I'm glad you brought up the book, Waldo - that is a truly interesting account of this incredible community. Kat was special, and her life shows what can happen when one lives by their values. I have never been to Twin Oaks, or met her, though I know people who spent time there, and many others whose co-ops or practices are modeled on the ideals.

I read this after having lived in a co-op, part of the Couch collective, for several years - an invaluable experience, especially at nearly 50 and a fairly conventional life (thing oriented, plugged in). I wish others could spend a year or two living like this, looking more closely at what is needed, what's important! It may be true that the community experienced real difficulty in achieving its ideals, but what has been created is important - and 'man's reach must exceed his grasp.'

Reading her obituary, I love the description of the end of her life: she was taken into the heart of the Twin Oaks community, and cared for until her death. This is how it should be.

agreed, Bruce. we don't need more misogyny, thanks.

'easily offended'? nah. look, joel puts himself out there, and people respond. I like that he does so, truly. I like that he says 'fuck' and gives attitude (except when I don't agree, or when he's made it clear that he doesn't give a flying fuck what others think). I'm not interested in fisticuffs, but I am also not the only person who commented on his terminology in this case. I've been on the interwebs for something like 20 years now (ok, maybe not that long, but a very long time). to my mind, the idea of the interweb is mutual discourse, not a bully pulpit. if that was the case on boingboing, comments would have been disallowed.

you have no idea what my experiences have been, in fact. yours apparently have rendered you incapable of grace.

you know, dude... the other day you used sexist language to describe an all-purpose survival tool, and now this. would you kindly get your head out & demonstrate a bit more sensitivity? you're damaging your cred with certain demographics.

unfortunately, the end-of-world gadget for women is currently unavailable.