Forum Post: Start communities that help and support each other and the community to be successful
Posted 10 years ago on May 28, 2013, 4:56 p.m. EST by Rollo
(60)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I imagine building a scientifically designed futuristic community with the primary design to be free of debt and dependence of outside resources(as much as possible). Where residents support and help each other and their community to be successful. Work as a team and share resources and efforts. Although not a new idea, it's one that requires more participants.
The community would provide for most of it's food, water, power, shelter, industry, business and other resources. It would be a direct democracy oriented community, respectful of individual rights and free from any cult or religious influences.
independent scientifically designed module homes could be constructed. Cost effective, efficient, extendable. The community could also start a business of designing and building future designed homes. The homes could be transported intermodally as a sea/rail/truck container anywhere in the world. Prefabricated home Units would extend out and be bolted down to a concrete pad i.e. a 48x8x10.5' intermodal container could extend out to a 48x24x10.5' home, a 20x8x8' size could extend out to a 20x16x8' room. Or connect two side by side or on top of adjacent unit (or many other possible dimensions). Design could incorporate add on capability. Add interior walls, an extra bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, solar panels, garage, extra insulation panels, windows, etc as necessary. To avoid bank debt, you could start small and add on extras as funds become available(for instance a single person may not want a full kitchen. For the first year a microwave/small frig and hot plate would suffice. After saving, they could install a modular 10x4x8' full kitchen unit newly integrated into an outside wall. An additional island unit could also be added later),. (have a new baby and add on a module bedroom/bathroom unit)
build community businesses that provide high quality community products/resources and can also be soldl to nearby population areas. This could produce substantial income. Grow and sell hydroponic/organic produce to restaurants, supermarkets, farmer's markets, etc. Install custom built solar, water collection units, etc.
the community businesses that brew beer, make cheeses, artisan breads, fish/shrimp farms etc could be very profitable and make the community good money and jobs from outside sales.
residents could participate in community businesses or work outside in nearby communities. Residents who contribute in producing resources would recieve points toward receiving free community products. Since living costs will be very low, most people will only have to work part time to make enough. This would allow more valuable time to share with family, friend and community.
it would also be an advantage to start a community where the elements aren't too harsh. i.e. mild climate, plentiful resources, water, lakes, ocean, low taxes, low govt restrictions, etc.
Removed from our present day society's corporate life, debt/wage slavery, unhealthy processed/GMO foods and corrupt govt. It could restore the community lifestyle today's world is missing. Helping to give people an improved low cost, self suffient alternative.
If anyone in Occupy is interested in starting up something like this, let me know
Yes. People must stop waiting for the establishment to make changes. We must realize we have the power to make historical changes, all by ourselves.
This reminds me of the story of baby elephants. When elephants are babies, their owners tie them to a post with a very heavy chain. No matter how hard they pull, the chain is just too strong to break free. They try and try, over and over again, but it is of no use, they are not strong enough.
When the elephant grows up to an adult, he is huge and powerful. Strangely a giant chain is no longer needed to bound him to the post, but only a thin rope. He could easily break the rope or uproot the post, but has lost all hope in becoming free. He is no longer confined by the rope. He is confined by his own beliefs.
Sadly, the 99% are like that giant elephant.
That was a great analogy. The people have enormous power
It's just a matter of convincing them the line can be parted
~Odin~
Excellent analogy. Almost leads into another analogy about a capitalist selling the rope to be used to hang themselves a day later.
I started www.occupynews.blogspot.com specifically so that occupy groups could instantly keep tabs on other occupy groups all over the U.S. and the world. It's free.
Good job
~Odin~
Great Website. Thanks DSR.
Thanks!
I looked at this but I am confused. I keep going to a santabarbara one, but it looks like an advertizement and it takes me to south african news?
Update, what is happening is when the renewal date for the site comes up, if the occupy site does not renew, (it's only 15 bucks or less) then the site gets sold at auction. I'm going to leave them up to show what happens when people only care about the now and not the future. I battle every year to keep my 25 sites running with no advertising revenue, how lame for SOME occupy groups to not have 15 bucks to renew their own sites.
The OccupyNews blog site is laden with links. Every Occupy RSS feed provides one or two links to their own blog or website. If a couple of links have gone bad, don't let that influence you too much.
do you have the finances necessary to undertake such as project ?
[Removed]
Been tried. Hippie communes of he 60s/70s. They failed.
What do you do with people who arent industrious?
"What do you do with people who aren't industrious?"
Hmmmm? Have them work on Wall Street and screw everyone who is working, or would like to work and earn a decent wage?
~Odin~
The White Nationalist community is already doing something along these lines in several places in the US. They have started to move to existing communities and provide assistance for other people with their beliefs to move to the communities. These communities are existing towns and areas where the White Nationalists try to become a majority, thus running the community as they see fit. These communities are called “Poor Little Europe”, or “PLE’s” for short.
I know of three PLE’s, but I think they’re a lot more.
You let them be.
Why do I get the feeling you're one of those people who are not industrious? Maybe I'm wrong. What are your ideas?
It is a serious question. If everyone were industrious, all this would be moot. Human nature isnt entirely pretty. There wouldnt be a need for the 10 Commandments if man did everything right.
I must have missed the part in this post where it said that this idea would be right for everybody. What I got from it was that it would be good for those who wanted an advanced, hi-tech community. Where resources and co-op community business could result in success and independence. All while instituting a direct democracy community.
I guess I missed the hippie connection. That was more like a bunch of stoned, unbathed, sexed up teens living in the same living quarters. The hippie commune thing was more primitive, not hi-tech or business oriented.
Advanced hi tech people don't need OWS. They already live in wealthy hi tech communities. Places like Marin County, Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Seattle, the Research Triangle.
I have been to all of those places you mentioned and yet have never seen a community such as in this post. Where are these hi-tech communities/ co-ops you are refering to in these places? I must have missed them.
My guess is the hi-tech design probably relates to space utilization, cost effectiveness, energy use and mass production. Not expensive designs.
How would you equalize the value of a geologist with a fry cook? An architect with a glass blower?
So how would a brain surgeon be part of a co op? Mass production NOW is best done by machines.
The future of manufacturing will not be in mass production by machines. It will be in micro-production in such small quantity or under such exacting custom requirements that the item to be produced can be made and has to be made locally near to the customers.
Automated technology has advanced so much that micro-production is well within reach of the median U.S. family.
A brain surgeon can be part of a co-op through tele-reality because the technology is already available to electronize/photonize and project the surgical skills worldwide and into the micro- and nano-world. All it takes now is for the costs of the technology to be driven down. We still need to think hard about how to deal with compensating the brain surgeon or unleashing massive unemployment (one way to think of it is to take it as massive leisure or free time as long as the old-time employees OWN the new means of production -- I no longer complain about being unemployed in walking to places if I can get there fast by car or by plane or unemployed in washing dishes if my automatic dishwasher can clean my dirty dishes for me).
Perhaps we can compensate the brain surgeon with computer files for items of production. All things are information and information combined with actions through mechanisms can achieve all things. Paradise on Earth is possible if we stop cyber-warfare and stop manipulating the means of exchange.