My family moved to the rural South when I was 11. I was never accepted, my mom finally was after about 20 years. Part of it for me was that I think a bit diffe

My family moved to the rural South when I was 11. I was never accepted, my mom finally was after about 20 years. Part of it for me was that I think a bit differently and want different things than most other folks. But a bigger part was that this little Bible Belt town really was intolerant of that, far less so than the urban areas I've lived since then. They simply were more authoritarian and insecure in reaction to someone that didn't want they wanted. Yes, there are good folk in rural areas; in my experience, they're about the same proportion as of good folk in urban areas. And I see no difference in competence; some difference in what people are competent at, sure. (Me, I still spend a lot of time making things, and I'm going to be rebuilding a run-down house this year that I'll probably have to hire someone to help with, but otherwise am doing myself.) I'm really, truly sick of the urban vs. rural culture war garbage. Romanticize whatever you like, that's the nature of how humans relate to their communities. But here's a hint: if that requires shitting on other ways of life, you're being defensive and insecure.