Very similar to me. Wish we could discuss over brews...

There’s absolutely every reason to literally go Galt after this year. If you live in the United States, after seeing all the pointless crap our tax money is being spent on, it’s pretty much a requirement. The parasitic filth that demands more money but will use anything as an excuse not to work. Starve the beast.
I’m in Engineering at an essential equipment manufacturer. When you commented on Babysitting Lunatics I can totally relate. I’m heading for the gulch at 55. Mixture of minimalism and saving. Before this latest “pandemic” I figured I could make it to “normal” age. Not anymore. I’ve got, and had, enough. Of the things I had left that I wanted to do, I’m just accepting that they are not on the menu anymore. Why give THEM anymore of my time and money. All this BS has done, regarding me, is remove an otherwise productive citizen, with an uncommon and essential skill set, from the production of GDP. Good Job Statists. I’d try to enact change. But, this country is rotten to the core. The “United” States as it currently exists is not worth the proverbial squeeze. We literally cannot perform simple addition. 1+1 does NOT equal 3. Although with the correct software and a box of ballots found under a table at 3am it can. Balkanization is the only outcome which I will feel my time spent contributing to society is well spent. It’s time to dissolve this union. Let the parasites feed off of each other. In a world of their own creation.
We need a practical guide to Going Galt. Things to do and not to do. For me getting a new vehicle is out. My old vehicle does 99% of what a new one will. Except one very important feature. It doesn’t enslave me.

I’m 77. I wear a mask when necessary, mostly to go to the supermarket and the gym. It beats the alternative in terms of my overall well-being and happiness. I’m not going to refuse to wear a mask just to make a political or social statement.

In the Atlas Shrugged version of the Gulch, members continued to be productive even after withdrawing their talents from society. They had the advantage of each others’ company, but we have the advantage of online forums and virtual meetings, so there are some compensatory advantages in today’s world.

Isaac Newton accomplished some of his most productive output while in self-isolation from the pandemic of his day: https://www.washingtonpost.com/histor...

Took the words out of my mouth. Right there with you AJ! I won't wear a mask so I go no where. Making for not a fun life. I own a slowing business because of government shutdowns but my safe haven is my farm. I can spend all my spare time working on the farm and completely avoid people. Good thing I have it because it would kill me to sit on my ass.

We have a lovely military reservation at Canyon Lake (near Austin). Good fishing. Friendly campers. Cooking tacos, serving margueritas. My BFF who died in 2010 loved the 'Army people'. Also Lake Somerville is wonderful, boating, fishing. And the Army reservation at Belton Lake even has an Enlisted men's club up on the hill. Good food and drinks. You can fish all night and all weather....barge with a hole in the bottom of it and heaters and fans for comfort.

We don't see much blue in Texas. I can recall in earlier years when we did but not today.

Frankly, if I stopped working as hard or as long as I do I'd lose my mind.

This country offers nothing to me anymore. The central aspect of my existance has always been to follow my own path and let others do the same. Until 2020, until covid, I've been able to go about my business. Now its expected that I comply, I bend a knee, wear an asinine mask in publiuc, and pretend all is okay..its not. I am angry and disgusted. There is no where to go, I can't write, I can't stomach TV anymore, no movies to go to, and I can only play so many video games (or work on my own).

I'm sick of this shit and am perfectly happy that I'm on the downhill slope. If it weren't for work...

I kinda already gulched. Now in a more menial job. Quiet.

I went shopping yesterday for a new light-weight small RV that will follow behind my Explorer. Found a beauty. Army campgrounds here I come. My kids house is about 3 weeks from completion and I'll see this place in my rear view mirror. Just me and my dog and my computer of course.

Gotta love the Vette. There are many here in California. Saw an all-white 63 or 64 a couple days ago. My buddy had a Stingray with the big-block. Neat cars. I'm weird - I want a 2nd Toyota Tundra that I can set up for drag racing.

+1.

Yeah, looking for one as well. Moving is going to suck, but can't stay this close to a big blue city.

I retired (also from engineering) about 5 years ago. I highly recommend it!

I just wish things would open back up so my wife and I could travel more. And yes ... in the Vette!

Unless there is a Trump administration in early 2021, I'll be heading for a Gulch, too.