Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: A Glimps of Cohousing in 2060

[Tom Smyth (tom]

I sure hope and believe consensus decision making is not a fad. I think a
key part of our evolution as a species is to stop being so oppressive
toward everyone who isn't exactly like us. This is exactly what consensus
decision making is for, and it seems far more natural than its
alternatives. In the grand scheme of things I hope majority rule is the
passing fad.

The demographic profile is something that does need to change, at least
around here. Cohousing in Michigan seems to be extremely white. I honestly
am not really sure why this is. I have a few theories. Anybody have any
insight? What can we do to make it more diverse? Has this topic come up on
this list before?



On 17 December 2014 at 12:09, R Philip Dowds <rpdowds [at] comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> The scale and mix of shared amenities may differ considerably from one
> coho to the next.  Consensus decision-making may be a fad whose time will
> come and go.  The demographic profile morphs around, whether we want it to,
> or not.  But I would imagine that the inescapable characteristics of a
> viable, autonomous coho will include:
> Number of Households:  For a whole bunch of reasons, size matters.  We're
> pretty sure that three households is too small to be a coho, and three
> hundred is too large.  I am thinking 25 to 40 households is a good target.
> Which relates to ...
> Easy Walking Distance:  The entire coho needs to be within easy walking
> distance of the commons, and of itself.  Most people would agree that a
> couple of minutes is an "easy" walk; hardly anyone would live with a 20 or
> 30 minute walk.  Someplace between these extremes is a time and distance
> that works.  And that, like number of households will set the boundaries of
> the community.
>
> RPD
>
> > On Dec 17, 2014, at 11:42 AM, Sharon Villines <sharon [at] 
> > sharonvillines.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > On Dec 13, 2014, at 12:30 PM, Zev Paiss <Zev [at] abrahampaiss.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Have you ever wondered what cohousing will be like in say 2060?
> >
> > I think it will look like converted condos and apartment buildings, and
> neighborhoods with various features of cohousing. That has already started
> with many amenities in new condominiums. In addition to exercise rooms,
> shared office space, and party rooms, they are including things like music
> practice rooms, yoga and floor exercise rooms, conference rooms,
> theater-like rooms with very large screens, etc. Luxury condos have much
> more like smoking rooms, temperature controlled wine lockers, dog
> playgrounds, billiard rooms, etc.
> >
> > With all these spaces, interaction increases and a cohousing like
> atmosphere will develop.
> >
> > I found that in condos where I lived there was a culture like cohousing
> on each floor. I did know my neighbors and some got together regularly to
> watch TV or play cards. I think this is probably more common in apartments
> with long term residents, with singles, and with interior hallways.
> >
> > One apartment building I visited had a community room just outside the
> elevator. In addition to comfortable furniture, residents had various group
> activities set up on different floors-- one had a perpetual card table with
> puzzles. It also had a large room used for potlucks, bingo, lectures,
> dances, etc. And this was at least 20 years ago.
> >
> > Sharon
> > ----
> > Sharon Villines
> > Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> > http://www.takomavillage.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
>
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-- 
Tom Smyth

Worker-Owner, Sassafras Tech Collective
Specializing in innovative, usable tech for social change
sassafras.coop *·* @sassafrastech

Resident, Touchstone Cohousing
touchstonecohousing.org