Gideon Lichfield: I would like a badge.
Gideon Lichfield: Hi, I’m Gideon Lichfield.
Lauren Goode: And I’m Lauren Goode. And this is Have a Nice Future, a podcast about how terrifyingly fast everything is changing.
Gideon Lichfield: Each week we talk to someone with big, audacious, and sometimes unnerving ideas about the future, and we ask them how we can all prepare to live in it.
Lauren Goode: Our guest this week is Kristen Ghodsee, who heads the Department of Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She has written a new book, it’s called Everyday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life.
Kristen Ghodsee (audio clip): By studying communes, by looking at the ways in which people have always thought creatively and cooperatively about raising the next generation, we can learn something that is relevant to our lives today.
Gideon Lichfield: Lauren, I haven’t read Kristen’s book yet, but as I was listening to your conversation with her, I thought, I bet Lauren is saying to herself, “Gideon is just going to love this.”
Lauren Goode: I was thinking that actually, because in essence, the book is about communes. And ever since you joined WIRED, you’ve been pretty open about the fact that you have to split your time across the coasts, as a WIRED editor in chief often does. You live alone when you’re in New York. And then when you’re here in the Bay Area, you are in a … I mean, is it a commune? Would you call it a commune?
Gideon Lichfield: It’s a group house. It’s a community of a dozen people who live together. It’s a very Bay Area thing. It’s kind of almost a stereotype. But I have found it really, really fun. It’s just an amazingly interesting eclectic group of people who share common living space. And after years of living alone or with a partner, I didn’t think that I was ready to go back to living in a community until during the pandemic when I spent a lot of time bubbling with different groups of friends. And I discovered I really like living with people, and living with a large group has actually been incredibly enriching.
Lauren Goode: What’s your favorite part about it?
Gideon Lichfield: I think it’s that I come home at the end of a day, and even if I’ve had a bad day, there’s always somebody there to talk to. There’s usually somebody making food, and they’re usually having a conversation about something completely esoteric and utterly fascinating that I know nothing about, and I learn so many things.
Lauren Goode: So it turns out that both of us have had personal experiences living communally, which I talk a little bit about in my conversation with Kristen. So that is partly what drew me to her book because she has researched group-living situations that span thousands of years, some that are religious in nature, many that are secularized, some that feel like they could never happen in modern times, others that are actually quite modern. But I was also drawn to the book because I wanted to understand what it means for the future of family structures, since our podcast is about the future. And I was hoping to get a sense of how we can incorporate some of her learnings about communes into our everyday lives, since most of us can’t run off and join an actual commune.
Living in a commune or a group house is not a new concept. People have been living in communal setups for thousands of years, exploring creative and cooperative ways of raising the next generation. In her book, Everyday Utopia: What 2,000 Years of Wild Experiments Can Teach Us About the Good Life, Kristen Ghodsee explores the history and relevance of communes in our modern lives.
Gideon Lichfield and Lauren Goode discuss their personal experiences with communal living. Gideon shares how living in a group house in the Bay Area has been incredibly enriching for him. There’s always someone to talk to, and he’s constantly exposed to fascinating conversations. They both express their curiosity about the future of family structures and how communes can be incorporated into everyday life.
Communal living offers a unique perspective on social organization and the dynamics of human interaction. By studying communes, we can learn valuable lessons about cooperation, creativity, and child-rearing. Ghodsee’s research reveals the diverse range of communal setups, including religious and secular communities spanning centuries. Some may seem far-fetched for modern times, while others are more applicable to our current society.
However, not everyone can simply join an existing commune or community. Ghodsee’s book aims to provide insights into how we can incorporate the learnings from communes into our everyday lives. It offers a guide to reimagining family structures and finding ways to create a sense of community, even in individualistic societies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made people reassess their lifestyles and rethink the importance of social connection. The experience of lockdowns and isolation has shown many the value of human interaction. As Gideon discovered during the pandemic, living with a large group can provide a fulfilling and enriching experience.
The appeal of communal living lies in the support network it offers. It provides a sense of belonging and companionship. Even after a challenging day, coming home to a community of like-minded individuals can be a refreshing experience. The constant exchange of ideas and learning from others with different perspectives can broaden one’s horizons and ignite intellectual curiosity.
The concept of communes is not without its challenges, of course. It requires finding a compatible group of individuals with similar values and goals. The success of a commune depends on open-mindedness, effective communication, and a willingness to cooperate. However, the potential rewards of communal living can outweigh the difficulties, fostering personal growth and creating lasting connections.
Looking toward the future, the lessons learned from communes can inspire alternative family structures. Traditional family models are evolving, and people are exploring different ways of forming meaningful relationships and support systems. By embracing the communal spirit, individuals can build networks of support and create communities that go beyond traditional family boundaries.
Incorporating the principles of communal living into everyday life does not necessarily mean physically living in a commune. It can involve creating intentional communities or fostering stronger connections with neighbors and friends. It’s about prioritizing human connection and recognizing the benefits of shared experiences. By nurturing a sense of community, individuals can contribute to a more connected and fulfilling future.
Kristen Ghodsee’s book serves as a guide to understanding the history and potential of communes. It opens up conversations about the possibilities of communal living and encourages individuals to explore alternative ways of forming relationships and building support systems. By embracing the principles of cooperation, creativity, and shared responsibility, we can create a future that values human connection and fosters a sense of belonging for all.