[Poohbah]

That's the problem: 20,000 would have a local impact. The only candidates for said experiment are states with very low population densities. Said low densities of inhabitation tend to occur for very valid reasons (in the US, it is almost always because of a lack of water). Achieving some sort of statewide impact would require the 20,000 to move into areas of scarce water resources (as in all water is 100% allocated to existing users). That is unlikely to endear the 20,000 to their neighbors, and is likely to be a negative influence on the attitudes.

[agrandis]

Good point - concerning avoiding states with a water problem. As I pointed out in another post on this thread, the state may have to be a cold state (another reason for low population) which would make me hesitate (I just operate better in hotter climes).