Watchman Privacy Podcast – Episode 215: Parallel Mike: System Reboot
Overview
In this far-reaching conversation, host Gabriel Custodiet welcomes Parallel Mike (of Parallel Systems on Substack) to dissect the fragility of modern geopolitics, imminent systemic resets, and technocratic encroachment. Mike, known for his expertise in off-grid living, monetary policy, and self-sufficiency, provides a sobering assessment of Europe’s instability, the expanding “Iran war,” global food and resource crises, and practical strategies for personal freedom and resilience. The tone is direct, world-weary, but solution-oriented, with the last section offering personal mindset and health hacks for surviving turbulent times.
Key Themes & Discussion Points
1. State of Europe and Global Technocracy
[02:38]
- Parallel Mike’s Assessment:
"Europe is a sinking ship, to be honest, Gabriel. And it's a Titanic..."
Mike details purposeful undermining of Europe— once the birthplace of democracy and liberty —by vested (unnamed) interests. Britain’s social policies and digital ID push are highlighted as prime symptoms. - Technocracy Worldwide:
Digital IDs, controls, and “energy lockdowns” are arising not just in Europe but in Russia, France, India, Indonesia, and more. No region is immune: “There is no escape from what's coming.... technocracy is being implemented in pretty much every country on earth.” ([03:44]) - On Moving:
Mike is skeptical about escaping to South America or Africa— “It’s not even self-evident where you would go.”
The only viable strategy: “find a place to set our lives up where we feel we can exercise our freedoms the most while we can have relative safety in the chaos.” ([06:16])
2. The Iran Conflict—History and Resources
[08:04]
- Deep Context:
Mike meticulously tracks Iran's long exploitation by Western powers, referencing the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, regime changes, and resource extraction deals dating back to 1901:
"If you know the full history of Iran... then you've got every reason to be skeptical of the narratives that were being given." ([08:11]) - Underlying Motive:
The current war is not primarily about nuclear weapons or ideological issues but is “about resources again. So the petrodollar agreement... has come to an end.” ([11:05]) - Resource Wars:
Western powers now seek to directly control oil production in Iran and Venezuela, as the global trade paradigm shifts away from the petrodollar system. - Immediate Consequences:
Disruption to worldwide LNG and fertilizer supply chains—“That's 20% of the world's LNG”—means high energy prices and looming food crises.
"Around 50% of the world's food supply is dependent on the fertilizer ingredients that come down the Strait of Hormuz, and it's not transiting..." ([16:38]) - Broader Framing:
"I do believe it's World War 3 and a lot of what's taking place is going to impact us all at some point..." but he notes differences from prior wars: less about bombs, more about economic disruption and engineered crises to justify resets. ([18:04])
3. Global Food Crisis—Why and How Bad?
[19:25]
- Vulnerability Due to Fertilizer:
"It could get very bad. Fertilizer is unfortunately the key input for most of farming because the soils are so depleted these days..."
Mike lists major fertilizer disruptions—in the Middle East, Australia, Russia—and suggests these are not coincidences. - Localized Famine vs. Wealthy Rationing:
True famine may hit Africa and parts of the global South hardest, but in the West, food rationing and digital serfdom are likely outcomes:
“A new type of serfdom where it's all done through apps and QR codes and digital IDs.” ([22:48]) - Action Steps:
- Get close to local family farms that don’t rely on synthetic fertilizer.
- Personal food production (gardening, fruit trees, etc.): “I decided to become a farmer... Being in an area where there are farmers, people who produce, because no matter what happens, they have to sell their product.”
- Take personal responsibility for food, water, energy, and finances.
4. Gold, Silver, and the Mechanics of Wealth Protection
[26:10 & 26:59]
- Gold's Recent Price Surge:
"What happened last year with gold was essentially there was a silent move towards safe havens..."
Loss of confidence in sovereign debt, especially since Trump’s return to power and the clear breakdown of globalization, led to massive flows into gold. - Current Correction:
Ongoing corrections in gold, silver, and crypto during financial crises reflect a scramble for liquidity: “In the first stages of a crisis, everybody rushes into liquidity. In the second stage, people rush out of the system and the physical market gets overwhelmed and the supply disappears...” ([33:37]) - Physical Gold vs. Bitcoin:
- Gold held for 5,000 years of crises, and remains valuable even in grid-down scenarios.
- Offshore vaulting (e.g., Cayman Islands) provides an additional layer of privacy and security.
- Portability tips: “You can travel, for example, on a plane with a million dollars worth of gold. If you're wearing it as jewelry...” ([36:34])
- Critical to maintain liquidity in multiple forms, including cash for short-term crises.
5. Banking Strategies
[39:51 & 40:55]
- Trusting Banks:
“All banks should be considered a hazard to your wealth because they can freeze you out, block you out at any point.”
Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs)—the 'too big to fail' banks (e.g., JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank)—are marginally safer, but still risky. - Local vs. Big Banks:
Local/family-owned banks may be safer structurally, but are more vulnerable to being shut down or acquired during consolidations in a banking crisis. - Diversification:
Spread holdings among types of banks and keep cash on hand; “when you put [money] into those banks... the currency is no longer yours.”
6. Overcoming Dopamine Addiction and Building Resilience
[45:19 & 46:13]
- Deferring Gratification:
“Success really can be defined as deferring gratification.” Gabriel notes, and Mike agrees: self-mastery is essential for resilience. - Mike’s Practical Approach:
- Focus on meaningful, replicable activities: running, time in nature, family, and personal health.
- Limit exposure to social media and toxic content: “Don't take your phone with you... I don't take phones with me, I don't take cameras with me because I don't want to disconnect from the activity.” ([48:32])
- Fasting as a discipline and as travel resilience: “Fasting's a superpower. Once you get really good at fasting, you can travel anywhere in the world and you don't have to stop for hunger and eat some crappy food...”
- Psychological Independence:
Dependency on digital platforms, mass entertainment, and processed foods makes individuals easier to control—removing these dependencies preempts various technocratic controls.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Europe is a sinking ship... It's a Titanic, it's a behemoth.”
— Parallel Mike ([02:38]) - “There is no escape from what's coming. ... Technocracy is being implemented in pretty much every country on earth.”
— Parallel Mike ([03:44]) - "This whole thing about the nuclear weapons and Iran being a threat... that's propaganda... What is actually happening... is about resources."
— Parallel Mike ([11:05]) - "50% of the world's food supply depends on the Strait of Hormuz and the urea and different ingredients get transited down there."
— Parallel Mike ([19:38]) - “You could have a billion dollars, but if you can't access it, you're as good as the man who's got $0.”
— Parallel Mike ([38:34]) - "All banks should be considered a hazard to your wealth because they can freeze you out, block you out at any point."
— Parallel Mike ([41:11]) - “Success really can be defined as deferring gratification.”
— Gabriel Custodiet ([45:19]) - "That dependency that we have on them will certainly be leveraged to usher you into a system of technocratic control... you gotta take back some responsibility for your own essentials of life."
— Parallel Mike ([25:20])
Key Timestamps
- 02:38 – State of Europe / Technocracy spread
- 08:11 – Historical manipulation and wars in Iran
- 11:05 – Petrodollar collapse, resource wars
- 19:25 – Food crisis: fertilizer dependency & supply chain attacks
- 26:59 – Why gold surged, how the financial system is unraveling
- 34:32 – Contrarian investing: practicalities
- 36:34 – Transporting and securing gold internationally
- 39:51 – Cash vs. banks, banking strategy, systemic risk
- 45:19 – Deferring gratification, overcoming dopamine addiction
- 46:13 – Personal routines and actionable mental strategies for resilience
Final Thoughts
Mike concludes:
“Having some [wealth] outside the system is smart... But more than that, it's about building systems of independence—food, water, energy, health—that can withstand almost anything.” ([52:35])
Gabriel wraps by highlighting Mike’s ongoing work on Substack, recommending listeners follow the practical advice: local resilience, diversified assets, and personal self-mastery as shields against an accelerating techno-tyranny.