Burning Fragility

THE HARD TRUTH: WE ARE ON OUR OWN

INTRO

The fires in Los Angeles have brought devastation in their wake, but the ripple effect goes far beyond the flames. Looting—shocking to some—should not surprise anyone who looks at the broader trends of wealth inequity. Yes, inequity, not inequality. Inequality is unevenness, but inequity is unfairness, rooted in grift and corruption. This inequity is at the root of most of our problems in the U.S. today.

Let’s connect the dots. Wealth inequity fuels demoralization. Demoralization breeds despair, and through this lens, school shootings, suicides, depression, chronic illness, and even looting are not random acts—they’re tragically predictable outcomes. When the playing field is rigged, frustration festers until it boils over. Project the trends, and the chaos we’re seeing is not an aberration; it’s a natural reaction.

Looting: A Sign of the Times

The looting in LA is not just about opportunism—it’s a manifestation of inequity. In a society where the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow, and where inequity defines the system, civil unrest is inevitable. When people see systemic failures compounded by corruption, the social contract breaks. Trust erodes, and the implicit agreement that society will provide stability and fairness collapses. In this context, looting should not be shocking; it’s inevitable.

The Case for Personal Resilience

The fires weren’t helped by dried-up reservoirs, unbrushed forests, and budget cuts to firefighting. These are government failures that we’ve seen before and will see again. Here’s the critical takeaway: we can’t rely on the government to save us. That’s not pessimism; it’s reality. The solution? PERSONAL RESILIENCE.

Personal resilience means taking ownership of what you can control. In the case of a fire, here are three steps to increase your odds:

Safety plans: develop and familiarize yourself with community-level plans, evacuation strategies, and emergency communication protocols.

Home Fortification: protecting your home by managing brush, ensuring access to emergency water, and using fire-resistant materials where possible.

Backup systems: ensure access to generators, backup power, and emergency supplies. Keep a portable file case with cherished photos, back-up drives, cash, and important documents.

The government’s shortcomings highlight why we need to take action at the personal level. A resilient individual, family, or community is the first line of defense against systemic failures. Resilience is survival.

The Mispricing of Safety

The events in LA underscore another critical issue: the value of safety when shopping for real estate. What we like to call -- Big Radius Safe.

Here’s the premise: As inequity grows, so does fragility. Social unrest, looting, and violence are no longer confined to specific areas. The concept of safety has evolved and now requires a larger radius—a bigger buffer zone. Communities, towns, and cities need to account for the safety premium, not just in material terms but also in personal security, to prepare for potential disruptions.

Losing possessions to looting is one thing; having to question your personal safety is another. This heightened fragility must be addressed, as it’s why the safety premium will increasingly dictate where people choose to live.

Action Over Alarm

The LA fires and their aftermath are a microcosm of broader societal fractures. Inequity drives unrest. Systemic failures demand resilience. And the safety premium is becoming increasingly valuable in a fragile world. For those paying attention, the winning solution remains clear: Personal resilience is the best hedge.

Build it.

Live it. Protect it.