I'm new to this list, but have been researching alternative communities for some time. As I explained on the "communism" thread, I believe the concept is perfect, but people are flawed. I have never seen an example where power and/or money weren't the goal of the leadership, no matter how they package it, and too many of the existing communes have either a facist dictatorship or a ruling junta. The concept of egalitarianism is great too, if you're just starting out, but what do you leave with, if and when you decide to leave, and what about going in with assets? The thought of handing over everything I've worked for is abhorrent to me on a very basic level and I can't conceive of any attraction to working solely for room and board then walking away with nothing. That said, does anyone have experience with any group where everyone chips in, either by working full-time at home (either chores or in a home-based business), or outside the home and contributing monetarily to the support of the group? Obviously, the hours put in cooking, cutting wood, etc... would have to have a dollar value for comparison and credit, but I feel that setting a basic level of contribution would be the fairest method. Additionally, everyone should build savings and anything earned over the basic contribution for housing, food and fuel would be personal money. You should at least be able to afford a bus ticket home to Mom and Dad (or the commune of your choice) if things don't work out. Living without indoor plumbing or electricity is an admirable goal, but a complete solar electric and hot water system, a well or developed spring for pressurized water and a composting toilet are all reasonable investments, especially when four or more people are sharing the initial cost. Yes, even individually they are expensive items, but I know from experience that you can coast after that initial investment. Finally, I love the idea of a straw bale house, but for cost, ease of building, overall insulation value and to get past the building inspector, I believe that structural insulated panels are a great way to go. Despite the ecological cost of the "plastic" insulation, a SIP house on a solid concrete foundation, covered with stucco and a strong metal roof should last 100+ years. Though I fully intend to live lightly on the land, I also expect to use the best quality, highest insulating and longest lasting materials to end up with a house where the TV and a computer can be used a few hours each night, there is enough light to read by, hot showers are available on demand and everyone is comfortable, well fed and clean. Call me crazy (and I'm sure some of you will), but I know the level I'm willing to live at and how much of an initial investment it will take to provide that. You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to your replies
Heya kit I answered much of that and about our own personal attempt on ladybirds community bldgs thread (#2 reply). You get the desire to peruse that info and link and are interested in questions and thoughts - have at it
kit22 you sound like you know what you want, now how you going to get there. I would love to have people like you interrested in our group. We came to the same realisation when first thinking about starting up a commune. we want hot showers and water to clean ourselves. we want some electricity to run a movie an a computer or to play music every once in a while. we also want to come out even or with a profit if it dosen't work out for us. that's in part why we are leaning towards a share based system. I buy in 20 shares and someone else only 2, well if things go bad and we sell, I get 20/22 of everything and the other person get's 2/22's. if there's profit or loss it's divided into the shares. The main problem we face seems to always be the same, we need money and people. sigh...
ya gotta look to the successes as to how they do it - they usually put it pretty much out front... Then your own ideas - well iffn you don't try them - who will. Somehow we've gotta be coming from the place of higher vision than just passively letting it happen to us - what Are we going to become?
No No - that's what we are now What hight we Be Our choice to Be Aim High Ah but then again why try, doomed to failure as we be.... victim role suits most of us just fine - why empower ourSelfs ?
I think if you're actually trying to achieve something you need a more authorative leadership structure. If you're just "existing" and trying to get along then a truly communal idealistic democracy works best.
What I've been part of and seen support that proposition - what I feel in my heart says to let it Be - That we can be brothers and sisters in spirit all working together naturally flowing - not that there will never be dramas - hah sometimes you gotta just be that which you dream - if it happens then it does - if not - ya learn always. Blessings to all along their Way
(the most important element in communal living is the people,for the commune will only make it if everyone is fairly compatible.a nucleus of 4 to 7 people is best and it is necessary that no member fells extremely hostile to any other members when the commune gets started .the idea that thing will work out later is pigswill.more communes have busted up overincompatibility than any other single factor.people of imilar intersts and political philosophiesshould live together.one speed freak can wreck almost any group.there are just too many day-to-day hassles involved living in a commune to not start off compatible in as many ways as possible.the ideal arrangement is for the people to have know each other before they move in together .)i borrowed this from abbie hoffman's book ...STEAL THIS BOOK ...i makes a whole lot of sense and instead of using speed freak you could insert also, control freak ,heavy drug user ,lazy bones,alcoholic ,etc.,etc........just like the girl who says that the relationship is bad but will be better after they are married ,the same goes for communes ...............not necessarily that everyone is a clone of each other but there has to be a consensus of where the commune is going and who does what and how the decision process is done beforehand .....the be in a commune just to drop out of society and not do anything is a sure way for it not to work ...........peace
