By Matt Underwood What Happens if You Refuse to Recognize That We Are in a Death Spiral? You end up in a place of denial, much like an addict who can’t see the wreckage they’re causing. You might notice things aren’t “feeling good” anymore, a general sense of unease that permeates daily life. This is often the first sign, a creeping dread that something is fundamentally wrong. But rather than acknowledging the problem, the response can be to lash out, to blame everyone else, to become defensive and aggressive.
Refusing to see the decline means you’re missing the big picture, the context, the patterns that have been repeating themselves. The rise of “American nationalism,” the dumbing down of educational standards, and the erosion of critical thinking are all contributing factors. If you’re refusing to recognize the problem, you’re essentially claiming that things are “normal,” and anything that says different is the problem. You might find yourself arguing with people who are trying to help, or worse, silencing them entirely.
Eventually, the crash comes. It might be economic, social, cultural, or all of the above. The denial phase continues even as the world around you crumbles. Maybe the global economy tanks and your life savings evaporate. Maybe the institutions you once trusted – the press, the government, the courts – are exposed as corrupt and untrustworthy. It’s a period of severe disorientation, where the familiar structures of reality fall away. But even then, there will be the refusal to acknowledge the truth.
The consequences of this denial can be severe. You will be caught by surprise when all of your long-held beliefs are shown to be false. You might cling to outdated ideologies, or political figures, even as they actively contribute to the downfall of everything around you. You’ll become increasingly isolated, as those who see the reality of the situation distance themselves. The refusal to acknowledge the problem may become a cycle of delusion. It can lead to a state of hopelessness, where you’re convinced that there is no alternative, no way out.
The longer you stay in denial, the more difficult it becomes to change course. You might see the symptoms but ignore the diagnosis. This leads to a profound sense of powerlessness, and a lack of preparation for the realities that are coming. Acknowledging reality, even if that reality is unpleasant, allows you to plan accordingly, and take action. You can’t stop a train wreck if you are refusing to see the train coming.
You might become angry with those who try to warn you, dismissing them as “doomsayers” or “alarmists.” The irony is, however, that the doomsaying has become reality. Your friends and family may drift away. At first you may not notice. Then you may not care. But eventually, you might find yourself alone with the enablers, the drinking buddies, the people who are in as deep as you are.
It’s about more than just economics or politics. It’s about the very fabric of society. If you refuse to see that America is in decline, you are essentially burying your head in the sand. This refusal impacts your actions and your mindset.
Ultimately, refusing to acknowledge the death spiral will affect your quality of life, if not destroy your life. You’ll likely feel a sense of despair and powerlessness as the world around you decays. You’ll miss your chance to prepare, adapt, and seek out new opportunities. And you’ll spend your time wondering what went wrong, rather than working to find solutions.