We haven’t made the big jump of being isolated and off the grid but, we are prepared to live without it for a spell.
So should everyone.
Some of us have always been told to turn out the lights when we leave a room, not waste gas, but do that errand on a day when you are going in that direction, burn wood in the winter and not rely on electric, gas etc; recycle, buy local (which I am able to do), support those that GROW local. Save your pennies. Support the local farmer. There is nothing new here.
People that can afford to do so will pay for the latest in solar, geothermal, tank-less hot water heaters..the "green stuff". etc.
Just as I point out the Chute's are not telling anyone how to live their lives, they just don't want anyone else especially BIG Government (with the likes of Antiwar past flower child protester ("I served in Vietnam")John F Kerry & others telling them how to live their lives. Taking their land for the good of others which are for recreation/developers etc.
There's a good newly debuted mystery book out now called "The Poacher's Son" by the editor of Maine's DownEast Magazine. Shows all this in a similar light. Takes place in Maine. Game wardens. The back woods. Nelson DeMille gives it kudos. Excellent read.
Just now the flower children old and new, whether and ex of Urban Outfitters or some hippie artist are now packing.
It's about defining comfort and needs, nothing new there just we tend to forget.
If you have always lived a certain lifestyle, you have to laugh at those that all of a sudden discover it and THINK they discovered it.
I admire Chute and her novels.
There's not much difference between their thinking and the Tea Party..or mine on many issues. We can all agree on being grateful for what we have, and not letting the government take away everything we have worked for. Be self sufficient is nothing new. Some just have always talked the walk, but just never walk the walk.