Imagine the Unimaginables 2026 Update Part III: What are Podcasts telling me about my Unimaginables?

Approaching the 4th of July 2026 — 250 years of the American Experiment with Democracy

Disrupting the Disruptors!

Come to think of it, the founding of the United States of America 250 years ago was the basis of a major disruption. Its history has been a series of attmepts to disrupt the founders. Many have tried to challenge the foundation whether for right or wrong. Those currently attempting to disrupt it may need to face yet another disruption. Imagine the Unimaginable! 

I started this update in early May, got distracted and perhaps frustrated with all the ongoing events and so will review and try to update what relevant developments have occurred pertinent to my Unimaginables.  Looking back on the first quarter of the Year of the Fire Horse, a year meant to be volatile and possibly a year of major changes. One major change is happening perhaps by accident, but nonetheless happening—America is caught up again in another Forever(?) War which was promised not to happen. This may be a major disruption that could change the prospects for Trump and his party.

Imagine the Unimaginables for 2026 created on February 4, 2026 were as follows:

#1)  The Europeans and the American Democratic Party, often referred to as “Woke” take ACTION! Unimaginable! It has become existential for both to rise up!

 Unimaginable #2): Talk of the Tech Bubble dissipates until it doesn’t...

 Unimaginable #3): Consume or Not to Consume (not consuming is unimaginable):

Unimaginable #4): Alternative Energy esp. Solar Power beats Oil 

Unimaginable #5): Another Bubble—Gold, Silver, Commodities? US Interest Rates actually stay steady?

Unimaginable #6): A Building Boom in the Developed Markets

Unimaginable #7): Away from the Algorithm and into the Analog — Analog is Cool!

Unimaginable #8): A Return to Nature Coupled With a Trend of Being Cool Without Extraordinary Wealth (experiences over material)

Unimaginable #9): What about China? Victory for Ukraine? 

To get an impression of the original Unimaginables post plus updates, please visit the following links: Out Goes the Observant (Circular) Snake-Ouroboros and In Crosses the (Red Line) Powerful, Bold & High-Energy Horse! February 4, 2026  https://www.invest-a-vision.com/blog/Out%20Goes%20the%20Observant%20(Circular)%20Snake-Ouroboros%20and%20In%20Crosses%20the%20(Red%20Line)%20Powerful,%20Bold%20&%20High-Energy%20Horse!%203

Update: Disrupting the Disruptors! February 17, 2026   https://www.invest-a-vision.com/blog/update-out-goes-the-observant-circular-snake-ouroboros-and-in-crosses-the-red-line-powerful-bold-high-energy-horse

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 Let's Contemplate What Can Go Right?

So much has happened since the last update on March 10 when I compared today’s events and possible outcomes to the last year of the Fire Horse, 1966: https://www.invest-a-vision.com/blog/chinese-new-year-of-the-fire-horse-let-s-look-at-1966-and-see-what-we-can-learn-from-history

The Iran War, how can we afford it? Government spending is over the top while taxes and benefits get cut so that there is not enough income to cover rising costs. The safety net is deteriorating and so Americans and now because of the war, the World is experiencing even more “angst” and uncertainty. Even with the Republicans facing headwinds, the Democrats struggle to find leadership and are not immune from being also implicated in the affordability issues. Then there's the increased gerrymandering being allowed in favor of the Republicans, but being countered by the Democrats. So imagine this: perhaps there is an opening for a new political force in the name of an independent party. Just imagine an independent party in Congress opening the door to bipartisan compromise where bills get passed in favor of the people, for the people. Or maybe a demolition of the party system altogether which was not part of the original design of the government founders and now being discussed going into the 250 year celebration. People write-in their choice candidates (non-party affiliated and qualified through the primary process) and we get representatives of the people. Now there's a disruption! Unimaginable?

 Podcast: Independent candidates could gain traction: Andrew Yang, (https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/hard-fork/id1528594034?l=en-GB&i=1000763408062 , https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/prof-g-markets/id1744631325?l=en-GB&i=1000763389839 ) UBI (Universal Basic Income) make AI firms pay labor (human) tax free, alternative minimum tax on AI revenues

Look at the recent elections in Hungary and the possible victory for Seth Bodnar, the Montana Senator independent candidate and former President of the University of Montana.

New York Mayor Mondani successfully endorses 3 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates in the NYC Democratic Primaries.

 Unimaginable #1)  The Europeans unite as does the American Democratic Party, both often referred to as “Woke,” take ACTION! Unimaginable! It has become existential for both to rise up!

It’s all about affordability in America and Constitutional Rights and for Europe breaking their economic and security dependency on the USA.

 Hungary rose up and elected democratically against hefty odds Pyotr Magyar to defeat Orban, a certain authoritarian leader who has inspired many on the Right across Europe and the USA, supported by Putin and in the end, President Trump and Vice-President Vance. This will allow for a release of nearly €90 billion of frozen Russian assets to help the Ukraine.  Europe can only defend themselves as Europeans and not as individual EU members alone. Europe will also get used to the idea of leading NATO which includes non-EU countries, Norway and Turkey and Canada.

Living in Berlin and I have yet to meet a European who can imagine this. They are simply used to disliking one another, but now they have common forces to dislike together: Russia, China and unfortunately, the USA. Europe has kept some of the remaining democratic forces that hold together because their respect for institutions and the rule of law. AND most importantly, due to this, they have been able to maintain peace which was also unimaginable until the design of the EU under the protection of NATO. What happens when America leaves NATO? Europe’s only chance to survive will be as a unified force.

Podcast April 16, 2026, The Rest is Politics - “Orbán Ousted: Is the Tide Turning Against Right Wing Populism?” https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-rest-is-politics/id1611374685?l=en-GB&i=1000761400295

Podcast May 14, 2026: The Political Scene from The New Yorker: “Hungary Avoided Democratic Collapse. Can We?” https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-political-scene-the-new-yorker/id268213039?l=en-GB&i=1000767656258

And the Democrats? It feels like the Mid-Terms are theirs to lose. Quite dangerous and not to be taken for granted.

An interview with Jason Crow, Democrat on the Political Scene Podcast from The New Yorker gave some hints:

“Well, I think we're ending sort of where we started, which is with visions of what those midterm campaign ads are going to look like. They're probably going to feature a lot of Donald Trump's war in the Middle East and a lot of Democrats saying today is a good day to do the right thing.”

 Podcast: From The Political Scene | The New Yorker: A Member of the “Seditious Six” on Reviving the Democratic Party, 16. May 2026

https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-political-scene-the-new-yorker/id268213039?l=en-GB&i=1000768064036&r=2479This material may be protected by copyright.

 Can Europe develop its own AI prowess? Article: "Europe Is Fed Up and Wants Its Own AI 

"It's a stretch to think that the continent can build a top-tier model, but it has an advantage: Donald Trump." https://www.wired.com/story/europe-is-fed-up-and-wants-its-own-ai/

Unimaginable #2): Talk of the Tech Bubble dissipates until it doesn’t...

Seems we are back there again. The circular arguments are still in place and the dominance of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) may be starting to wane as inflation starts to reveal economic and financial challenges ahead. SpaceX had a successful IPO or did it? OpenAI was due to go public and now wants to wait until next year. Will Anthropic anyway go for it? Semiconductor Chips and AI companies have rallied as the SOX Index has taken on bubble characteristics. Their fortunes depend on Data Center build out and investor tolerance for loss making enterprises (SpaceX and OpenAI, Anthropic) and continuous growth in earnings for the Chip shares.  A return to fundamentals may be what triggers more profit taking.

Unimaginable #3): Consume or Not to Consume: How can America grow when consumption gets challenged?

So far even high gas prices have not discouraged consumption growth, but the consumption growth seems to be a reflection of price increases and not material purchase increases. It is also a reflection of the "flipping" culture (turning a profit from buying and selling not only financial assets, but stuff). For how much longer? Higher prices, interest rates and government debt will be major election themes now. It’s all about affordability and positive cash flows! Back to Fundamentals.

Unimaginable #4): Alternative Energy esp. Solar Power beats Oil

This seems so obvious, but is a sector that has been ignored, and that may be changing now. Could be an advantage for Europe due to their environmentally friendly policies. The current heatwave has hit Europe unexpectedly hard, it is attributed to climate change and it is still uncertain what solutions will emerge. Still because of the shortages caused by the closed Straits of Hormuz, countries around the world want to again become more energy self-reliant. An obvious choice is alternative energy esp. when thinking of fueling electricity.

Unimaginable #5): Another Bubble—Gold, Silver, Commodities? US Interest Rates actually stay steady?

In the last weeks the Commodity bubbles have corrected as the US Dollar has strengthened challenging the debasement trade and the focus on oil price volatility rather than the metals, which have corrected considerably. Investors start to worry about rising interest rates rather than being secure in assuming rate cuts. Could the new FED Chairman, Kevin Warsh, have something to do with that? Adam Posen, President of the Peterson Institute back in February challenged these lower rates assumptions on Bloomberg's Odd Lots podcast predicting that inflation would go to 4% and that was before the Iran War! Semiconductor Chip companies esp. in Korea are also rallying as if in a bubble. It's all about pricing power.

Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/odd-lots/id1056200096?l=en-GB&i=1000749568039

Prediction markets:   https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/hard-fork/id1528594034?l=en-GB&i=1000763408062

Unimaginable #6): A Building Boom in the Developed Markets

Building boom implies considerable political conflict in finding a fair solution. Costs are overwhelming. Supply remains tight as long as there is the current unwillingness to sell, too costly to build and high mortgage rates. A building boom remains unimaginable, but its resolution could be the answer to many problems esp. when creating wealth for the middle class.

 Podcast: Back to basics and affordability away from  “Costly IN”: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-ezra-klein-show/id1548604447?l=en-GB&i=1000763393453 (Ezra Klein speaks with Stewart Brand, Silicon Valley's Favorite Prophet, On LIfe's Most Important Principle"

Unimaginable #7): Away from the Algorithm and into the Analog — Analog is Cool!

The world is addicted to something or another. The influence of the internet is dumbing us down and isolating people from one another and shuffling in a high degree of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. I guess analog and internet-free implies too much work.

Apparently, Meta did a study showing that  3 weeks w/out Instagram creates greater happiness! There is a movement to get kids off their phones. Even a trend in discovering reading or listening to books or podcasts. Creators get their revenge! And yes, people return to the Movie Theater! The creators offer authenticity which also reflects diversity as compared to AI algorithms and design.

 Pivot Podcast: Pivot - "analog is in"  https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/pivot/id1073226719?l=en-GB&i=1000774326373

Live from Cannes, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway unpack the rise of the creator economy, Meta’s prediction market ambitions, and Europe’s push to break free from U.S. tech dominance. Then, they discuss Hollywood’s blockbuster comeback, Instagram’s plans for TV, and the staggering amount of money flowing into World Cup betting markets.

This episode was recorded live at ADWEEK House in Cannes, France on June 24, 2026.

Film business and creator communities are growing with and without AI    https://www.wsj.com/business/media/box-office-summer-2026-890603ff

Unimaginable #8): A Return to Nature Coupled With a Trend of Being Cool Without Extraordinary Wealth

It’s all about authenticity and aesthetics—away from fake and lies and getting back what’s real and truth. Less material, cool is experiences. This is a return to the 70s when it may have been a matter of not having a choice and making the most of limited funds and still enjoy experiences.

Authenticity and aesthetics may be the campaign rally cry in the Mid-term Elections!

Podcast: Back to basics (and the 60s) and affordability away from  “Costly IN”: Stewart Brand: Silicon Valley’s Favorite Prophet, on Life’s Most Important Principle”: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-ezra-klein-show/id1548604447?l=en-GB&i=1000763393453

Podcast: AI: BroCulture, wealth and power: The Political Scene from May 9, 2026 (New Yorker): “Have the Billionaires Gone too Far?” https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-political-scene-the-new-yorker/id268213039?l=en-GB&i=1000766872276

Earnest-authenticity makes a comeback: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/critics-at-large-the-new-yorker/id1704902371?l=en-GB&i=1000763222890

Meeting people in person:

Yes, Monopoly Lifesized is an official licensed product and experiential attraction from Hasbro in partnership with The Path Entertainment Group. It is a physical, immersive, 75-minute, large-scale version of the board game where teams move around a life-sized board, complete challenges in rooms, and manage properties. 

David Brooks: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/05/reactionary-traditionalism-worldview/686597/

“I agree with the traditionalists that tradition is important, but I don’t think of it as something we need to go back to. Rather, I see it as something that each generation pushes forward. And for this, we need a humanistic renaissance. In schools, universities, and culture at large, we need to focus more explicitly on the big questions of life: What is my purpose? How should the next generation live? What role should beauty play in my life? How do I build a friendship? What do I owe my spouse, my community, my nation? We need to use the best that has been thought and said by all of the great civilizations of the Earth, but especially by Western civilization, which is our own particular home, our core resource while we try to stumble toward a better future.”

Unimaginable #9): What about China? Victory for Ukraine? 

The War in Iran has virtually changed the balance of power in the world. China appeared the obvious winner at the beginning, but now there is no obvious winner. The two lessons we are learning are that the mighty military forces, namely USA and Russia are challenged due to drones and a different economy of war. Iran and Ukraine are fighting for survival, a powerful force. The second is the discovery of choke points as a allowing for strongholds. Europe also has a potential choke point, namely in the arctic. Food for Thought.

Podcasts:

Edward Fishman’s book is “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare”.

In conclusion...

So let's contemplate positive changes and what can go right as we can no longer tolerate the abuse of power and therefore, watch and act as the disruptors get disrupted. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence should be a positive reminder of our great Democracy and the Power to the People!