Hippie communities.

[nerdvincent]

I thought about it for a while.

What to think about "hippie communes"? Those are small squatting communes (about 20-30 people, up to 100) with a will to emancipate from society. "Natural drugs" are sometime legalized, people walk down the street (when there is one) naked, they grow their own vegtetables and produce their own electricity. Their day are filled with tie dying, music, meditation and art. There is a type 2 Volkswagen parked on the egde of the town with flower power symbols. They are peaceful people.

Now here is the questions:
Would you live in a place like this?
Should such place be allowed to exist?
How to make these town become a better place if possible?

[Jack]

Communes, not communities.

They were idealistic, Utopian and grossly misrepresented in the press of the 60s. Nudity wasn't necessarily common and drug use wasn't always a part of commune life. There were even religious communes.

It was a 60s thing, most no longer exist. Reality trumped idealism once again.

I would have lived in one back then. Now my attitudes have changed and I doubt I'd enjoy it as much.

They were important in that they encouraged people to consider self-sufficiency. They showed that you could have a town that provided its own infrastructure, not having to depend on the government for power or provisions.

[RealRockingham]

They should be allowed... people should be able to emancipate themselves from the mainstream society... most people choose to be a part of said society, but it should not be forced upon people

[grandpa]

Quote by: RealRockingham They should be allowed... people should be able to emancipate themselves from the mainstream society...

"Mainstream society" can often be misery.

Grandpa h.

[Gods_Mercenary]

Now here is the questions: Would you live in a place like this? Should such place be allowed to exist? How to make these town become a better place if possible?

Nope, all that Idealism would make me go on a rampage or something, and they'd chase me out of town while I pointed out the hypocrisy in their pacifism.
Unless we start living in a fascist state, they should be perfectly legal
I'm not sure about the last question, they don't really exist anymore, so the points moot.

[JaneDoe321]

I would live in a place like that. I think it would be important to find a commune (or community) where my goals/etc were similar to the rest of the folks, though. I don't think it's as simple as moving into any random suburban neighborhood or whatever apartment complex is near enough to my job, or what have you.

My only real concern is if you needed to rely on the police or emergency teams, there would need to be some kind of reciprocal agreement as if you're not paying taxes, etc. you're not really paying for those services and sometimes you *will* need them.

All in all, though, I think they are a good idea, not for everyone, but definitely a good option.

[Jack]

Here's a contemporary example:

Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania) is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (85 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Christiania has established semi-legal status as an independent community, but has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its open cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, measures for normalising the legal status of the community have led to conflicts, and negotiations are ongoing. Among many Christiania residents, the community is known as staden ('the town'), short for fristaden ('the freetown').

Freetown Christiania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christiania is the land of the settlers. It is the so far biggest opportunity to build up a society from scratch - while nevertheless still incorporating the remaining constructions. Own electricity plant, a bath-house, a giant athletics building, where all the seekers of peace could have their grand meditation - and yoga center. Halls where theater groups can feel at home. Buildings for the stoners who are too paranoid and weak to participate in the race...Yes for those who feel the beating of the pioneer heart there can be no doubt as to the purpose of Christiania.

CeeBee on Friendfeed

[nerdvincent]

See ya people! I'm moving to Denmark!

[The Thing121]

Lolz, u Tink U have Ritez u stupid Hippy> ppl Like you Make me ! Go away b4 i Mbraris u...

[The Thing121]

Lolz, u Tink U have Ritez u stupid Hippy.
ppl Like you Make me ! Go away b4 i Mbraris u...

[The Thing121]

I doubt that.

[Matt W]

This isn't a chat room. If you're not debating, don't post.

DO NOT RESPOND IN THIS THREAD TO THE PRECEDING MESSAGE. Please contact a member of the staff privately if you have any questions.

[Thanatos]

Quote by: The Thing121 Lolz, u Tink U have Ritez u stupid Hippy. ppl Like you Make me ! Go away b4 i Mbraris u...

Never mind this not being a chat room, this is definitely not the underside of a bridge and as such trolls are not welcome. Shoo!

Back on topic, it would be an interesting experience to live in one of these communities. I don't think I would want to do it for my whole life but a year would be cool. After that I think the naked old people might get to me.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: Thanatos Back on topic, it would be an interesting experience to live in one of these communities. I don't think I would want to do it for my whole life but a year would be cool. After that I think the naked old people might get to me.

That's what I think too.
You see, at 16, I'm kinda tired of society. I want to change the world, but nobody else wants to. The world is falling apart, and they dare to go back to their tv. .
I'm really really sick of occidental's culture empty notion of "good behaviour", "morality" and such. I'd take this exile as an experience, as holidays.

[HelioPrime]

Quote by: nerdvincent That's what I think too. You see, at 16, I'm kinda tired of society. I want to change the world, but nobody else wants to. The world is falling apart, and they dare to go back to their tv. . I'm really really sick of occidental's culture empty notion of "good behaviour", "morality" and such. I'd take this exile as an experience, as holidays.

I see that type of attitude as just the sort of problem facing the world today.

Instead of growing up and facing challenges you'd rather give up and run away. You think the world is ending? Why, because it's being run by old men stuck in a 19th century worldview? Well why not try putting yourself in a position to deal with that someday? I can bet you they are busy training and breeding replacements.

I'm certain this election season liberalism high is going to fade. Were going to see a resurgence of conservatives and hard line religious ideology. If you don't like it then stand and work for a position to fight it. Don't just run away to live in the hills and smoke pot.

[Jack]

I see that type of attitude as just the sort of problem facing the world today...Instead of growing up and facing challenges you'd rather give up and run away.

"The problem facing the world today" is that some people prefer not to live in the U.S.? There are many people who prefer their own country, or move to a country in which the would rather live. It happens all the time. When I moved from California to Idaho was I being disloyal to Cally? Was I running away?
No.
I wanted to live in Idaho. I didn't feel that I was leaving anything behind in California that was worth sticking around here for.
I can see where someone could prefer to live elsewhere. That's their choice. It is not incumbent on me to react to their decision.

[nerdvincent]

Quote by: HelioPrime I see that type of attitude as just the sort of problem facing the world today. Instead of growing up and facing challenges you'd rather give up and run away. You think the world is ending? Why, because it's being run by old men stuck in a 19th century worldview? Well why not try putting yourself in a position to deal with that someday? I can bet you they are busy training and breeding replacements. I'm certain this election season liberalism high is going to fade. Were going to see a resurgence of conservatives and hard line religious ideology. If you don't like it then stand and work for a position to fight it. Don't just run away to live in the hills and smoke pot.

Don't worry about that. What I meant wasn't sleep-and-pot exile, but rather a place where I can think about all the problems without stress and social pressure. Right now I'm working on a new communist manifesto (let's say that the 1848 version is getting outdated...) and a philosophy book. I think that it would be a nice place to think and write, kinda like Rousseau or Descartes.
But it is nice to see that you fear conservative ideas as much as I do. But how do you "fight for what you want"?

[Gods_Mercenary]

The world is falling apart, and they dare to go back to their tv. .

The world has been "falling apart" for as long as humans had the ability to self importantly think that their time on earth was the worst yet.

But how do you "fight for what you want"?

Contact your local gun runner?

[Walrus]

Sad, sad nostalgia ... idealism ... flower power ... love and peace orchestrated to the sound of Hueys on every television news broadcast.

It’s good to know that some communes are still going. I believe that Wavy Gravy and the Hog Farm are still hanging in.

We were stardust we were golden ... reaches for a copy of the Whole Earth Catalogue.