The Unspoken Rules of Rural Life
Rural living in Nevada operates under a set of unspoken rules that everyone is expected to follow, often to the detriment of progress. These rules are not based on any objective criteria, but rather on arbitrary standards established by self-appointed community leaders. These leaders set the tone for the community, and their authority is rarely questioned.

The Rules of Social Interactions
To succeed socially in these rural communities, it is essential to recognize those who have declared themselves important. Unlike cities, these influential figures are often the least thoughtful individuals yet have the loudest voices. They gain influence by dominating conversations or inserting themselves where they are not needed, frequently answering questions that no one has asked.

For example, one individual once exerted considerable power over the local school. She claimed her child was a prodigy and pressured educators into changing grades just to avoid confrontation. Ironically, her child later failed out of a party school during the first semester, confirming previous doubts about his abilities. Despite this, she now sits on the school board, perpetuating her uninformed opinions and ensuring that other children are held to the same low standards as her own.

Civility is rarely found in these social interactions. Instead, bars are a central feature of the community. In Hawthorne, Nevada, the number of bars may even exceed the number of churches. The density of bars in this town is striking.Alcohol plays a central role in social gatherings. Nearly every event requires alcohol, and the town’s social life revolves around drinking. However, the local preference is not for high-quality beverages; most people settle for cheap, plastic-bottle liquor. Social events frequently devolve into chaos, with attendees often stumbling and falling over one another.

The most significant event in the town is Armed Forces Days. Although it appears to honor military personnel, the event often ends in drunkenness. On more than one occasion, a school board member has been seen so intoxicated that she ended up urinating in the street.

Political Affiliation
Hawthorne, Nevada, like many similar communities, demonstrates a lack of educated political engagement. Despite widespread poverty and unemployment, residents frequently vote against their own interests. The motivation seems less about self-improvement and more about ensuring others do not gain an advantage. Progress is not a priority and has long since bypassed the community.
Expressing progressive opinions is the quickest way to be ostracized. Having forward-thinking ideas leads to suspicion; such individuals are often accused of being spies or having ulterior motives. Instead of being seen as someone with the community’s best interests in mind, a progressive thinker is quickly entangled in endless conspiracy theories.

Response to Non-Locals
The town is particularly unwelcoming to outsiders. Hawthorne has earned the nickname “the town of kissing cousins” due to its insular and often hostile attitude toward non-locals. Residents will go to great lengths to drive outsiders away.
Small towns like Hawthorne are quick to blame outsiders for their problems. When things go wrong, they find ways to attribute blame to anyone not from their community. If the weather turns colder, it must be due to newcomers. If poor decisions are made, the fault lies with someone from out of town.
Ironically, residents frequently use “Californian” as a derogatory term, applying it to anything they perceive as liberal or different, often without understanding its meaning. This is especially ironic for those who might aspire to live in California themselves.
California is a state that has managed to lift itself up to be a powerhouse. They are the proof that liberal theories can in certain instances work. They manage to provide worker rights and services beyond what Nevada could even remotely envision.