[PaulHoule]

It is definitely true that NYC and LA are over-represented in American media.

Marx and Lenin wrote about the "idiocy of rural life" but there is an urban idiocy to go with it. Frequently you meet urban people who have no idea where wealth comes from, any more than you'd get an understanding of ecology from looking at a fish tank.

In New York it is a running gag that downstate black politicians are opposed to marijuana legalization because they think some of the business has to be "cut out" for black people because otherwise white people are going to sell all the weed, or that a city councilmember wants to see off-track betting subsidized (not even the racetrack!) to "save jobs".

[runjake]

> "idiocy of rural life"

I think it's important for all free people to ask questions of themselves such as, "If organizations and government weren't there to provide me $service, what would I do to stay alive?"

($service being personal security against threats, healthcare, emergency care, power, fuel, water, food, and so on.)

It is my opinion that everyone should have a rough game plan for each of the above.

The answers to these questions might explain the perceived "idiocy" of rural life to many people.

[s1artibartfast]

I don't understand your example. It seems to me that rural residents have a much better game plan and experience with those questions.

What am I missing?

[runjake]

I'm suggesting they/we have good reasons (self-sufficiency) behind our "rural" ways.

Eg. a law enforcement response to a serious crime is still about 20 minutes. We have extended power outages every year. Every few years, we have 24-72 hour power outages.