone was at risk.
However, in order to truly understand COVID, that event must be situated within a framework that examines the underlying economic determinants. In fact, many on the “left” are notable for having failed to undertake such an analysis and merely capitulated to the mainstream narrative.
The COVID event had little if anything to do with public health. It was a policy mechanism deployed to manage an impending…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/23/uk-circling-the-drain-crisis-what-crisis/
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UK Gov’t Wants Sweeping Powers to Spy on Your Bank Account
The UK’s Labour government announced plans this week that would further erode civil rights in the country, this time in the name of “preventing benefit fraud”.
The plans include revoking the driver’s licenses of those convicted of benefit fraud, “early morning raids” by “crack teams” from the DWP, and – most shockingly – permitting the government access to private banking information so they can take back money they believe they are owed, without the knowledge or permission of the accused.
In their own classically impartial fashion, the BBC reported this as:
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/24/uk-govt-wants-sweeping-powers-to-spy-on-your-bank-account/
The UK’s Labour government announced plans this week that would further erode civil rights in the country, this time in the name of “preventing benefit fraud”.
The plans include revoking the driver’s licenses of those convicted of benefit fraud, “early morning raids” by “crack teams” from the DWP, and – most shockingly – permitting the government access to private banking information so they can take back money they believe they are owed, without the knowledge or permission of the accused.
In their own classically impartial fashion, the BBC reported this as:
Benefit cheats could…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/24/uk-govt-wants-sweeping-powers-to-spy-on-your-bank-account/
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What Comes Next? IMA Panel Predicts 2025
Host Derrick Broze is joined by panelists Iain Davis, Hrvoje Moric, Steve Poikenen, Patrick Wood, Ryan Cristian, Jason Bermas & Kit Knightly to discuss what they predict will be the big stories of 2025....
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/24/what-comes-next-ima-panel-predicts-2025/
Host Derrick Broze is joined by panelists Iain Davis, Hrvoje Moric, Steve Poikenen, Patrick Wood, Ryan Cristian, Jason Bermas & Kit Knightly to discuss what they predict will be the big stories of 2025....
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/24/what-comes-next-ima-panel-predicts-2025/
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AI Law and Order
Artificial Intelligence, AI, is such the “in” thing now. You just can’t get away from it. AI art, AI music, AI writing. It is everywhere. And let’s not forget about Robots, Terminators, and Sex Dolls who can whisper sweet nothings into your ear. How delightful the world is becoming! And it’s all for fun and entertainment, isn’t it? Yeah, right.
Of course, what we, the peons, are told and exposed to starts out as fun and entertainment. Smartphones to play games on and sort out all sorts of fun things, ChatGPT to write our homework for us, and automatic…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/25/ai-law-and-order/
Artificial Intelligence, AI, is such the “in” thing now. You just can’t get away from it. AI art, AI music, AI writing. It is everywhere. And let’s not forget about Robots, Terminators, and Sex Dolls who can whisper sweet nothings into your ear. How delightful the world is becoming! And it’s all for fun and entertainment, isn’t it? Yeah, right.
Of course, what we, the peons, are told and exposed to starts out as fun and entertainment. Smartphones to play games on and sort out all sorts of fun things, ChatGPT to write our homework for us, and automatic…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/25/ai-law-and-order/
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The Constitution Has Gone AWOL: From Presidential Power Grabs to Martial Law
That didn’t take long. Within days of Donald Trump’s second term, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights disappeared from the White House’s website.
While the Trump Administration insists the removal of these foundational documents will eventually be restored to the site, the timing and symbolism of their removal is hard to ignore. Especially in light of the flurry of executive orders issued by President Trump as a means of…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/26/the-constitution-has-gone-awol-from-presidential-power-grabs-to-martial-law/
“Rule by indefinite emergency edict risks leaving all of us with a shell of a democracy and civil liberties just as hollow.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch
That didn’t take long. Within days of Donald Trump’s second term, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights disappeared from the White House’s website.
While the Trump Administration insists the removal of these foundational documents will eventually be restored to the site, the timing and symbolism of their removal is hard to ignore. Especially in light of the flurry of executive orders issued by President Trump as a means of…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/26/the-constitution-has-gone-awol-from-presidential-power-grabs-to-martial-law/
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WATCH: Building International Bridges – #SolutionsWatch
Today James talks to Miriam Gomez about her experience putting down roots and connecting with like-minded freedom-seekers in a foreign country. For those who have thought about moving away from their home, how can you connect with others and build an agora despite language and cultural barriers, and what’s the best way to integrate yourself into a foreign land? Find out the details in this edition of #SolutionsWatch.
Sources, shownotes and links – as well as audio versions and download options – can be found here. Previous episodes of #SolutionsWatch can be found here and…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/26/watch-building-international-bridges-solutionswatch/
Today James talks to Miriam Gomez about her experience putting down roots and connecting with like-minded freedom-seekers in a foreign country. For those who have thought about moving away from their home, how can you connect with others and build an agora despite language and cultural barriers, and what’s the best way to integrate yourself into a foreign land? Find out the details in this edition of #SolutionsWatch.
Sources, shownotes and links – as well as audio versions and download options – can be found here. Previous episodes of #SolutionsWatch can be found here and…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/26/watch-building-international-bridges-solutionswatch/
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Ungrateful Russians apprehensive about budding biometric paradise
Sberbank CEO and Davos gospel thumper Herman Gref dreams of a happy Russia free from the shackles of cash and debit cards; a safe, convenient Russia where commerce is conducted with radiant smiles.
It’s a fantastic dream—who could imagine such a pleasantly convenient Russia? But (and just hear me out here) … could Gref’s dream one day become reality?
It already is. Slowly. Convenience-proponents might say too slowly. Yes, unfortunately, there are still many convenience-haters in Russia who have demonstrated suboptimal levels of enthusiasm for the biometric paradise that awaits them.
Let’s have…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/28/ungrateful-russians-apprehensive-about-budding-biometric-paradise/
Sberbank CEO and Davos gospel thumper Herman Gref dreams of a happy Russia free from the shackles of cash and debit cards; a safe, convenient Russia where commerce is conducted with radiant smiles.
It’s a fantastic dream—who could imagine such a pleasantly convenient Russia? But (and just hear me out here) … could Gref’s dream one day become reality?
It already is. Slowly. Convenience-proponents might say too slowly. Yes, unfortunately, there are still many convenience-haters in Russia who have demonstrated suboptimal levels of enthusiasm for the biometric paradise that awaits them.
Let’s have…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/28/ungrateful-russians-apprehensive-about-budding-biometric-paradise/
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Heil to the Chief
Guess what time it is, boys and girls.
Did you guess it? I’m pretty sure you did.
That’s right, it’s time for the Big Switcheroo! It’s Morning in America Again time! It’s Hope and Change time! It’s Putting People First time! It’s Make America Great Again time!
Yes, it’s time to change the set of the American simulation of democracy, as they do every eight, or sometimes four, years. The bad guys are out. The good guys are in. Or the other way around. It doesn’t really matter. Juice up your smartphones, switch off your brains, put on your…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/29/heil-to-the-chief/
Guess what time it is, boys and girls.
Did you guess it? I’m pretty sure you did.
That’s right, it’s time for the Big Switcheroo! It’s Morning in America Again time! It’s Hope and Change time! It’s Putting People First time! It’s Make America Great Again time!
Yes, it’s time to change the set of the American simulation of democracy, as they do every eight, or sometimes four, years. The bad guys are out. The good guys are in. Or the other way around. It doesn’t really matter. Juice up your smartphones, switch off your brains, put on your…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/01/29/heil-to-the-chief/
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Living Will Kill You
Will it? I don’t think so. But that seems to be a foundational tenet of the sheep worldview. Interestingly, though, the sheep-set fear most things that are rather innocuous, yet do not fear the things that will more than likely kill them, like chem-trails, fluoride, vaccines, and 5G (few listed here among many).
Why is that?
As you know, I say “why is that?” to an awful lot of things these days. But this one is kind of at the top of the heap. It goes hand in hand with a lot of similar things. Like why does everyone…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/01/living-will-kill-you/
Will it? I don’t think so. But that seems to be a foundational tenet of the sheep worldview. Interestingly, though, the sheep-set fear most things that are rather innocuous, yet do not fear the things that will more than likely kill them, like chem-trails, fluoride, vaccines, and 5G (few listed here among many).
Why is that?
As you know, I say “why is that?” to an awful lot of things these days. But this one is kind of at the top of the heap. It goes hand in hand with a lot of similar things. Like why does everyone…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/01/living-will-kill-you/
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WATCH: The 8th Annual Fake News Awards
Aaaaaaand now, from the subterranean depths of a conspiracy realist’s worst fever dream come to life, it’s the 8th Annual Fake News Awards? What crimes against humanity did the mockingbird repeaters of the dinosaur media manage to whitewash last year? And what disgusting dissembler of deceptive disinformation will walk away with the biggest dishonour of them all, the Fakest Story of the Year? Find out in this year’s Fake News Awards!
A full transcript, as well as links and download options, is available HERE....
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/02/watch-the-8th-annual-fake-news-awards/
Aaaaaaand now, from the subterranean depths of a conspiracy realist’s worst fever dream come to life, it’s the 8th Annual Fake News Awards? What crimes against humanity did the mockingbird repeaters of the dinosaur media manage to whitewash last year? And what disgusting dissembler of deceptive disinformation will walk away with the biggest dishonour of them all, the Fakest Story of the Year? Find out in this year’s Fake News Awards!
A full transcript, as well as links and download options, is available HERE....
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/02/watch-the-8th-annual-fake-news-awards/
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The Rise of the Immortal Dictator: What Will AI Mean for Freedom and Government?
The Deep State is about to go turbocharged.
While the news media fixates on the extent to which Project 2025 may be the Trump Administration’s playbook for locking down the nation, there is a more…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/03/the-rise-of-the-immortal-dictator-what-will-ai-mean-for-freedom-and-government/
“If one company or small group of people manages to develop godlike digital superintelligence, they could take over the world. At least when there’s an evil dictator, that human is going to die. But for an AI, there would be no death. It would live forever. And then you’d have an immortal dictator from which we can never escape.”
Elon Musk (2018)
The Deep State is about to go turbocharged.
While the news media fixates on the extent to which Project 2025 may be the Trump Administration’s playbook for locking down the nation, there is a more…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/03/the-rise-of-the-immortal-dictator-what-will-ai-mean-for-freedom-and-government/
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Hegemony and Propaganda: Love Your Servitude!
Today, we are witnessing a profound transformation. We are increasingly impacted by algorithmic decision-making, artificial intelligence, data proliferation, data harvesting and sophisticated monitoring of how we think and act.
This affects how we work, how we access services and how we relate to and interact with others.
While digital innovations and online platforms offer unparalleled ease, they also raise critical concerns about our independence. The constant connectivity and data-driven decision-making that characterise modern life has major implications. Technological advancements are used to shape preferences and behaviour, and predictably, powerholders use the notion of convenience to manipulate and exert control…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/04/hegemony-and-propaganda-love-your-servitude/
Today, we are witnessing a profound transformation. We are increasingly impacted by algorithmic decision-making, artificial intelligence, data proliferation, data harvesting and sophisticated monitoring of how we think and act.
This affects how we work, how we access services and how we relate to and interact with others.
While digital innovations and online platforms offer unparalleled ease, they also raise critical concerns about our independence. The constant connectivity and data-driven decision-making that characterise modern life has major implications. Technological advancements are used to shape preferences and behaviour, and predictably, powerholders use the notion of convenience to manipulate and exert control…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/04/hegemony-and-propaganda-love-your-servitude/
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The Covid Pandemic was Fake…
The Covid pandemic was fake.
I’m not talking about whether or not the disease existed, that’s moot, because the pandemic was fake.
The photos of dead bodies on the street in Wuhan were fake.
The refrigerated morgue trucks were fake.
The overcrowded hospitals were fake.
The “cases” and “deaths” were fake.
The dancing nurses were fake.
The research papers and peer review was fake.
The fear was fake. They told you that. They said you weren’t in danger and trusted you not to hear them.
The vaccines were fake. Their safety testing was fake.
The new science saying…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/06/the-covid-pandemic-was-fake/
The Covid pandemic was fake.
I’m not talking about whether or not the disease existed, that’s moot, because the pandemic was fake.
The photos of dead bodies on the street in Wuhan were fake.
The refrigerated morgue trucks were fake.
The overcrowded hospitals were fake.
The “cases” and “deaths” were fake.
The dancing nurses were fake.
The research papers and peer review was fake.
The fear was fake. They told you that. They said you weren’t in danger and trusted you not to hear them.
The vaccines were fake. Their safety testing was fake.
The new science saying…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/06/the-covid-pandemic-was-fake/
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Avoiding Trouble
I have to admit, although it seems like I am a real freedom fighter screaming from the mountaintop, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” I am actually quite a wimp. I don’t want trouble, and I am quite frightened of the power of authority to wreak havoc on my pitiful life.
I have never been a true rebel, flailing myself in front of the law with a “go ahead, try me” attitude. In fact, any time I have gotten close to authoritarian punishment I become paralyzed with fear. I have to say I don’t back down, I don’t…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/08/avoiding-trouble/
I have to admit, although it seems like I am a real freedom fighter screaming from the mountaintop, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” I am actually quite a wimp. I don’t want trouble, and I am quite frightened of the power of authority to wreak havoc on my pitiful life.
I have never been a true rebel, flailing myself in front of the law with a “go ahead, try me” attitude. In fact, any time I have gotten close to authoritarian punishment I become paralyzed with fear. I have to say I don’t back down, I don’t…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/08/avoiding-trouble/
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WATCH: How to REALLY Resist Digital ID – #SolutionsWatch
Today James talks to Gabriel of the Libre Solutions Network about how to really resist the encroaching digital ID grid.
As opposed to the posturing and platitudes of the online virtue signalers, James and Gabriel discuss the community-based solutions posited in Gabriel’s article, “‘Internet Badasses’ aren’t going to stop Digital ID,” including:
- Re-integrating yourself into your local community, getting to know your neighbors
- Using cash & local currencies
- Building support groups
- Supporting and expanding independent local businesses
- Understanding that Digital ID is a system not an implementation…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/09/watch-how-to-really-resist-digital-id-solutionswatch/
Today James talks to Gabriel of the Libre Solutions Network about how to really resist the encroaching digital ID grid.
As opposed to the posturing and platitudes of the online virtue signalers, James and Gabriel discuss the community-based solutions posited in Gabriel’s article, “‘Internet Badasses’ aren’t going to stop Digital ID,” including:
- Re-integrating yourself into your local community, getting to know your neighbors
- Using cash & local currencies
- Building support groups
- Supporting and expanding independent local businesses
- Understanding that Digital ID is a system not an implementation…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/09/watch-how-to-really-resist-digital-id-solutionswatch/
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To My Fellow Jews, As They Invert Reality Each Time an Israeli Is Released from Gaza
Dear fellow religiously-observant Jews, I have a request to make of all of you.
Please, please – in the name of minimal decency – spare me another round of weepy propaganda over the release of some Israeli captives formerly held by inmates of the concentration camp you helped to create in Gaza.
I cannot bear your misplaced sentimentality over the freed Israelis – many of whom actually wore their IDF uniforms as they left behind the ruins of what used to be Khan Younis – any more than I can tolerate your hypocrisy about the Israeli genocide you…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/09/to-my-fellow-jews-as-they-invert-reality-each-time-an-israeli-is-released-from-gaza/
Dear fellow religiously-observant Jews, I have a request to make of all of you.
Please, please – in the name of minimal decency – spare me another round of weepy propaganda over the release of some Israeli captives formerly held by inmates of the concentration camp you helped to create in Gaza.
I cannot bear your misplaced sentimentality over the freed Israelis – many of whom actually wore their IDF uniforms as they left behind the ruins of what used to be Khan Younis – any more than I can tolerate your hypocrisy about the Israeli genocide you…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/09/to-my-fellow-jews-as-they-invert-reality-each-time-an-israeli-is-released-from-gaza/
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Sleepwalking into Tyranny: How Power is Silently Being Seized
How something is done is just as important as why something is done.
To suggest that the ends justify the means is to launch oneself down a moral, ethical and legal rabbit hole that leaves us in a totalitarian bind.
We are already halfway down that road.
Whatever the justifications for discarding, even temporarily, the constitutional framework and protocols…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/10/sleepwalking-into-tyranny-how-power-is-silently-being-seized/
“This is what militaries do during coups: you capture the major targets, with government buildings high on the list, and you take over communications and other systems.”
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, historian on fascism and authoritarian leaders
How something is done is just as important as why something is done.
To suggest that the ends justify the means is to launch oneself down a moral, ethical and legal rabbit hole that leaves us in a totalitarian bind.
We are already halfway down that road.
Whatever the justifications for discarding, even temporarily, the constitutional framework and protocols…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/10/sleepwalking-into-tyranny-how-power-is-silently-being-seized/
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Technocracy Ascending – Part 3: Green Sustainable Slavery
As detailed in Part 2 of “Technocracy Ascending,” David Rockefeller, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and the Trilateral Commission achieved a great deal in moving the world toward a new international economic order and global governance (i.e., a new world order).
Brzezinski understood the decline of nation states was a necessity for advancing a global order where the private banking cabal and transnational corporations assumed political dominance. In his book Between Two Ages: America’s Role in the Technetronic Era, Brzezinski stated that:
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/11/technocracy-ascending-part-3-green-sustainable-slavery/
As detailed in Part 2 of “Technocracy Ascending,” David Rockefeller, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and the Trilateral Commission achieved a great deal in moving the world toward a new international economic order and global governance (i.e., a new world order).
Brzezinski understood the decline of nation states was a necessity for advancing a global order where the private banking cabal and transnational corporations assumed political dominance. In his book Between Two Ages: America’s Role in the Technetronic Era, Brzezinski stated that:
The nation state as a fundamental unit of man’s organized life has ceased…...
Read full article ...
https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/11/technocracy-ascending-part-3-green-sustainable-slavery/
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