The appeal of this kind of story

This is the kind of story that resonates with anyone who wishes to escape to a place where there is no overarching authority except your own. Where there is no responsibility to anyone but yourself.

I think we envy Dick Proenekke precisely because he did what we wish at times we could do. And I think this is normal and natural to want to leave behind the complications of life for one that is simple and unfettered with heavy responsibilities.

At the same time, we are social creatures. While for a time we can live with only our own thoughts, eventually we crave what is not available - another human being to converse with. This is why solitary confinement is such effective punishment (and torture). No matter how pristine and beautiful the surroundings, this needful aspect of human behavior rises to the top.

Dick must have been a very singular person to be able to spend most of 30 years in solitary living with only sporadic visits from others.

Still, from time to time, I wish I were him.