Easy Rider -- Chris Hansen
It is easy to see how the pair could have "blown it" on their trip to Mardi Gras. As rebels and nonconformists, they were determined to live a life free from restrictions and boundaries. However, as they travel, it becomes obvious that their entire future is based on the money being carried in the gas tank. Without it, they would be lost, while the whole point of the trip was to find themselves. Wyatt repeating that statement, that they "blew it", is simply him realizing the cold truth of survival in America. As Jack Nicholson's character puts it, "It's real hard to be free when you're bought and sold in the marketplace."
Billy's suggestion to retire in Florida reaffirms this idea, that the truth about freedom has finally dawned upon the pair. While there are hundreds of cliches to be said here, I think the most fitting is, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Clearly their trip for peace, love and freedom has been halted, and with nothing else to do, retirement seems like an enticing proposition. Ironically enough, this could be considered an extremely nonconformist action. Establishing oneself as a nonconformist, is, essentially, conforming to the identity of non conformism. Doing something that is not expected of a nonconformist (such as retiring to Florida) could be considered the epitome of non conformism. This idea is stated much more "eloquently" in an episode of South Park, where a punk/goth/emo kid agrees to join a dance group because "he is so nonconformist, he's going to conform." (South Park is considered a scholarly resource, correct?)
-Chris Hansen