BILLIONAIRE WILDERNESS
Farrell, Justin (2020) Billionaire Wilderness, The Ultra-Wealthy and The Remaking Of The American West, Princeton , New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 375 pages.
Teton County is the richest county in all of the United States. It is also the most unequal. By the 1870, they became part of the Census. The gated community is simply filled with billionaires. Most have been “speculators.” They have new titles but these folks are hard working and ruthless. Teton is just south of Yellowstone Park and is surrounded by the tri-state Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
They have everything. Yet they have a gnawing guilt. Justin was able to do an ethnographic study for awhile because he came from the area and got a PhD from Yale University. The rich locals were used to thinking that this Justin was with a conservative magazine and would do a “puff piece.”When they discovered that he was different he was escorted from the area.
Here is what he found. The citizens are super rich and they are so habituated to money that they can’t give any away to the “help” such as Latinos, who travel about 100 miles to and from their jobs. The rich make friends with them on the elite’s rules. They had been ruthless and like a wolf chasing a fawn bites the face off the small deer. The money spent must go back to them (the rich.)
Now they want to wash away their sins. They do everything. They talk about conservation and art. They dress like the workers. When parties are held a poor worker is served by a billionaire. The more money they make the worse they feel. They romanize nature like a combination of movie western and Transcendentalism. Dead wood is cleared and a rusty old something is buried. Workers come and go. It is absolutely beautiful
Philanthropy is abundant and various organizations are dominated by the billionaires. They feel that they must blend in with others so that they are not harmed. They drive a truck, wear cowboy boots and western hats and checkered shirts. The jacket is bought in town.
They know that they have a stigma since the mid 60’s when the median recorded income for the rich vs. the median household was 20 times. Now it is 300 times. They are moderates for the sake of their souls.
There is a false consciousness. Everything is really good. The help do not complain and go to town with them for a cheap beer. However, there may be a tipping point. Social neuroscientists using eye trackers and fMRI have discovered that if the billionaire can give away a small amount of money, their health improves.
Further a class consciousness is emerging. They are marching to get a raise and health benefits. Is that possible? Yes. Probable? Maybe. However, the help is up against sharks and they know how to fight. All of this is not fought on a dusty war dessert, but in one of the prettiest areas in the United States.
The outcome is not yet known. However, there is still trouble in paradise. This is an excellent book.
Joel C. Snell
Professor Emeritus
Kirkwood College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Apple Wood Hills
3105 Alleghany Dr. NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
52402
319-366-0063
SOCIALVIBES/ WORKING PAPER