keenan_twinoaks

Our egalitarian ethics means we want to keep everyone on the same economic level. So, essentially, no you cannot earn outside income. There are exceptions like earning income off-farm in your free time for vacations.

How are disputes resolved - that's a tough one, we all live together and we have a lot of disputes. Mainly informally, but we do have teams of mediators and facilitators to help people work through issues.

Yes. If they are longer than just short-term they are expected to contribute to the community.

A jealous ex-lover was ejected after they threatened another member's life.

We have businesses that produce income - we produce commercial grade tofu, hammocks, and heritage and heirloom seed packaging, all on our 500 acres.

We collectively decide on the annual budget, and then area managers are given a yearly budget.

Yes, WIFI in every building!

There is a long budgeting process, and everyone who wants to can be involved.

Living closely with people is hard. People are often accurate mirrors for our strengths, and also our weaknesses. It can be not fun to have one's weaknesses reflected back.

Other people leave messes. It gets wearing after awhile.

One hard thing is relationship break-ups, when you see the person you broke up with everyday, and you see them be happy with someone else.

Honestly the main thing people do is hang out with each-other in small groups. We linger over meals because we enjoy each-others company.

We are all responsible for creating our culture, and almost everyone creates some kind of social gathering. There are lots of quirky, interesting and unusual social events, like for instance sitting outside watching old junior high documentaries on the side of a building with a projector.

There are often parties. Folks like boardgames here. People have DnD groups several times a week. Some people play MarioKart Smashbros or watch movies.

In the summer, people swim in the pond. In the winter, we hang out in the sauna. Year-round walks in the woods.

Lots of folks do art and crafts. We also offer yoga and dance every week.

Friday nights there is a free ride into the nearby city to go to concerts or bars.

Sometimes we have large group excursions off-farm to go hiking or something.

New people have a hard time getting their work done because there is so much social distraction and things to do.

Yes, we have swung some local elections!