These communities are incredibly interesting to me. And I’m truly happy for the people which have found happiness there. That being said to succeed they can’t survive in isolation. Its success, in my opinion, will depend on how they integrate into the surrounding communities. This is what I believe the man in the video was referring to when he mentioned “it can’t be a cocoon”. Best of luck with this venture.
Beautifully encouraging! So many of us have been alienated from communal living and are understandably fearful of being in an unsafe environment around unsafe people. But there are countless examples of how successful community living can and has been for thousands of years. It's so wonderful to see any example of how this can be deeply beneficial on so many levels. Even if this particular community is young in it's development, look at how powerful the momentum already is. I especially appreciate how respectful and caring their responses have been to the comments that come from a fearful, jugmental and dissmissive place of habituated rejection towards something they understand so little about. Wishing your community immense prosperity, resilience, growth and connection!!!
Thank you for your beautiful words and your awareness my friend! To fight fear the solution must always be compassion and understanding. It’s hard but the only way forward ❤
1:00 I’ve loved Richard Sprengers work and this joke made me actually spit my coffee out. Love it when a reporter has a sense of humour, it always helps them to connect to their subjects and audience.
This is how I used to live 50 years ago when I was a hippie. I'd love to live this way again but chronic illness means I can't, unless I can find a city or town-based cooperative. Difficult to do in Tasmania.
So firstly my friend I send you a lot of compassion for the illness you are moving through. Secondly, I also hear you in regards to needing support individually for the illness. With that said, if some kind of balance could be found in Australia (being Ozzie myself I am also looking), do not underestimate the power of the land and nature in nourishing and helping with your healing even if that cooperative or town did not exist. 🙏
What an awesome place. Reminds me of my years spent doing Help Exchange in various rural communities. The people you connect with and the rewarding work is such an amazing experience, one to be grateful for.
The key issue is the fear of loss. In an urban environment you are afraid of losing your possessions, your time, your job, perhaps even your life. But at a place like Honeydew there is no fear of loss. That is why communities like this hardly translate into urban environments.
This is a very interesting take, thanks for sharing. I think fear of loss is an important topic to consider. I still want to believe that a model of community in urban environments can be made possible though 🙏
Powerful perspective friend! I like to think one day urban options are possible but for now, I definitely know for myself that I am much more healthy holistically outside of the urban environment anyway. ❤
There are collaborative communities in many urban areas throughout the world. Cohousing has been thriving in suburban areas in Denmark for over 50 years. What makes it harder in urban areas is mainly the price of land, and reluctance of local councils to change planning laws.
Thanks for this story. I’ve been interested for a while about the different ways to create these communities and ways to keep them going. Lots of common pitfalls for communes. There will be a lot of negative comments on this video, unfortunately. I can understand the judgmental wariness but I can also understand why these communities continue to be created in various but similar forms. Also, great editing choices out of what I’m sure was a lot of footage, especially the chickens scene.
Here's a practical explanation of my concerns: a community like this takes money to set up and money to keep going. Who provides the money? What do they get in return? Are the people who live in the community customers? What services and/or products are they paying for? Who decides what the price of those services/products? Whe decides what the services/products should be? Who writes the contract? Or: are the people who live their shareholders? If they leave, do they get paid for giving up their share? What happens if the money coming in isn't enough to cover what was agreed or contracted for? Who decides what is to be cut? Or: are the people living there employees? Are they paid money or in goods? Who decides which, and how much of either?
my experience from something similar is - that you are a little bit of everything, you work but you also get food. I did pay a small amount for overhead costs. Governance of this type of community is a very interesting question, but surely if a whole country can be democratic in some ways a small community can also be democratic?
The video says HoneyDew generates income from paying customers attending 'Wellness retreats'. They guy who set it up bought the property and apparently pays for maintenance. According to their website, it is financially self-sustaining. Everyone pays to stay there and be fed. If you volunteer for 5 hours a day you get a reduced rate, and if you want to stay longer than 3 months, you can apply to be a resident. It's unclear what rights residents have.
Guy interviewing is so obviously cynical in a friendly way. Typical British sarcasm. The essence of working together sustainably is what needs presenting if he has any interest in change...which he probably doesn't. The ceremonies will always look wacky and cultist to outsiders as does many church rituals were used to
So there definietly was a bit of this at first (as there would be for anyone like you said). But having spent the weekend with the reporter, his heart definitely did open and we are very excited to have him back soon! I very much enjoyed all of his presence.
I've been to many communities suicide a toddler, and there's something especial about this video. love the interaction with the community and how they last.
I can totally see why people would like to live like this, for me however living in a commune is an absolute nightmare. I had to live in shared apartments during my studies and I became good friends with my flatmates but I’m an introvert and I’m so immensely happy and grateful that I can afford to live in my own apartment these days without any roommates. I like to meet friends every other day but for the most part I love being alone and I need the silence. So sure, this might be great for some but definitely not for everyone.
I understand and sympathise with what you are saying as a fellow introvert myself, but at Honeydew many of us are actually introverts. There is no pressure to socially perform, you can be alone as much as you like and everyone has individual private living spaces. Not everyone in the community took part in this video or is in our public-facing content. So definitely consider that all is not what you think. We celebrate less of a centering of the self (more selfless care for others), not extroversion or social prowess. It is not a constant gathering and many people like to work alone and this is totally ok. I know I like this balance myself.
The reporter doesn't seem to have done much research on communes / intentional communities, which results in it all being a bit impressionistic, and superficial. One of the fundamental questions with these communities - which is a major factor in how they evolve - is how they are funded. Do the residents have to buy a unit there, do they rent from the founder, or what? This is related to another key question - democratic accountability. Who makes the big decisions, and how are they enforced? For example, if some residents don't pull their weight, if they only do a quarter of the work that others do, are there any consequences for them?
Great questions! Currently self-funded, as people live everywhere else. Many people have jobs. People only work a few hours per day so it's enjoyable and not really very taxing to do. Everyone helps and the jobs are shared and varied. Decisions are taken democratically as a group by the residents, at chaired meetings. We communicate about everything and resolve things always, as people do in every society, workplace or social setting. Think of it like a modern village, this is not a commune.
We may have had just that before someone decided to funnel money to a few individuals. This dream is depleting the longer people choose to put their money into cashless arms dealers (aka having saving or a mortgage with one of the best of the worst JP Morgan, HSBC, Barclays, NatWest)
I don't necessarily hate the idea of a commune like this, as I agree that a lot of problems have come from late stage capitalism. However if these are the types of people who I'd find at one of these, then count me out. Whatever goals the community has of accepting others and living free seem far outweighed by the spiritual, good vibes, naturalism of the individuals. It's not that hard to imagine someone not wanting to partake in whatever ritual someone wants everyone to do (like at 5:28) and causing an uproar within the community for "not fitting in".
This literally doesn't happen. We don't have rituals, we made a fun video with The Guardian. Many people here have no interest in spirituality or yoga, some others do. Most people just want to live more meaningfully and some still have regular jobs outside. Please be open-minded. People can do or not do whatever they wish. You are very welcome to come visit and see how it all actually works for yourself. :-)
So much cynicism from the reporter and in the comments. "Hey! Those people look much happier than me. How do I explain it away without facing myself? I know, they're weirdos. Phew! I feel better now. Now where did I put my Xanax?"
Powerful perspective my friend. This is a big part of the human condition that Honeydew aims to address! Lets hope we can move it from the comments into the world. I appreciate your words of awareness.
@bethanp3453 well my friend, there is really only one way to know for sure if the happiness is genuine or otherwise, as you are referring to, and that’s visiting to see for yourself. If you ever feel called the doors are open. I appreciate you. 🙏
While Honeydew is set in the beautiful rolling hills of Italy, it got me thinking: could this model work in urban city centers? I know it sounds a bit crazy given the hustle and density of city life, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s a way to adapt communal living for urban environments. Perhaps through better use of shared spaces, sustainable energy solutions, and technology? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this-how could we bring these concepts into our cities?
I would say that the issue in cities is the exorbitant real estate prices. Communal living is hard when you have to combine a full time job with communal organisation.
Beautiful question friend. There are many challenges to overcome but for me the biggest is the unhealthy use of technology in urban settings and how it impacts the body, from a health lens. If we can harmonise technology use in a better way, then I think it can be possible. 🙏
What concerns me is whether the decison-makers in such communities can answer Tony Benn's 5 essential questions of democracy satisfactorily. These are: “What power have you got?” “Where did you get it from?” “In whose interests do you use it?” “To whom are you accountable?” “How do we get rid of you?” If they can't, then these are not communities within which I would want to live.
Morning my friend and firstly I love these! So I can only speak for myself (but I feel I represent the whole leadership team accurately) and these are my answers below: “What power have you got”: I have the power to create, shift and transform within the community with “radical trust” as long as it benefits and meets the needs of the community overall. “Where did I get it from.”: I was born with this innate power and like others in the community it is honoured and nourished. “In whose interests do I use it.”: Firstly, I use it to expand my own creative desires and thus life force as “I” comes before “we”. Secondly, more deeply and more purposefully I use it for the community and the current communal need I am addressing. “To whom am I accountable.”: Firstly, myself as I have been given “radical trust” and must take responsibility for my actions. Secondly, to the needs and desires of the community. “How do we get rid of you.”: If my creative energy is not matching communal interests and desires then firstly I will take responsibility to leave myself. If I cannot see this for whatever reason, the larger community will assist in this transition and shift. Hope this answers. ❤
You asked the same questions I had. I’m old enough to remember communes from the 70’s. Some worked for a while but most failed and had some very dark self elected leaders. Unfortunately there will always be those who have a need to dominate, and make those bellow subordinates, enforcing their will on the weaker. I don’t think humans are really capable of living in peace. Lord of the flies is a example of how humans must dominate, I suppose one of the factors is the need to survive at all costs. The other is just pure psychopathy. It all looks rosy on the surface, but there are deeper issues hiding below. I mean we even fight with those we love deeply. Live your life being as self reliant as possible, limit your acquaintance’s, focus on what is important to your well being, love your family, and don’t be greedy or wasteful. Seek out the pleasures we have in nature forgoing the matrix that has been stealthily forced upon us. If you rely too much on others your are vulnerable and at risk of being chained. Resist the carrot of entanglements they put before you, and you can be reasonably free.
@@robwhite461 I totally agree with your comments about communes in the 1970s - that would be my fear if I lived in a community like Honeydew. And I agree if you rely too much on others you are vulnerable - but then if you are totally self-sufficient, you are lonely! It's hard to strike a happy medium. Also, I prefer to vote into power those who can make decsions that affect me, rather than to give power to decision-makers in any other way.
@@emmabyrne8928 Thanks for your reply - but I'm afraid I still don't understand. How is this project funded? Whether it's a village community project or a commune or a community, it still takes money to set up and money to keep going. Who provides the money? What do they get in return? Are the people who live in the village community project, customers? What services and/or products are they paying for? Who decides what the price of those services/products? Whe decides what the services/products should be? Who writes the contract? Or: are the people who live there shareholders? If they leave, do they get paid for giving up their share? Can they sell their share? What happens if the money coming in isn't enough to cover what was agreed or contracted for? Who decides what is to be cut? Or: are the people living there employees? Are they paid money or in goods? Who decides which, and how much of either?
Great that you are looking for more for humanity. But I want to say that Honeydew is *not* a commune, it is a cooperative, a community village model, networked across the world.
A fair assumption, but only truly possible because the cost of living outside of cities is more affordable. We have no wealth to speak of. Any money has gone into building and sharing this project with others. We couldn’t afford to stay in London. Property in the countryside, especially outside of the UK, in non-touristy locations, costs much less, food can be grown or bought more cheaply. Yet the quality of life is exceptionally high. It is all achievable if you want to make it happen for yourself and others. Our barriers are mostly only from ourselves.
I might have missed this but you say that Benjamin sold his London flat and moved to Italy and bought this building. How did that work with post-Brexit visa requirements? Does he only live there for 90 out of 180 days or has he got an EU passport. Genuinely interested about how this works moving to Italy from the UK.
@@Nonameforyoudangit Unfortunately this is not an option in Italy. If you’re a multi-millionaire, absurdly, you can easily buy your way into places like Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece… Not an option for young people like us! Luckily we had EU living/working rights.
Great question! Many British citizens are also EU citizens and able to live and work in EU countries like Italy freely. Sadly this is the right that so many British-only citizens lost overnight after Brexit. Hopefully one day soon we will also have Honeydew UK 🙏🇬🇧🍯
in order to purchase a property (with land) you can, if you register a business in the host country, then buy the landed property through the business [common practice in bulgaria recently]
Hi Harrison! For a few years lately, I've been feeling the need to be part of place like this. I hope eventually there's a place like this in Australia too. Any idea on how to build one?
Right! So all you need is to own a London apartment, sell that, get rich, buy a beautiful old hotel in Italy and start a anti-capitalist community. Got it!
@@Harrisonmeagher Thanks! I really hope that one day I become rich enough to become anti-capitalist too. So I can enjoy such a stunning location in Southern Europe without having to worry about things like a job and bills. Very inspiring!
I am truly sorry for your negative experiences. That sounds awful. We are applying a totally different democratic model here, focused on fighting the climate crisis, the social isolation crisis and building a more meaningful life and world for parents and families, with traditional family values at the heart of it. Absolutely no interest in anything like you have described.
Honeydew is inspired by the 70s but we are also wise to learn many of the errors of the 70s. Also to clarify, Honeydew is not a commune, it is an aspiring global village network of communities. Many people will have separate places to live but nearby each other, like in a village.
Hmmm....there are many critiques, obvious ones etc, but I'm, thinking how travelers/van life people could exploit this. Another is, if this is successful, how/who will prevent/manage the community growing to big - disrupting the real estate market and duplicating in central Italy what we see in Barcelona with overtourism / airbnb? This is also different / but also the same as silicon valley giants wanting to buy up land to build their very own society - regardless of their neighbors or who already occupies the land.
Great questions! It isn't a free-for-all community, so people can't just park up and stay. We review applications for visits and interview everyone as standard practice, like you would for any job or project. We are still very new and small as an organisation so our interactions with people interested in coming to visit or volunteer are very personal. We plan for small community villages, not enormous ones, so disrupting the real estate market and overtourism should not be an issue. We have a respectful philosophy with regards to the places we have chosen for our Honeydew communities and we are very much involved within the local areas and with local people and life there. This is very important to us.
According to their website you can pay to stay for a 'retreat' and if you like it you can become a volunteer (work for 4-5hrs a day) for reduced rate. Then after 3 months, you can apply to become a resident. But it's unclear what rights that gives you.
Why is the founder - and several of the residents - so keen to spread a honeydew franchise? That seems a bit cultish to me. Why do they think it is a superior model to the countless other communities in existence, many of which do not (as the founder mentions) live in a bubble.
The concern that these closed off communities could become cults - as that had been the reason 'commune-type' living organizations are established - is valid.
Your observation is absolutely valid. This organization easily could go sideways. That said, I'm interested in the idea of people choosing to create multi-family, open communities in cities and suburbs to address the housing / cost of living and 'disintegration of community' crises.
@@Nonameforyoudangit agree that this community unit model could absolutely be applied in cities. It would actually be revolutionary. Especially considering the financial malaise so many families who can’t afford to live in their own home towns are feeling. Housing problems can be better addressed by cooperatives. This has long been an answer historically. If everyone worked together more to imagine a better way of living rather than complain on their keyboards about new ideas being tried in practice (like Honeydew), we’d all be doing a lot better globally…
There's a tribe that lives in cave in Philippines, There's tribe in bandung that banned all electronics stuff, as long as they're not forced or violated, its good to go
This is not a commune, it is a global village network. It's modern living in the countryside with a community around you. People have private dwellings, we just share a vision for a village. You would be so welcome to come visit and check it out. We are currently in Italy and in two locations in Brazil :-)
There are smart phones, we just spend very little time on it. We have so much happening around that we don't feel the need to be on smartphone as often 😊
How many communes have an actual extended lifespan? All of the ones I've heard about end up flying apart at the seams - the wrong people try to take power, no social mechanism for controlling do-nothings and parasites. Nobody wants to do the hard jobs like cleaning the toilets(or not for long, because no respect from others). The only answer is a totalitarian government/ruling body, and violence to enforce the rules. The usual interpersonal interactions on a micro-scale that have caused communist nations to collapse into a pile of rubble.
It definitely is my friend, you are right. But one way to approach that “MORENESS” is being in a place of peace to allow for solutions to come through. 🙏
What I generally do not understand about these communities is: They do not offer a model for a technologically advanced society. They are using the products such a society invents and manufactures (with its cities and factories and universities and its general interconnectedness etc.). But they are not offering a way of living that allows a similar level of technological sophistication. So with all their relaxed peacefulness and whatever they remain inherently parasitic; as long as they are not going back to a lifestyle without any(!) industrial/scientific products, their claims of being a good example or whatever remain somewhat hypocritical.
@@ZenoGotWet Sure. But if you claim to have a role model for a better society you have to show how you could actually organise everything; not just a nice time around the fireplace.
@@jakobbauz We definitely do offer a model for a technologically advanced society. I invite you to come and see the answer for yourself. It will show you more than you see in one 13 minute film :-)
I'd love living in a permanent community such as this and I understand the need for some traveling visitors to as to the finances. However, what's missing from this clip is the cost of being a permanent resident, and visibility of much older members. Participation costs are what denies poor people from enjoying a place and lifestyle that's often much better than what they have now. What I think I'm seeing is individuals and families of financial stability enjoying a relaxing back to nature respite. Very nice, however not truly inclusive.
What are you rambling about? They’re living in the woods and trying to go off grid. Did you create any of the technology that you used to leave this dumb comment?
MOST people couldn't live like this. THAT BEING SAID, some people thrive under these conditions. Luckily, here in the USA, people are welcome to live like that. The only problem is that they want to force the rest of us to live as they think we should.
No fear is necessary. No one is forcing anyone to do anything, merely demonstrating a viable alternative option for consideration. People really need to relax their impulse to fear and judge others
First of all, the most tried and tested commune has historically been the blood ties and affinitive bonds of family. If you are not satisfied with that and set out to "deconstruct" your culture's manifestation of kinship, you are destined to fail in whatever experimental substitute you devise. Beyond the kinship level of families, whether extended or nuclear, voluntary or enforced communes never last long when they are based on secular-rationalist principles, which fail to address the core problems of humanity, like greed, individualism, and vanity. Think of the Amish, or Christian holy orders, or the Buddhist orders. Ask yourself why it is that the monastic orders in Russia survived 70 years of Soviet persecution and saw the demise of every kind of collectivist institution founded on secular-rationalist ideology; the social experiments come and go, flawed and ephemeral; but those communities that have endured for centuries and millennia were and remain founded on spiritual authority sourced in a supreme authority of an eternal and cosmic nature, not on contemporary and highly unstable conceptions founded on "humanism".
Navel gazing annoyance. I would expect that most of the people in this commune are from affluent families and that allows them to wander and experience without responsibility.
Just thought I’d pop over here and remind everyone that the guardian gave high marks to that awful Velma show. Sorry guardian don’t trust you since then.
Having Been involved in Family Communities since 1952... Golda M Started DayCare in Milwakee WI ... i was There, Real Forever Community is YHWH Y'SHUA THE MESSIAH
If seeking happiness and friendship is madness to you then let it be. The thankless rat race culture of the city, working to exist just “for the capitalist dollar”, as Richard jokes in the film, sounds more like a recipe for malaise and a threat to everyone’s mental health to me…
“we’re anticapitalist! that’s why i sold my apartment and bought a hotel on a billion acres of land and also recently put a yoga hall in it…what’s capitalism to do with that??” god save us
Very valuable point my friend. For me the best step to remedy those life conditions is to not only subtract my energy from it, thus creating less in that environment and now rather creating more of what I want to see in the world. 🙏
@@triggeredtv7346 People’s safety is of paramount importance. It has to be for Honeydew to be valid. Many of us are parents or aspiring parents. I would argue that it is in fact a lot less safe outside of small places where people with the same care about human and family values choose to live nearby. Cities for example. We care about safety, people and the future a lot. Leaving deliberately negative comments without having seen or experienced what are working to achieve says less about Honeydew and more about the commenter.
These communities are incredibly interesting to me. And I’m truly happy for the people which have found happiness there. That being said to succeed they can’t survive in isolation. Its success, in my opinion, will depend on how they integrate into the surrounding communities. This is what I believe the man in the video was referring to when he mentioned “it can’t be a cocoon”.
Best of luck with this venture.
You are spot on my friend! This is the NETWORK effect that is needed. It is in process!
@@Harrisonmeagher looking forward to see the results and best of luck.
Beautifully encouraging! So many of us have been alienated from communal living and are understandably fearful of being in an unsafe environment around unsafe people. But there are countless examples of how successful community living can and has been for thousands of years. It's so wonderful to see any example of how this can be deeply beneficial on so many levels. Even if this particular community is young in it's development, look at how powerful the momentum already is. I especially appreciate how respectful and caring their responses have been to the comments that come from a fearful, jugmental and dissmissive place of habituated rejection towards something they understand so little about. Wishing your community immense prosperity, resilience, growth and connection!!!
Thank you for your beautiful words and your awareness my friend! To fight fear the solution must always be compassion and understanding. It’s hard but the only way forward ❤
What is this "unsafe environment around unsafe people" you speak of?? What city do you live in??
1:00 I’ve loved Richard Sprengers work and this joke made me actually spit my coffee out. Love it when a reporter has a sense of humour, it always helps them to connect to their subjects and audience.
This is how I used to live 50 years ago when I was a hippie. I'd love to live this way again but chronic illness means I can't, unless I can find a city or town-based cooperative. Difficult to do in Tasmania.
So firstly my friend I send you a lot of compassion for the illness you are moving through. Secondly, I also hear you in regards to needing support individually for the illness. With that said, if some kind of balance could be found in Australia (being Ozzie myself I am also looking), do not underestimate the power of the land and nature in nourishing and helping with your healing even if that cooperative or town did not exist. 🙏
What an awesome place. Reminds me of my years spent doing Help Exchange in various rural communities. The people you connect with and the rewarding work is such an amazing experience, one to be grateful for.
Thank you for being here 💖
@@emmabyrne8928 thank YOU - you folks are inspiring!
That energy you speak of is very much here my friend! Thank you for bringing awareness to it and I am grateful for your years GIVING in this way. 🙏🥰
The key issue is the fear of loss. In an urban environment you are afraid of losing your possessions, your time, your job, perhaps even your life. But at a place like Honeydew there is no fear of loss. That is why communities like this hardly translate into urban environments.
This is a very interesting take, thanks for sharing. I think fear of loss is an important topic to consider. I still want to believe that a model of community in urban environments can be made possible though 🙏
Powerful perspective friend! I like to think one day urban options are possible but for now, I definitely know for myself that I am much more healthy holistically outside of the urban environment anyway. ❤
There are breakups and splits and hence loss in all groups and families tho.
There are collaborative communities in many urban areas throughout the world. Cohousing has been thriving in suburban areas in Denmark for over 50 years.
What makes it harder in urban areas is mainly the price of land, and reluctance of local councils to change planning laws.
Thanks for this story. I’ve been interested for a while about the different ways to create these communities and ways to keep them going. Lots of common pitfalls for communes. There will be a lot of negative comments on this video, unfortunately. I can understand the judgmental wariness but I can also understand why these communities continue to be created in various but similar forms. Also, great editing choices out of what I’m sure was a lot of footage, especially the chickens scene.
@@MikeAlger thanks for your beautiful perspective my friend! As the “chicken rangler” in the film I also found it hilarious ❤️
Here's a practical explanation of my concerns: a community like this takes money to set up and money to keep going. Who provides the money? What do they get in return? Are the people who live in the community customers? What services and/or products are they paying for? Who decides what the price of those services/products? Whe decides what the services/products should be? Who writes the contract? Or: are the people who live their shareholders? If they leave, do they get paid for giving up their share? What happens if the money coming in isn't enough to cover what was agreed or contracted for? Who decides what is to be cut? Or: are the people living there employees? Are they paid money or in goods? Who decides which, and how much of either?
my experience from something similar is - that you are a little bit of everything, you work but you also get food. I did pay a small amount for overhead costs. Governance of this type of community is a very interesting question, but surely if a whole country can be democratic in some ways a small community can also be democratic?
The video says HoneyDew generates income from paying customers attending 'Wellness retreats'. They guy who set it up bought the property and apparently pays for maintenance. According to their website, it is financially self-sustaining. Everyone pays to stay there and be fed. If you volunteer for 5 hours a day you get a reduced rate, and if you want to stay longer than 3 months, you can apply to be a resident. It's unclear what rights residents have.
Thank you for coming to visit us! ❤❤❤
And don't forget, the Earth is flat.
@@AnthonyMonaghan Who knows my friend! Definitely not me that's for sure haha. The more I learn the more I realise I do not know anything. 🙏
@@AnthonyMonaghan if there is one direction for your cynicism, sure. I like to think more globally…
Great doc. Your "time is an illusion" is indeed true. I just turned 60 and finally realized that truth!
@@HuplesCat excited for you friend! Whatever age it is a blessing 🙏
This is how imagine myself living in the second half on my life that has started now. Actively looking for community
Beautiful 💖
The door is open my friend if you ever feel called! Come as you are 🙏
Guy interviewing is so obviously cynical in a friendly way. Typical British sarcasm. The essence of working together sustainably is what needs presenting if he has any interest in change...which he probably doesn't. The ceremonies will always look wacky and cultist to outsiders as does many church rituals were used to
So there definietly was a bit of this at first (as there would be for anyone like you said). But having spent the weekend with the reporter, his heart definitely did open and we are very excited to have him back soon! I very much enjoyed all of his presence.
I've been to many communities suicide a toddler, and there's something especial about this video. love the interaction with the community and how they last.
What a beautiful life you have lived!
I can totally see why people would like to live like this, for me however living in a commune is an absolute nightmare. I had to live in shared apartments during my studies and I became good friends with my flatmates but I’m an introvert and I’m so immensely happy and grateful that I can afford to live in my own apartment these days without any roommates. I like to meet friends every other day but for the most part I love being alone and I need the silence. So sure, this might be great for some but definitely not for everyone.
I understand and sympathise with what you are saying as a fellow introvert myself, but at Honeydew many of us are actually introverts. There is no pressure to socially perform, you can be alone as much as you like and everyone has individual private living spaces. Not everyone in the community took part in this video or is in our public-facing content. So definitely consider that all is not what you think. We celebrate less of a centering of the self (more selfless care for others), not extroversion or social prowess. It is not a constant gathering and many people like to work alone and this is totally ok. I know I like this balance myself.
The reporter doesn't seem to have done much research on communes / intentional communities, which results in it all being a bit impressionistic, and superficial.
One of the fundamental questions with these communities - which is a major factor in how they evolve - is how they are funded. Do the residents have to buy a unit there, do they rent from the founder, or what? This is related to another key question - democratic accountability. Who makes the big decisions, and how are they enforced? For example, if some residents don't pull their weight, if they only do a quarter of the work that others do, are there any consequences for them?
Great questions! Currently self-funded, as people live everywhere else. Many people have jobs. People only work a few hours per day so it's enjoyable and not really very taxing to do. Everyone helps and the jobs are shared and varied. Decisions are taken democratically as a group by the residents, at chaired meetings. We communicate about everything and resolve things always, as people do in every society, workplace or social setting. Think of it like a modern village, this is not a commune.
We need this everywhere 🙏🌍🌱
Could not agree more my friend! ❤️
We may have had just that before someone decided to funnel money to a few individuals. This dream is depleting the longer people choose to put their money into cashless arms dealers (aka having saving or a mortgage with one of the best of the worst JP Morgan, HSBC, Barclays, NatWest)
Who's really interested into building or being part of communities like this in Australia?!
Lets get in touch!!
2:30 "I do a little of weeding"
I'd say you guys do A LOT of weeding.
@@Mateus01234 come visit and make your observation here my friend ❤️🙏
Yup - my thought as well! Personally, I hate weeding!
I don't necessarily hate the idea of a commune like this, as I agree that a lot of problems have come from late stage capitalism. However if these are the types of people who I'd find at one of these, then count me out. Whatever goals the community has of accepting others and living free seem far outweighed by the spiritual, good vibes, naturalism of the individuals. It's not that hard to imagine someone not wanting to partake in whatever ritual someone wants everyone to do (like at 5:28) and causing an uproar within the community for "not fitting in".
This literally doesn't happen. We don't have rituals, we made a fun video with The Guardian. Many people here have no interest in spirituality or yoga, some others do. Most people just want to live more meaningfully and some still have regular jobs outside. Please be open-minded. People can do or not do whatever they wish. You are very welcome to come visit and see how it all actually works for yourself. :-)
So much cynicism from the reporter and in the comments. "Hey! Those people look much happier than me. How do I explain it away without facing myself? I know, they're weirdos. Phew! I feel better now. Now where did I put my Xanax?"
Powerful perspective my friend. This is a big part of the human condition that Honeydew aims to address! Lets hope we can move it from the comments into the world. I appreciate your words of awareness.
@bethanp3453 well my friend, there is really only one way to know for sure if the happiness is genuine or otherwise, as you are referring to, and that’s visiting to see for yourself. If you ever feel called the doors are open. I appreciate you. 🙏
@bethanp3453 Personally i'm allergic to be addressed as "my friend" by complete strangers - so that would defintely put me off!
@@wonderwonder-xr2xqwell looks like we have a place to start. Progress already 💪
Communes and communal living has existed for many many decades. Nothing new, really, except much much better living conditions!
You are spot on friend! It’s time to bring it back into the mainstream now ❤
Correction: communal living in small villages has been the way most humans have lived for tens of thousands of years. Definitely nothing new!
While Honeydew is set in the beautiful rolling hills of Italy, it got me thinking: could this model work in urban city centers? I know it sounds a bit crazy given the hustle and density of city life, but I can’t help but wonder if there’s a way to adapt communal living for urban environments. Perhaps through better use of shared spaces, sustainable energy solutions, and technology?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this-how could we bring these concepts into our cities?
I would say that the issue in cities is the exorbitant real estate prices. Communal living is hard when you have to combine a full time job with communal organisation.
Beautiful question friend. There are many challenges to overcome but for me the biggest is the unhealthy use of technology in urban settings and how it impacts the body, from a health lens. If we can harmonise technology use in a better way, then I think it can be possible. 🙏
Yes. Look up 'urban housing cooperatives'.
What concerns me is whether the decison-makers in such communities can answer Tony Benn's 5 essential questions of democracy satisfactorily. These are:
“What power have you got?”
“Where did you get it from?”
“In whose interests do you use it?”
“To whom are you accountable?”
“How do we get rid of you?”
If they can't, then these are not communities within which I would want to live.
Morning my friend and firstly I love these! So I can only speak for myself (but I feel I represent the whole leadership team accurately) and these are my answers below:
“What power have you got”: I have the power to create, shift and transform within the community with “radical trust” as long as it benefits and meets the needs of the community overall.
“Where did I get it from.”: I was born with this innate power and like others in the community it is honoured and nourished.
“In whose interests do I use it.”: Firstly, I use it to expand my own creative desires and thus life force as “I” comes before “we”. Secondly, more deeply and more purposefully I use it for the community and the current communal need I am addressing.
“To whom am I accountable.”: Firstly, myself as I have been given “radical trust” and must take responsibility for my actions. Secondly, to the needs and desires of the community.
“How do we get rid of you.”: If my creative energy is not matching communal interests and desires then firstly I will take responsibility to leave myself. If I cannot see this for whatever reason, the larger community will assist in this transition and shift.
Hope this answers. ❤
You asked the same questions I had.
I’m old enough to remember communes from the 70’s. Some worked for a while but most failed and had some very dark self elected leaders.
Unfortunately there will always be those who have a need to dominate, and make those bellow subordinates, enforcing their will on the weaker.
I don’t think humans are really capable of living in peace.
Lord of the flies is a example of how humans must dominate, I suppose one of the factors is the need to survive at all costs. The other is just pure psychopathy.
It all looks rosy on the surface, but there are deeper issues hiding below.
I mean we even fight with those we love deeply.
Live your life being as self reliant as possible, limit your acquaintance’s, focus on what is important to your well being, love your family, and don’t be greedy or wasteful.
Seek out the pleasures we have in nature forgoing the matrix that has been stealthily forced upon us.
If you rely too much on others your are vulnerable and at risk of being chained.
Resist the carrot of entanglements they put before you, and you can be reasonably free.
@@robwhite461 I totally agree with your comments about communes in the 1970s - that would be my fear if I lived in a community like Honeydew. And I agree if you rely too much on others you are vulnerable - but then if you are totally self-sufficient, you are lonely! It's hard to strike a happy medium. Also, I prefer to vote into power those who can make decsions that affect me, rather than to give power to decision-makers in any other way.
ugh, I'd dislike living with such a judge
@@emmabyrne8928 Thanks for your reply - but I'm afraid I still don't understand. How is this project funded? Whether it's a village community project or a commune or a community, it still takes money to set up and money to keep going. Who provides the money? What do they get in return? Are the people who live in the village community project, customers? What services and/or products are they paying for? Who decides what the price of those services/products? Whe decides what the services/products should be? Who writes the contract? Or: are the people who live there shareholders? If they leave, do they get paid for giving up their share? Can they sell their share? What happens if the money coming in isn't enough to cover what was agreed or contracted for? Who decides what is to be cut? Or: are the people living there employees? Are they paid money or in goods? Who decides which, and how much of either?
This is truly inspiring!
Thank you for being here 💖
Now lets hear about community living that is wellcoming to neuro spicy folks and those who need to spend a lot of time by themselves to function
Absolutely welcome at Honeydew - always have been
Well, good for them! Hopefully it works out for this project
I want to join a commune like this, I definitely want to find something more than what the modern capitalist model offers humans.
@@Silversolstice548 it is open to all that feel the pull my friend! We can build something better together. ☺️
Great that you are looking for more for humanity. But I want to say that Honeydew is *not* a commune, it is a cooperative, a community village model, networked across the world.
@@emmabyrne8928 thanks for the clarification!
but he could probably sustain this way of life because he already build wealth (sold his London flat)
A fair assumption, but only truly possible because the cost of living outside of cities is more affordable. We have no wealth to speak of. Any money has gone into building and sharing this project with others. We couldn’t afford to stay in London. Property in the countryside, especially outside of the UK, in non-touristy locations, costs much less, food can be grown or bought more cheaply. Yet the quality of life is exceptionally high. It is all achievable if you want to make it happen for yourself and others. Our barriers are mostly only from ourselves.
I might have missed this but you say that Benjamin sold his London flat and moved to Italy and bought this building. How did that work with post-Brexit visa requirements? Does he only live there for 90 out of 180 days or has he got an EU passport. Genuinely interested about how this works moving to Italy from the UK.
Maybe there is some type of investment visa?
@@Nonameforyoudangit Unfortunately this is not an option in Italy. If you’re a multi-millionaire, absurdly, you can easily buy your way into places like Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece… Not an option for young people like us! Luckily we had EU living/working rights.
Great question! Many British citizens are also EU citizens and able to live and work in EU countries like Italy freely. Sadly this is the right that so many British-only citizens lost overnight after Brexit. Hopefully one day soon we will also have Honeydew UK 🙏🇬🇧🍯
in order to purchase a property (with land) you can, if you register a business in the host country, then buy the landed property through the business [common practice in bulgaria recently]
4 hour days are genius
Hi Harrison! For a few years lately, I've been feeling the need to be part of place like this. I hope eventually there's a place like this in Australia too. Any idea on how to build one?
Right! So all you need is to own a London apartment, sell that, get rich, buy a beautiful old hotel in Italy and start a anti-capitalist community. Got it!
Collaborate with other like minded people to share this dream and yes, you can do this to if you wish to.
@@ageoflove1980 this is one of many options to do this my friend! We hope it inspires you own unique way to come about 🙏
@@Harrisonmeagher Thanks! I really hope that one day I become rich enough to become anti-capitalist too. So I can enjoy such a stunning location in Southern Europe without having to worry about things like a job and bills. Very inspiring!
@@ageoflove1980 it’s ready when you are friend. Thanks for being here either way 🤲🙏
Mutual Aid is what the rest of us can do.
My experience of community living was creepy, it was a horrifying cult, honestly. And unfortunately. I left. Quickly.
I am truly sorry for your negative experiences. That sounds awful. We are applying a totally different democratic model here, focused on fighting the climate crisis, the social isolation crisis and building a more meaningful life and world for parents and families, with traditional family values at the heart of it. Absolutely no interest in anything like you have described.
We tried it in the 70’s , worked for awhile but there’s always a couple who ruin it.
Honeydew is inspired by the 70s but we are also wise to learn many of the errors of the 70s. Also to clarify, Honeydew is not a commune, it is an aspiring global village network of communities. Many people will have separate places to live but nearby each other, like in a village.
Hmmm....there are many critiques, obvious ones etc, but I'm, thinking how travelers/van life people could exploit this. Another is, if this is successful, how/who will prevent/manage the community growing to big - disrupting the real estate market and duplicating in central Italy what we see in Barcelona with overtourism / airbnb?
This is also different / but also the same as silicon valley giants wanting to buy up land to build their very own society - regardless of their neighbors or who already occupies the land.
Great questions! It isn't a free-for-all community, so people can't just park up and stay. We review applications for visits and interview everyone as standard practice, like you would for any job or project. We are still very new and small as an organisation so our interactions with people interested in coming to visit or volunteer are very personal. We plan for small community villages, not enormous ones, so disrupting the real estate market and overtourism should not be an issue. We have a respectful philosophy with regards to the places we have chosen for our Honeydew communities and we are very much involved within the local areas and with local people and life there. This is very important to us.
Namaste 🙏🏾
Namaste 🙏
So, how does this work? People book a weekend/week/fortnight and if the people already living there like them they can stay forever?
According to their website you can pay to stay for a 'retreat' and if you like it you can become a volunteer (work for 4-5hrs a day) for reduced rate. Then after 3 months, you can apply to become a resident. But it's unclear what rights that gives you.
@@lyrebird9749 I forgot all about this lol, yeah sounds iffy to me, appreciate your reply.
7:19 oh look suddenly a red herring chicken escaped!
@@lesliespeaker668 totally random and totally hilarious 🤣
Maybe work the water sourcing before the Yoga room.
Why? We have regular modern taps, showers, toilets, all with excellent clean running water... ?
ONly for the feckless lazy rich!
Neverending options to go off the deep end. Welcome to America.
Who is in America, you?
Do not join a cult....EVER!
Why is the founder - and several of the residents - so keen to spread a honeydew franchise? That seems a bit cultish to me. Why do they think it is a superior model to the countless other communities in existence, many of which do not (as the founder mentions) live in a bubble.
The concern that these closed off communities could become cults - as that had been the reason 'commune-type' living organizations are established - is valid.
Your observation is absolutely valid. This organization easily could go sideways. That said, I'm interested in the idea of people choosing to create multi-family, open communities in cities and suburbs to address the housing / cost of living and 'disintegration of community' crises.
@@Nonameforyoudangit agree that this community unit model could absolutely be applied in cities. It would actually be revolutionary. Especially considering the financial malaise so many families who can’t afford to live in their own home towns are feeling. Housing problems can be better addressed by cooperatives. This has long been an answer historically. If everyone worked together more to imagine a better way of living rather than complain on their keyboards about new ideas being tried in practice (like Honeydew), we’d all be doing a lot better globally…
There's a tribe that lives in cave in Philippines, There's tribe in bandung that banned all electronics stuff, as long as they're not forced or violated, its good to go
@@supriyantoutomo-ei1rn I love this!
Just stop spraying the skies
Can't tell if this is documentary or parody. Don't get me wrong, I understand the basic urge to escape the bullshit.
How does it work regarding EU residency?
Depends on your personal EU residency status.
I'm ready to go, who wants to join me? 🙂
Come as you are friend! You will love it I am sure 🙏
Looking forward to meeting you @Andreiter 💖
I always wanted to live in a commune, but I was always afraid that it was just going to turn into some weird Cult😂..
This is not a commune, it is a global village network. It's modern living in the countryside with a community around you. People have private dwellings, we just share a vision for a village. You would be so welcome to come visit and check it out. We are currently in Italy and in two locations in Brazil :-)
@emmabyrne8928 sounds awesome
My god I thought this was a mockumentary..
There are no smart phones 😊 I love it
There are smart phones, we just spend very little time on it. We have so much happening around that we don't feel the need to be on smartphone as often 😊
No?
How many communes have an actual extended lifespan?
All of the ones I've heard about end up flying apart at the seams - the wrong people try to take power, no social mechanism for controlling do-nothings and parasites. Nobody wants to do the hard jobs like cleaning the toilets(or not for long, because no respect from others). The only answer is a totalitarian government/ruling body, and violence to enforce the rules.
The usual interpersonal interactions on a micro-scale that have caused communist nations to collapse into a pile of rubble.
Not a commune
Yes
@@johnpine9945 thanks for being here 🙏
yes it is.
You didn't even see the whole video.
It certainly is not. Go and see it for yourself before commenting your cynical nonsense
This feels a lil culty not going to lie lol
Not for me. Humanity is much more than living well and peacefully
It definitely is my friend, you are right. But one way to approach that “MORENESS” is being in a place of peace to allow for solutions to come through. 🙏
What I generally do not understand about these communities is: They do not offer a model for a technologically advanced society. They are using the products such a society invents and manufactures (with its cities and factories and universities and its general interconnectedness etc.). But they are not offering a way of living that allows a similar level of technological sophistication. So with all their relaxed peacefulness and whatever they remain inherently parasitic; as long as they are not going back to a lifestyle without any(!) industrial/scientific products, their claims of being a good example or whatever remain somewhat hypocritical.
Every human in every society has taken what is there and worked with it . They are doing just that.
@@ZenoGotWet Sure. But if you claim to have a role model for a better society you have to show how you could actually organise everything; not just a nice time around the fireplace.
@@jakobbauz We definitely do offer a model for a technologically advanced society. I invite you to come and see the answer for yourself. It will show you more than you see in one 13 minute film :-)
I'd love living in a permanent community such as this and I understand the need for some traveling visitors to as to the finances. However, what's missing from this clip is the cost of being a permanent resident, and visibility of much older members. Participation costs are what denies poor people from enjoying a place and lifestyle that's often much better than what they have now. What I think I'm seeing is individuals and families of financial stability enjoying a relaxing back to nature respite. Very nice, however not truly inclusive.
What are you rambling about? They’re living in the woods and trying to go off grid.
Did you create any of the technology that you used to leave this dumb comment?
MOST people couldn't live like this. THAT BEING SAID, some people thrive under these conditions. Luckily, here in the USA, people are welcome to live like that. The only problem is that they want to force the rest of us to live as they think we should.
The key will always be free choice and following what is best for you and the individual. Well said my friend 👌
No fear is necessary. No one is forcing anyone to do anything, merely demonstrating a viable alternative option for consideration. People really need to relax their impulse to fear and judge others
They aren't forcing anyone bucko relax. Overreacting for no reason 😂😂😂😂
@@emmabyrne8928💯💯💯
They don't last unless they are abusive.
@@simontemplar404 true in some instances but let’s see if we can break this model! Thanks for being here either way 🙏💪
Villa are an Alfa 😊
This could end badly. Good luck to them though. Also, vaccinate the kids please.
I just think everyone would hate me.....I hate this guy and im not there lol
taking the piss
First of all, the most tried and tested commune has historically been the blood ties and affinitive bonds of family. If you are not satisfied with that and set out to "deconstruct" your culture's manifestation of kinship, you are destined to fail in whatever experimental substitute you devise. Beyond the kinship level of families, whether extended or nuclear, voluntary or enforced communes never last long when they are based on secular-rationalist principles, which fail to address the core problems of humanity, like greed, individualism, and vanity. Think of the Amish, or Christian holy orders, or the Buddhist orders. Ask yourself why it is that the monastic orders in Russia survived 70 years of Soviet persecution and saw the demise of every kind of collectivist institution founded on secular-rationalist ideology; the social experiments come and go, flawed and ephemeral; but those communities that have endured for centuries and millennia were and remain founded on spiritual authority sourced in a supreme authority of an eternal and cosmic nature, not on contemporary and highly unstable conceptions founded on "humanism".
The Truth is Y'SHUA THE MESSIAH, Kibbutz, Ancient way is Best
Navel gazing annoyance. I would expect that most of the people in this commune are from affluent families and that allows them to wander and experience without responsibility.
You imagine incorrectly
Definitely not the case for me and many others. You are powerful my friend and can create the reality you want. I appreciate you. 🙏
Just thought I’d pop over here and remind everyone that the guardian gave high marks to that awful Velma show. Sorry guardian don’t trust you since then.
🤣
commune or communism?
Literally neither
Used to be called hippies
@@paulhmull still a lot of hippoes here with us plus ALL sorts of other people. That’s what makes it wonderful friend. 🙏
Having Been involved in Family Communities since 1952...
Golda M Started DayCare in Milwakee WI ... i was There,
Real Forever Community is YHWH Y'SHUA THE MESSIAH
more like a new age mental institution
If seeking happiness and friendship is madness to you then let it be. The thankless rat race culture of the city, working to exist just “for the capitalist dollar”, as Richard jokes in the film, sounds more like a recipe for malaise and a threat to everyone’s mental health to me…
“we’re anticapitalist! that’s why i sold my apartment and bought a hotel on a billion acres of land and also recently put a yoga hall in it…what’s capitalism to do with that??” god save us
Escaping from the life conditions that you contribute too? Hhhmmm...
Very valuable point my friend. For me the best step to remedy those life conditions is to not only subtract my energy from it, thus creating less in that environment and now rather creating more of what I want to see in the world. 🙏
@@Harrisonmeagher separation from the parts of humanity...and ourselves that we don't like is the biggest separation but enjoy Friend. ❤️
@@simplycece9160 very true! And this can be handled anywhere 💗
Hope those folk hanging about other folks kids are safe!!!!
Looks unsafe
Very safe and nurturing my friend! They love it ❤
@@triggeredtv7346 People’s safety is of paramount importance. It has to be for Honeydew to be valid. Many of us are parents or aspiring parents. I would argue that it is in fact a lot less safe outside of small places where people with the same care about human and family values choose to live nearby. Cities for example. We care about safety, people and the future a lot. Leaving deliberately negative comments without having seen or experienced what are working to achieve says less about Honeydew and more about the commenter.
Delusional people 👍
In what sense? We are very engaged in the world around us
A hippie conmune....
@@philliprickard5280 open to all my friend, no matter what you identify as. 🙏
No!
Thank you for your valuable contribution. I hope you learn to be less fearful and find happiness.
what a fk nightmare
🎉
I invite you to actually visit to prove to yourself how wrong you are here. It may just melt your cold, cynical heart 🫶😊♥️
If you ask if something is a cult, it is.
Im not loosening my hips for anyone
@@GeorginaJett not needed my friend, come as you are 🙏
What a scoop!
Geez, you should just delete the channel at this point.
I don’t know…What happens after dark on bed ? Too much beautiful ladies
You mean, too many men without self control?
Perv 😡
Strange comment. I think you may have missed the ethos of this project
Venereal disease.
Scum Starmer would want this
Sounds like you might be interested too as you watched the video 😀