If it wasn't 2026, we'd chalk this one up to satire. But a consumer shopping guide for gas masks is as good an indicator as any of the bizarre world in which we're living.
Interesting data point on the road to collapse. It made me ponder multiple angles as to why the Verge would publish such an article, and being the rock hard skeptic that I have become, I have a few theories.
1) "gas mask gaslighting": the number one thing a government needs to do inorder to conduct a war on another nation is to foment acceptance within it's own boarders for that action. The tension between the US and Iran is starting to escalate. Whether those indicators are authentic or a clever manipulation for a desired outcome down the road, is an aside. The fact remains that signs of tension are being published across media platforms. A well placed icon of war on that media would be a subconscious suggestion of a hot war. Be it irrational or not, it tips perception within the public psyche that the danger is real and perhaps eminent.
2) gas mask as misdirection and gas mask as provocation. Misdirection because gas as crowd control is very 'old school' and could create a false sense of bravado within the public eager to engage in civic violence only to be handled with far more effective (even lethal) techniques at the authorities disposal that a gas mask would be utterly useless as a defense. It could just be a way to weed out the less fervent paid Soros "activists" ("this is getting serious, I could get hurt! Or worse yet, I might be late to my neighbors wine and cheese party!"). But that would be unlikely, in my opinion. We all know the government wants us fighting with each other even if the fighting gets lethal. Social unrest is desired by the higher authorities and probably one of the reasons why it has become normalized.
Living in Ventura county next to the Palisades and Eaton fires, Gas mask as survival downwind of smoke while we prep to evac may be another datapoint too.
Chemtrails alone make me want one. Sorry to hear your proximity to the LA firers, I refined my fire response in real-time as I live in San Diego county and fully anticipate something similar happening here.
I don't find it surprising in the least. We have had teachers taking the children in their classes out to "protest." Give that a few minutes to percolate.
The media has been a large part of normalizing it for the better part of a decade. Look back to the "Fiery but mostly peaceful protests" during the "Summer of Love."
They are promoting civil strife to achieve what they couldn't get through the democratic process.
Interesting data point on the road to collapse. It made me ponder multiple angles as to why the Verge would publish such an article, and being the rock hard skeptic that I have become, I have a few theories.
1) "gas mask gaslighting": the number one thing a government needs to do inorder to conduct a war on another nation is to foment acceptance within it's own boarders for that action. The tension between the US and Iran is starting to escalate. Whether those indicators are authentic or a clever manipulation for a desired outcome down the road, is an aside. The fact remains that signs of tension are being published across media platforms. A well placed icon of war on that media would be a subconscious suggestion of a hot war. Be it irrational or not, it tips perception within the public psyche that the danger is real and perhaps eminent.
2) gas mask as misdirection and gas mask as provocation. Misdirection because gas as crowd control is very 'old school' and could create a false sense of bravado within the public eager to engage in civic violence only to be handled with far more effective (even lethal) techniques at the authorities disposal that a gas mask would be utterly useless as a defense. It could just be a way to weed out the less fervent paid Soros "activists" ("this is getting serious, I could get hurt! Or worse yet, I might be late to my neighbors wine and cheese party!"). But that would be unlikely, in my opinion. We all know the government wants us fighting with each other even if the fighting gets lethal. Social unrest is desired by the higher authorities and probably one of the reasons why it has become normalized.
I have more theories but I will spare you, lol.
Living in Ventura county next to the Palisades and Eaton fires, Gas mask as survival downwind of smoke while we prep to evac may be another datapoint too.
Chemtrails alone make me want one. Sorry to hear your proximity to the LA firers, I refined my fire response in real-time as I live in San Diego county and fully anticipate something similar happening here.
I don't find it surprising in the least. We have had teachers taking the children in their classes out to "protest." Give that a few minutes to percolate.
The media has been a large part of normalizing it for the better part of a decade. Look back to the "Fiery but mostly peaceful protests" during the "Summer of Love."
They are promoting civil strife to achieve what they couldn't get through the democratic process.
Nicely said @David Kirtley. Certainly feels like manufactured crises to prepare the ground for major changes. Your observations definitely resonate.