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In rural Arkansas, we have the freedom to do a lot of crazy things like criticise our government. We also have blazing fast & stable FTTH for $50/month, some of

In rural Arkansas, we have the freedom to do a lot of crazy things like criticise our government. We also have blazing fast & stable FTTH for $50/month, some of the cleanest and tastiest water I've ever put in my mouth (which comes from our well), and our food is of excellent quality because there are many local small farmers who are ethical and stable. There is just enough work in the way of tech businesses a short drive away to make this life style possible. Maybe a change of scenery is in order for you. I can't imaging living in a hellscape like San Fran. I'm in a veritable paradise as far as I can tell. There are problems, but we are working on them, and we generally have the freedom to do so on our own terms without nanny government holding our hand.

thebradbain 6y ago
Whenever I see complaints of “I live in X, X is a mess”, I’m much more likely to listen than when I hear “I live in X, Y is a mess” — the former implies someone has valid critiques that come from their lived experiences, and yet they still choose to live there, for whatever reason. The latter more often than not just speaks to ignorance — it’s easy to dismiss something on hearsay. This goes both ways. I’m from Dallas and live in Los Angeles. Both cities have their own share of problems (and their own great qualities) — and yet both are much more likely to quickly dismiss the other as lost causes than take a deep look at their own issues. It’s fine to have a preference, obviously, but don’t let your preference cloud your judgement: many would say the exact same thing about rural Arkansas — and for many, it probably wouldn’t be a paradise, based on any number of politics, orientations, race, socioeconomic status, or even just where your friends and family are! — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t for you.
renewiltord 6y ago
Just curious, but are you White? No need to answer, but I do see some bimodality in the opinions expressed by people I trust about AR, so I guess if you're not it'll provide some downward pressure on that certainty.
- empthought 6y ago
  I bet my entire salary they are lily-white.

thebradbain 6y ago

Whenever I see complaints of “I live in X, X is a mess”, I’m much more likely to listen than when I hear “I live in X, Y is a mess” — the former implies someone has valid critiques that come from their lived experiences, and yet they still choose to live there, for whatever reason. The latter more often than not just speaks to ignorance — it’s easy to dismiss something on hearsay. This goes both ways. I’m from Dallas and live in Los Angeles. Both cities have their own share of problems (and their own great qualities) — and yet both are much more likely to quickly dismiss the other as lost causes than take a deep look at their own issues. It’s fine to have a preference, obviously, but don’t let your preference cloud your judgement: many would say the exact same thing about rural Arkansas — and for many, it probably wouldn’t be a paradise, based on any number of politics, orientations, race, socioeconomic status, or even just where your friends and family are! — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t for you.

renewiltord 6y ago

Just curious, but are you White? No need to answer, but I do see some bimodality in the opinions expressed by people I trust about AR, so I guess if you're not it'll provide some downward pressure on that certainty.

empthought 6y ago
I bet my entire salary they are lily-white.