Fine, if you want to live in the Nineteenth Century, grow a beard and join the Amish. The rest of us have to A.) live somewhere, because population isn’t shrinking, and B.) need to have convenient places to shop with the variety and low prices the invisible hand provides and we demand.
Mind you, your bucolic little county wouldn’t get but a fraction of the tax revenue, (and concurrent lousy services, etc.), they do as a prosperous upscale suburb. I suppose if you still want to live out your fantasy of being a rugged frontiersman you could always move to Alaska.
Did you read the article? He agrees with you, generally speaking.
BTW, I moved from my home of 45 years, Seattle, to a 12 acre farm in rural, central Kentucky. I successfully got away from the mess. I mean, I can’t see another living soul from my house. It’s in the corner of 9 acres of corn field on the finger of a plateau about 80 feet above the valley below. And the nearest main road is two miles away. Dead silence here in the winter and you can see by the light of the Milky Way at night.
Our chickens lay 10 eggs a day, they are free range, and we have goats to clear our woods, plus a quarter acre garden. Wild turkeys and deer regularly wander by our house. and we are 15 minutes from two different wal-mart super stores and a Lowe’s and Tractor Supply. We’re 50 minutes from a Sam’s Club.
Oh, and it is a bicyclists and motorcyclists paradise.
I successfully went to a place with the comforts and conveniences of the 21st century but the positives of the 19th century lifestyle. It can be done, but it takes risk. And faith in the Lord.
Oh, and I work in IT. I have a one hour commute, about the same as many folks in Seattle, except my one hour commute takes me 62 miles. And it’s like “racing” the entire trip. I love it!