It's the end of California as we know it

California's whole way of life is built on a series of myths - endless space, endless fuel, endless water, endless optimism. One by one, those myths are bursting into flames.

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I have lived nearly all my life in California, and my love for this place and its people runs deep and true.

There have been many times in the past few years when I've called myself a California nationalist: Sure, America seemed to be going crazy, but at least I lived in the Golden State, where things were still pretty chill. But lately, my affinity for my home state has soured.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 01, 2019, with the headline It's the end of California as we know it. Subscribe