Breaking Down: Collapse Daily Episode 123 - An Ever Increasing Pressure
Mar 2, 2026
Discussion of rising home insurance premiums as a sign of growing disaster risk. Exploration of lengthening job searches, shrinking savings, and pressure on everyday budgets. Coverage of Social Security’s approaching funding shortfall and the housing emergency pushing people into RVs. Contrast between corporate windfalls in crises and questions about the ethics of common investing practices.
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Collapse Awareness Reduces Anxiety By Clarifying Causes
- Doom anxiety is widespread because people sense things are wrong but lack understanding.
- Kory says collapse awareness brings clarity that can reduce anxiety even as it reveals looming deterioration.
Insurance Price Hikes Are A Canary For Cascading Risks
- Rising insurance rates signal systemic risk as actuaries price increasing disasters into premiums.
- Kory cites Australian home insurance up 51% in five years and flood quotes up to $70,000 annually as a canary in the coal mine.
FIRE Retiree Saw Costs Spike After Early Retirement
- Kory shares a FIRE subreddit story of a retiree tracking rising living costs after leaving work.
- Over a few years their insurance doubled, property taxes rose 25%, and utilities rose 20% despite frugal adjustments.