We are seeing the emergence of landed aristocracy in America. Soon they will insist on being called Baron Murdoch, Earl Bezos and Duke Gates.
Seeing the emergence??
The buying of ranch property in the west has been going on for decades. Nothing new here, and, the locals are much happier with the Murdoch family as owners than when the numero uno A-hole Ted Turner started buying up the place in the 80's.
California still has adverse possession laws for squatters. Have always thought we should take a bunch of people up to Jerry Browns land (2500 acres) and re-settle it, like the Bear Flag republic guys did to Mariano Vallejo.