Where are all the True Communes?

It seems like all of these 'Intentional Communities'
popping up across the country frequently require a fee to be a part of,
or at the very least almost always
(actually, I can't find more than one where this isn't true)
say you're on your own financially.

What's a broke hippie to do!
Their argument is...understandable...
but it just doesn't seem right.
What happened to helping a brother out? Sharing the path?
What's going on here!

<(^_^<)
Grouve on,
~Kharmi

 

keep lookin....

 

hehe,
ain't it the truth...

 

I'm trying to create one. The problem with communes, is the system they use doesn't work well enough to generate the income needed to survive. The successful ones just barely get by.

I have a system which will theoretically generate income as well as regular companies. In doing so, people then become a valuable resource. Something which once up and running, the commune would be willing to pay for.

Many people are worse than brook, many have outside debts, or moving expenses which they can't afford, etc.

The problem is it takes money to get this thing started. Actually though, people without money who are strongly interested, can help as well. People are what is important, not money. Money is a great big lie, useless paper trash, in reality. The problem, is people believe the stuff has value, and it is hard to get them away from that.

If I had 100 people with no money, who really wanted to start a commune, and were truly committed to it, we'd create a commune in a heartbeat. If I had 100 people with money, who were so-so about it, we'd have no commune.

A commune is a worker controlled company. It provides work for its people. That means, it can take poor people, and provide a good living for them. That means, a commune society with a system which truly works, can end world poverty.

Tony

 

Check out thefec.org
No fees to join, and all egalitarian, income sharing, with our own businesses. Set up a visit if you're interested in membershipping.

 

I think what you're looking for died in the 60's / 70's. Now, it's a cover your ass and cover all bases attitude. Yeah, it takes money to live, and I'm not trying to glorify the communes of the past, but the focus was on people then. It was more about a commonality of focus and or purpose.

There are some communities out there that have this spirit, but they seem to be rare. I hate the term "intentional community", and I hate what I see happening in most of them. You have, as Dr. Evil would say, "The diet coke of community". Actually, it's usually just a more liberal version of our society as a whole. Doing the same things in a "friendlier" way.

To borrow a line or two from Antpower, (No offense to you Ant, I just have a much different view of community) "I have a system which will theoretically generate income as well as regular companies. In doing so, people then become a valuable resource. Something which once up and running, the commune would be willing to pay for." A community isn't about the generation of income, or it wasn't in the past. People were inherently a valuable resource, working together toward a common purpose. It wasn't about what you can do for the group, it was about who you are, and your natural contribution. What's the purpose of most communities out there today? The purpose is to exist within the given framework instead of saying NO, I have a better way, and believe me...there is a much better way.

Ant also goes on to say, "A commune is a worker controlled company. It provides work for its people. That means, it can take poor people, and provide a good living for them." Is this what community is about? Sadly, I think this is an accurate view of what intentional communities have degenerated to.

I'm not trying to knock your dream down Ant, just expand upon it. Whatever community you find, make sure it has spirit and not just a well organized plan.

 

I think it's helpful to remember that the cost of attaining land has skyrocketted at an alarming rate in many parts of the US in the last few years. It just isn't as possible for people to get something going without massive amounts of capitol. There was a time when you get throw together $10,000 and get actual acreage. Now in alot of places it's like you need $100,000 just to get a few acres. Building costs,fuel,everything has just gone way way up, at a time when actual earning has gone down if you figure in the inflation. Maybe the US just isn't the place to be anymore. Of course ya can't afford to leave. That big wall uncle sam wants to be build is to keep you in as much as it is to keep some kind of "them" out.

 

Your concepts sound very interesting. I'd like to hear more about your idea.

 

Good point.

A college proffesor once told me that studies have found that fewer young people are entering agriculture because the cost of land is prohibitive. Well, that sure doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out!

Yet, that has been my greatest obstacle to purchasing acreage for my own organic vegetable and fruit farm that could also support a few draft animals and pets.

I'm now interested in communes for the "team" power........and for the "community" part of them. I realized that I need people and relationships with like-minded individuals.

Together, a few people could purchase land. Unfortunately, in the states it would have to be financed.

I did see a 90 acre organic farm in a south american country listed for 20 grand in a magazine. It was owned by a menonite family.

 

the problem with free communes is then no one has money for food and bills and what not. kind of hard to teach someone how to grow their own this late in the year. another thing is, if the concensus type council controls a commune, a person could essentially go in and build their self a good home to live in and the council could vote them out of the land and their home. thats why communities have rules/ideals to work with to give protection to all the people who put their blood and sweat into a venture. here is mine and if you look at the openings page you can see how a poor person can actually come in and live, but work is the key. with out that the land goes fallow and turns back into wild land. mike www.rainbowsendfarm.info

 

The point is it takes money to live - thats a basic fact. Here's another - you have to work for that.
There are plenty of communities out there that will help you find a way to be productive. But it is extremely selfish and against the spirit of community to expect a free ride without pulling your share of the load.
It isn't all drum circles under the stars - building and maintaining a community is real hard work - much more so than the conventional lifestyles.

 

That's pretty harsh of you.
I'm out working all day six days a week with four other people trying to support a sixty-member commune, and you think I'm looking for a free ride.
I think you missunderstood what I was saying... (-_-)

Have a grouvai day, though...

 

Well that was not the impression I got. If you do in fact work that hard, then you're doing more than your share and I owe you an apology.

I just have a problem with "hippies" who wanna sit around smoking pot and writing poetry while everyone else is working their butts off to feed them.

 

Ive lived in communities where the group as a whole would support someone who had no income or money. Mind you they worked for their stay. Everyone has some skillor can be taught.
They were usually given full time jobs within the community and were taken care of that way.

 

i think that communes are possible. its only in the willing i disagree that communes should have animals(in order ti eat them) its too cruel

 

huh?

 

hmmmmm...so you are a vegan then correct????