Unconnected with our previous exchange, Zach, but writer Isaac Simpson (another 'Zac') has a substack newsletter that studies the world through its propaganda (which I suspect may sometimes cover its aspirational semiotics -- its symbols of self-presentation.)
While it may not interest you in its own right, he lately wrote about three obs…
Unconnected with our previous exchange, Zach, but writer Isaac Simpson (another 'Zac') has a substack newsletter that studies the world through its propaganda (which I suspect may sometimes cover its aspirational semiotics -- its symbols of self-presentation.)
While it may not interest you in its own right, he lately wrote about three obscure cities in Montana undergoing what he sees as a tension over their character and future, and some issues seemed to resonate with your coverage of The Front Range in Colorado. The themes of change, values and urban character were strong enough that I thought you might enjoy this read. Perhaps one of these cities might someday lure you to visit and compare notes.
Excellent read - thanks for sharing. Definitely some similar themes, the sheer size of Denver and the Springs makes everything a bit more subtle in comparison to small town Montana.
It was, Cheyenne -- along with Big Sky and Three Forks. The author pits it as a newcomer bourgeoisie overclass vs a generationally-invested working poor underclass. He writes:
[quote]
Bozeman is [...] unrecognizable from even six years ago [...] The local spend on Patagonia and Lululemon alone must crack $10 million year. [...] Even at the dive bar it’s purple hair and tattoos. Baseball on the TVs. The only cowboy hats ironic. Not even a biker left. [...] A girl in Yeezies and a Prada purse window shops Twig and Whistle, her tall, impossible-jawline panama-hat boyfriend crinkles his tan crows-feet and attempts a Reaganite howdy.
Before, all this could be excused as the seasonal cycle of a ski town. The point is skiing, not culture, so who cares if the localism is real or the mask at the end of a proboscis tube feeding back to international banks. But that’s the old cycle, the old class, the old morality. Now, ski towns are town towns. People stay in Big Sky year round. The occupational class flees the city. I mean why not, honey? We can ski in the winter and just, like, chill in the Summer. It’s getting bad around here. We love hiking…why not just live in nature all the time?
[/quote]
What he's describing appears to be overtourism become gentrification, with a strong sociopolitical backlash. That's not what Zac described in The Front Range of Colorado but I wonder if it's on the same spectrum.
What's your experience of this, Cheyenne? What sense do you make of it? What brought you to Zach's stack, and what's your interest in Bozeman?
I’d have to agree with the take on Montana. Very similar to the Front Range 40 years ago. Except for generational working poor, a lot of it is Ag based there - stuck on the land/don’t want to be on the land. And Bozeman and Belgrade both, 15 years ago weren’t even small cities. Three Forks is sad!
All three are a rapidly changing population dynamic, not well received either - significant gentrification, much of it not suited regionally, or environmentally. (Have ranches about an hour north of Yellowstone - it’s a back and forth between states.)
Colorado certainly has over-tourism too, I-70 is a regular testament to that 7 days a week.
Unconnected with our previous exchange, Zach, but writer Isaac Simpson (another 'Zac') has a substack newsletter that studies the world through its propaganda (which I suspect may sometimes cover its aspirational semiotics -- its symbols of self-presentation.)
While it may not interest you in its own right, he lately wrote about three obscure cities in Montana undergoing what he sees as a tension over their character and future, and some issues seemed to resonate with your coverage of The Front Range in Colorado. The themes of change, values and urban character were strong enough that I thought you might enjoy this read. Perhaps one of these cities might someday lure you to visit and compare notes.
If so, I'd gladly read it.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-63957049
Excellent read - thanks for sharing. Definitely some similar themes, the sheer size of Denver and the Springs makes everything a bit more subtle in comparison to small town Montana.
Bet I can guess that Bozeman is one of those 3 cities.
It was, Cheyenne -- along with Big Sky and Three Forks. The author pits it as a newcomer bourgeoisie overclass vs a generationally-invested working poor underclass. He writes:
[quote]
Bozeman is [...] unrecognizable from even six years ago [...] The local spend on Patagonia and Lululemon alone must crack $10 million year. [...] Even at the dive bar it’s purple hair and tattoos. Baseball on the TVs. The only cowboy hats ironic. Not even a biker left. [...] A girl in Yeezies and a Prada purse window shops Twig and Whistle, her tall, impossible-jawline panama-hat boyfriend crinkles his tan crows-feet and attempts a Reaganite howdy.
Before, all this could be excused as the seasonal cycle of a ski town. The point is skiing, not culture, so who cares if the localism is real or the mask at the end of a proboscis tube feeding back to international banks. But that’s the old cycle, the old class, the old morality. Now, ski towns are town towns. People stay in Big Sky year round. The occupational class flees the city. I mean why not, honey? We can ski in the winter and just, like, chill in the Summer. It’s getting bad around here. We love hiking…why not just live in nature all the time?
[/quote]
What he's describing appears to be overtourism become gentrification, with a strong sociopolitical backlash. That's not what Zac described in The Front Range of Colorado but I wonder if it's on the same spectrum.
What's your experience of this, Cheyenne? What sense do you make of it? What brought you to Zach's stack, and what's your interest in Bozeman?
I’d have to agree with the take on Montana. Very similar to the Front Range 40 years ago. Except for generational working poor, a lot of it is Ag based there - stuck on the land/don’t want to be on the land. And Bozeman and Belgrade both, 15 years ago weren’t even small cities. Three Forks is sad!
All three are a rapidly changing population dynamic, not well received either - significant gentrification, much of it not suited regionally, or environmentally. (Have ranches about an hour north of Yellowstone - it’s a back and forth between states.)
Colorado certainly has over-tourism too, I-70 is a regular testament to that 7 days a week.
Thanks for sharing, Ruv. Cheers