I'll always have a very warm feeling to the idea of going off and living in a commune. But so much would depend on details. Every time I think of a possible downside to joining, I can imagine a way round it if the details were favourable.
In practice it would take a lot to coax me into making such a big change. Frankly my life's too good as it is - sure it's got its problems, but hey, I've got a partner who cares about me and enough money to stay sheltered and fed, my job is often uncomfortable but it's also pretty secure.
I was once in an "alternative community," which didn't work out very well, too many power struggles going on. It splintered into two groups, I found life a lot better after that because all the people I didn't like were in the other group, but we still had a few big economic and interpersonal problems that couldn't be solved, and eventually I left and got a job.
Couples tended to be viewed with suspicion, not surprisingly, it's natural enough for a couple to back each other up when the chips are down. And the couples felt threatened by the unattached individuals, again quite naturally, the sexual temptations can be very strong when you're living and working together. We weren't hippies, though we shared housing, and I think that makes the social thing more demanding. The need for space was respected, as long as the work wasn't compromised.
I sometimes envied the visitors, who didn't get the same expectations on them.
I think I'd like to at least live near your community, and drop by from time to time.
I don't know how it would work out with everybody being AS - sure there'd be a common interest which would be a binding force, but I suspect a "pure" group of Aspies might be better off with an enlightened NT or two around.
17 Oct 2008, 11:10 pm
