Chris Farley predicted that more Americans would be “living in a van down by the river”, but he didn’t anticipate it being a source of pride instead of embarrassment. Social media influencers have been touting the benefits of “van life” ever since COVID-19. The beats are often the same in each post: mobility, freedom, and self-reliance. Details like whether they have a job (or a boss) and how they pay for things are not important. It’s more about vibes, man.
While this lifestyle might seem new, it is part of a long tradition in American mythmaking. It's a 21st century blend of Jacksonian yeomanism, manifest destiny, and hippie libertarianism. The Van is an extension of the individual and their identity. It enables them to travel the thousands of roadways in this country. Each mile ordained by the Republic. All under the feel-goodness of self-reliance.
We are told that it is better to live in extreme modesty and be literally homeless than to have a guarantee of healthcare, food, and stable shelter. All because we believe we would need to sacrifice our freedom to have any of those guarantees.
I imagine that is how the rest of the world sees us too. Imagine the United States as a hightech super-vehicle. It can and will travel anywhere in the world. It has all the best entertainment systems installed, so we’re never bored and don’t feel the need to leave. Yes, we often park on people’s front lawns, but our state of the art security system prevents any pushback from the homeowner. We happily showcase our way of life and how great it is. Yet, we ignore pleas to see a doctor about our diet and drug use. The world is both concerned about us and concerned for us. After all, we are just living in a van.