Actually they should go do overseas charity work. Work amongst the poorest of the poor . . . then let’s see how they really feel about things.
Moving to virtually all-white Vermont, and remaining Americans is a phony cop out. Trust me, first sign of trouble (illness, etc.) they’ll have their big fat hands out.
You’ve got it.
There’s nothing inheriently noble in doing without for the sake of doing without. They are searching for a freedom that is still, in an inverse way, based on their possessions.
The truly humble do without not for themselves, but to do good for others. Missionaries go to poverty stricken countries and do without because they have to in order to help others, not because they are “letting the universe take them for a ride”.