This seemed to be relevant enough to post here. Gerald Celente is a forecaster who looks at, as he puts it, "current events to define future trends". I've seen him a couple of times and even though I don't always agree with him, his points always seem to have some validity to them. Here's a two part talk with Yahoo Tech Ticker about what he sees happening in the near future with the economy and the more self-sustaining lifestyles we may all soon be living.

U.S. Postponed the Great Depression, Not Prevented It, Says Trend Forecaster Celente:

Survivor, America: "It's Only Going to Get Worse," Gerald Celente Says

From Yahoo Tech Ticker:
U.S. Postponed the Great Depression, Not Prevented It, Says Trend Forecaster Celente and Yahoo Tech Ticker: Survivor, America: "It's Only Going to Get Worse," Gerald Celente Says

Obviously, no one can predict the future, but I also think it's important to prepare for the worst possible future that is most likely. Worst case is that nothing happens but you are more secure and feel better about where you stand in the world. Then again, I guess that would be the best case.

This is by no means the reason I'm planning becoming more self-sufficient. Becoming more self-sufficient has to do more with it being the right thing to do for my future and that I enjoy the kind of life it gives me (better standard of living, you might say) but the uncertainty of the future does become a reason to do it even more.