Montanan Xenophobia

Before we decided to make the trek to Montana, I did some research to see what problems, hurdles, and obstacles we might encounter during a relocation. I frequently came across lists of reasons why people should not move to Big Sky Country. The reasons are always some form of "you can't hack frontier life." It's too cold, there's too much snow, you'll get eaten by bears, trampled by moose, bitten by snakes, or chewed on by some grizzled mountain man. If it is not fearmongering about the dangers of the wild west, it's a frank warning about economic depression and a lack of employment. Sometimes it's just plain unhospitality, "Get off my lawn!" This is in sharp contrast to a recent Gallop poll where Montanans (along with Alaskans) rated their state the best place to live in the US.

Clearcutting makes me sad...

Ever Encroaching Horde of Humanity

I understand it. There are definitely plenty of city slickers who could get themselves or others killed with their lack of respect for untamed mother nature. Then there are the rich elite who have managed to drive up real estate prices and create expansive, private fiefdoms that rail against the Montanan culture of accessible public land. From my experience, Montanans embrace the outdoor lifestyle; it's very similar to the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv. More people mean less wild which erodes the very reasons everyone loves Montana.

I mourn the loss of empty spaces even here in the midwest. I'd much rather see fields of corn and soybeans than claustrophobic, cookie-cutter subdivisions. It really cuts my psyche to see trees felled under the chainsaws of ever-encroaching hordes of humanity.

Artist Concept of an Arcology

Part of the Problem?

Does my relocation make me part of the problem? Should humanity just be bunched together and stacked atop each other? I totally think more urban areas should invest in the concept of the tall arcology that embraces architectural design principals of densely populated habitats. The planet could also benefit from hastening the trend of smaller families (and maybe free vasectomies and contraception).

I certainly hope I'm not part of the problem. I just don't feel like I belong in the midwest. I yearn for the dense pines, tall mountains, and sparsely populated areas of western Montana. Perhaps I can become an advocate for the conservation of the untamed lands I anticipate living in as penance for daring to call the last best place my home.

Additional Reading

• Top 10 Reasons Not to Move to Montana
• 10 Reasons Not to Move to Boseman
• So You Want to Move to Montana
• Friluftsliv - An Outdoor Lifestyle
• Arcology - Cutaways of the Future City-Hives That Never Were
• Introduction to Arcology