Think it can’t happen here? First, take a look at what happens when a community dies — the abandoned fire department, courthouse and police buildings in Henry Ford’s “birthplace of industrialization,” Highland Park. The municipality fled and left the place to the inhabitants, who sadly don’t seem to deserve it even in its current state. Found via this thread in FAL Files Forums.
Then, check out this transcript from NPR — about how everybody who can possibly afford it is now using helicopters — even heli-taxis — to get from place to place in Mexico City, because it’s too congested (and dangerous) to travel on the ground. And this transcript from the NewsHour last week — a story about Tijuana, where it’s now SOP there to armor your vehicle against the drug gangs, and go with armed security when traveling anywhere on the ground. I would imagine that’s going to spread north to San Diego within a decade….
Speaking of which, I used to live there. (San Diego, not Tijuana.) I found Matthew Bracken’s description of a near-future dystopic San Diego to be fascinating. Among other things, it’s very clear that he believes in a slowly collapsing society, the only safe travel is by air. (See news stories above….)
Yes, that means I’ll be finally getting around to reviewing Domestic Enemies: The Reconquista this coming Sunday. Short version: it’s better than the first book. Buy it.
Unfortunately, I will be moving to San Diego here in a few months… I confess this does not fill me with warm, happy feelings.
If you’re already a Californian living in an urban center, I doubt it will feel that much different, at least for a while.
If you’re not currently a Californian, you WILL have warm, happy feelings from all the constant sunshine. Until you get to the point where you miss seeing clouds….
Be sure to make time to check out the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park — both are American treasures that should not be missed.
Currently living in Northern Florida at the moment, and on the northern edge of the Gulf before that (Hurricane Katrina kind of necessitated a rather swift move from that location…), so the sun should not be all that different. The shootings, proximity to Mexico, and all the rest, however…
I will definitely check out those locations, though. Thanks for the heads up.