Ted's thinking about intentional community after moving out

This was a session at the Shiny Green Acorn Festival.

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