To me, this is a great framing for what working with AI to code is like. Personally I am enjoying using it, but I have lots of foundation to identify mistakes in code. I do get acceleration in writing but in the hands of junior we would end up with garbage.
Also, AI will let you write terrible code. This is important to note as the code that AI generates will be reflective of the developer working with it. Garbage in, garbage out is not solved by AI yet.
I think this is a very entitled approach, I bet you need very little to live in a small rural area, but the crazy thing is that not everyone can do that since by definition if would get more expensive for everyone to do that. We can't all live off the grid away from people, modern infrastructure just cannot support that.
I think if the approach was, be happy with less, then sure we can get on board. There is a massive difference in being able to afford more and choosing less, than being forced to have less.
I live in Canada, 2 hours from Toronto and a 1 bedroom apartment is CAD2300 per month. Working is not enough to afford that, you need to be somewhat affluent to afford rent and groceries. I think this idyllic idea of life is only possible outside of US/Canada/most of Europe.
I always think these kinds of mentalities are based on people who have never been in dire straits or financially insecure. Living a simple life is almost impossible, pursuing wealth is probably the only way to be secure in a simple life. Even if you FIRE, you need to pretty aggressively pursue wealth at the beginning to make it work.
Also, AI will let you write terrible code. This is important to note as the code that AI generates will be reflective of the developer working with it. Garbage in, garbage out is not solved by AI yet.