I am not trying to be snarky or play gotcha games. I am pointing out that the Amish lifestyle is an artifact of American society and would not be possible in ma

I am not trying to be snarky or play gotcha games. I am pointing out that the Amish lifestyle is an artifact of American society and would not be possible in many other parts of the world. They are playing life in such an easy mode that they decided to have self-imposed restrictions. The electric grid is one of humanities greatest achievement, one that many places unfortunately still can not afford to build. And more generally I am criticizing the fetishization of self-reliance in its many forms (preppers, bunker builders, gun ownership, etc.) that is so popular with some people. It is a fundamentally nearsighted privilege by selectively ignoring other forms of reliance. Self reliance is not an attitude of resilience, it is one of isolation, selfishness and ruthless competition. It is precisely the goals for which people came together in cooperation that are humanities greatest achievements. Cooperation and interdependence are higher moral virtues.