Either your home is too far from the mains transformer or the wires to your home are too thin. My home is about 70 feet away from the mains transformer (underground wires) and nothing causes any noticeable dimming.I know whenever the motor in our AC started up it drew enough current to dim the house lights.
I guess the guy with no money and no civilization does not have running water or sewer, no garbage pickup, no mail and no school buses. In the desert I wonder where is the water he is pumping?