Dear Editor,
Moab has reached the tipping point, folks. A “tipping point” is defined as the critical point in a situation, process or system beyond which significant and often unstoppable effects or change takes place. The term originated in the field of epidemiology when an infectious disease reaches a point beyond any local ability to control it. The term is now often used with regard to climate change. Moab has morphed from a small, isolated, funky, independent, ugly little town – and crossed the tipping point to an unceasing event-of-the-week, overnight rental and real estate-driven chase for profit, the lion’s share of which lines relatively few pockets. We’re infected with “next hip place” disease.
I’ve seen it coming for some time, but did not think it would get here quite this fast.
If you are here just trying to maintain a sustainable living, raise a family and enjoy the undeniable natural splendor of our home town, simply because you love this formerly forsaken place – best to hunker down and find a niche that works for you.
Like it or not, our scenic and natural wonders have been commodified, for money, for profit, for investment – and that, if you stop and think about it, is not unlike the natural resource extractive (exploitive?) industries that are degrading our homeland from the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Once a place has reached the tipping point, there’s no turning back. Aspen, Vail and Sun Valley created the template. To them you can add Park City, Telluride, Silver City, Crested Butte, Taos and on, and on, and on.
Now we can add Moab to the list.
Try to stay sane, and plan your life around avoiding having to make a left-hand turn in the city.
