While some talk about redoing our culture, they often speak of less freedom rather than more. They would limit what resources we could use, where we could live, how we could live, and take us to more of a city environment where control is by the ones they choose to have it. The US is going through a big shift as to where it all should be in terms of the control. The argument is-- what is required in a changing world? What makes life better for more people? It goes a step beyond to debate-- what is more important-- the individual or the larger community?
What I like, and have for many years, is to see alternative ideas and especially owner built homes. In Oregon, I have a lot of books by people who built their own homes in very 'unconventional ways'. The problem is, to do this, you have to get beyond zoning and be able to do their own thing, often very organic. Closed cultures don't like that, and the places this can happen are dwindling-- even in rural areas. Controlled societies want structure and where people can live must be approved by zoning. We learned for instance that we could not live in our RV on our own farm property. To fix up what had been my parents' mobile home, where they lived on a hardship exemption until they both died. For us to fix it up, to live in it now, would require permits not always easy to get. And this is a rural county in Oregon.
There are, however, a few places where people can do their own thing. Some become Wild West but some, like communes, are very structured but the rules are made by the ones in the commune.
This California YouTube fascinated me for both the earth built home but also the communal approach to how to live and what to share. I don't know that I'd want to live in one, but it has always had an interest for me-- depending on how it was structured. I came across this because of my interest in tiny homes. It's worth your time to watch, I think, as whether one wants to live that way or not, sometimes there are ideas to incorporate. It is both artistic, natural, and about sharing in an organized way while still respecting the individual.
5 comments:
The video of living in a tiny home reminded me of Robert Colescott's home on Hummingbird Lane in Tucson. very interesting.
I never saw that but totally can see him wanting that kind of life
I’ve had some experience with communal living and it definitely takes a certain mentality. What you gain in communality you lose in diversity. The house is interesting but as the woman points out, although the materials are fairly inexpensive, the time and labour investment is very high. You really have to be dedicated to that lifestyle.
That's exactly it and years ago, I had that energy lol Not today.
Very interesting. It does not sit right with me for government to tell us how and where we can live on our own land. I understand the need within reason, but sometimes the government get overbearing with their regulations on this.
Thanks for sharing this!
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