Ted's thinking about intentional community after moving out

''This was a session at the [[Shiny Green Acorn Festival]].'' == Participants == * [[Ted]] (convener) * [[Brandon]] * [[Shelley]] * [[Eric]] * [[Ben]] == Discussion == Daybreak * People who don't know how to get along think they want to learn how, so they move in together and it's just a mess * We did tons of conflict resolution process ... we were always in conflict about everything! * Architecture tried to embrace community over privacy ... lots of great ideas that didn't pan out * I can't imagine going back to that, but I do miss benefits like childcare ** Other families with kids had an easier time than we did (e.g. our kids' bedtime was too early for the community dinners) Founding difficulties * Moving is a trauma, and at Daybreak most people moved in all at the same time, most units filling in 2-3 months * The founders lost all of their life savings and don't live there anymore * The Chicago Bike Coop had a catch-22 in planning because at first we didn't know where it would be or who was in, and the one filters the other * People who put down deposits at Daybreak often had life changes while the place was under construction, and couldn't actually move in ** A time lag like this, at least 18 months, is inevitable with new ICs Why going back to IC is hard * Ted: I have a family and a new business and don't have extra time and energy for community ... maybe with a more established family and career I'd have more * Eric: I have that, but can't leave the area where I live A few of the many possible IC models * Lanark Ecovillage: One guy buys rural land * An apartment owner starts calling the place an IC * CampOma: The land is just a camp for people who live elsewhere