Page 13 - C.A.L.L. #36 - Summer 2013

KALEIDOSCOPE

only the 68’ haircut remains) has begun researching the fascinating topic “How much
Community does a human being need?” Now is it possible that Janel Healy of Twin Oaks
possesses some kind of telepathic affinity to Ludwig Weimer of KIG? The fact is that her
piece in Communities #152 - Fall 2011, carries a somewhat unusual caption that befits the
debate and provides as good an answer as you would expect from such an unusual
personality:

Balancing act: How much are you willing to share?

I think it’s safe to say that you are an your “unit” afloat financially. You may not
idealistic person. As a supporter of have much leeway in terms of choosing a
Communities, you’ve probably thought long job that fits in with your values, nor time
and hard about how to live a life that’s to volunteer or money to donate. But when
more just – and just better – and it looks your economic unit is say, 25 people
like you’ve come to the conclusion that (Acorn’s current population), the group has
living communally may be the answer. more resources, time, and skills to put
But how “communal” do you have to get towards endeavors its members believe in.
before you’re truly living according to the And when your economic unit is nearly
ideals of Right Livelihood? 100…well, take it from Twin Oaks – you can
Ask this question to someone who’s living in pool your resources so efficiently as to live
an income-sharing community, and the on about $5,000 per person per year.
answer may sound a bit extreme. At Those who are sick, elderly, or otherwise
neighbouring egalitarian communities Twin unable to fully pull their weight can be
Oaks and Acorn, located in rural central supported by the dozens of members who
Virginia, all the “big stuff” is cooperatively can, and the group has even more freedom
owned – from houses and cars to bank to decide how to invest its money, time,
accounts and businesses. For some of and resources positively.
these communes’ members, environmental However, even though income sharing can
concerns are motivation enough to share be a successful way to band together to
almost everything. Valerie, who’s been provide a secure and moral livelihood for a
living at Twin Oaks for two decades, group, it’s not easy. In fact, as a relatively
believes, “Anyone who wanted to be living new member, I must say that adjusting to
according to the Right Livelihood would life at Twin Oaks is still an ongoing
share cars. It’s much less of a footprint on challenge. It’s been difficult getting used
the earth.” For others, such as Tom from to having little financial autonomy. I feel
Twin Oaks, it’s all about the worker-owned frustrated that public possessions at Twin
business. “Income sharing itself is right Oaks can get trashed easily – people tend
livelihood,” he asserts. “We don’t have an to forget about the personal responsibility
ownership class, so we’re not working hard that comes with collective ownership. And
to make others rich. Here, workers are I can’t help but feel uneasy that folks who
managers – not just tools for producing aren’t working as efficiently as they could
capital.” be are getting the same amount of “labor
When it comes to supporting good causes, credits” as those who are.
income sharing is a testament to “power in I also sometimes find myself wondering
numbers.” If your economic unit is two what more I could be doing for the world.
people, your chief concern may be keeping Am I living as closely to the notion of

13