I think Americans have been led to believe that increasingly uptight security, stricter "on-the-grid" measures, and closer regulation is synonymous with civilization. Nevertheless, it's quite possible to be off the grid in America, but most people who live so seem to be economically disadvantaged, and I'm not sure which way the cause and effect flows. (Not that big business is that much less of a problem elsewhere, it's just more obvious when they are.)

Places like the Trumbullplex are changing that from the ground up in some significant ways; sort of a return to communal living. I think the reason we've allowed the government to get so big is because we don't live communally anymore, and we need some sort of support structure.