Alternative communities to challenge your tiresome routines

[DieNacht]

1) Ladonia
Ladonia is a self-proclaimed country centered around sculptures created by the Swedish artist Lars Vilks on
the remote, rocky and forested beaches of the Kullen peninsula, to the north of Malmö and Copenhagen.
The sculptures, partly made of driftwood and concrete, are called Nimis and Arx and include "Wotan´s
Tower":
http://www.ladonia.net/nimis_arx/gallery1.html

The area is only accessible through some steep paths down to the coast from the Kullen hills via an old
restored swedish farm, Himmelstorpgården
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/51837786

It is possible to apply for citizenship and a nobility title. The country has a suitably up-to-date
administration system living up to the most modern advanced standards:
http://www.ladonia.net/docs/administration/index.html

For an overview:
http://www.ladonia.net/docs/history.html
http://www.ladonia.net/index.html

[Coopmv]

1) Ladonia
Ladonia is a self-proclaimed country centered around sculptures created by the Swedish artist Lars Vilks on
the remote, rocky and forested beaches of the Kullen peninsula, to the north of Malmö and Copenhagen.
The sculptures, partly made of driftwood and concrete, are called Nimis and Arx and include "Wotan´s
Tower":
http://www.ladonia.net/nimis_arx/gallery1.html

The area is only accessible through some steep paths down to the coast from the Kullen hills via an old
restored swedish farm, Himmelstorpgården
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/51837786

It is possible to apply for citizenship and a nobility title. The country has a suitably up-to-date
administration system living up to the most modern advanced standards:
http://www.ladonia.net/docs/administration/index.html

For an overview:
http://www.ladonia.net/docs/history.html
http://www.ladonia.net/index.html

Nice.  Most of us would like to get away from our intrusive government, especially the US ...

[DieNacht]

Nice.  Most of us would like to get away from our intrusive government, especially the US ...

if I may take the line as a point of departure:
as a Scandinavian, it is really striking how differencies in the dominant US thinking versus the dominant
Scandinavian thinking turns up so repeatedly on these international forums in discussions on society and
political matters. Since the early decades of the 20th century at least and the arrival of the Social Democrat
governments, we don´t in general consider the state apparatus as an intruder, but a resource for the
benefit for the common good. Of course, other views exist as well, and this is under heavy pressure
from globalization, the market forces and their spokesmen, but in general the free public health and
educational system is considered a must by everyone here, for example. Hence also the belief in an efficient
tax system and relatively high taxes. The apparatus of control is being discussed a lot naturally, the main
critique of it being that it deprives people of personal responsibility and that it is difficult to maintain
in international economical competetition, but if a Dark Lord of government is thought to exist in a
small country like mine (Denmark), it is rather the European Union and Brussels, so distant geographically
and democratically from here.

Another aspect, the repeated religious references and undercurrents in US public life are on the other
hand totally absent from our debate; religion lives a very discreet life here. The same applies to overt
patrotism, though such tendencies seem to be slowly growing, including their propagandistic aspects.

[Ten thumbs]

Whilst it is interesting that someone has been able to put the dream into practice, how many of us I wonder have invented their own country (or world) on paper and then written of events and people within it? This is a cheaper option and has the advantage that you are in control.

[DieNacht]

2) Federazione de Damanhur, Northern Italy

This is one of the larger examples of community-building, in Northern Italy. They seem to have gone to
extremes in a new-age inspired architectural palette, including monumental temple constructions dedicated
to humanity, various natural principles and the like

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-495538/Eighth-wonder-world-The-stunning-temples-secretly-carved-ground-paranormal-eccentric.html

but emphasize their innovative ecological living style and liberalism, calling themselves a "living laboratory for
experiments" and including business projects http://www.damanhur.org/index.php/about-us/economic-vision-a-credito

They have received UN awards. One can become a member on four various levels and does not have to live a
secluded sectarian life there

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Damanhur
http://www.damanhur.org/

A comprehensive travel guide has also been published:

http://books.google.dk/books?id=vINzA_qPYG0C&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=damanhur+guided+tours&source=bl&ots=d6R-km0aFJ&sig=-VFmR3RDtCiN6K6ZilFU4sIXUow&hl=da&ei=GvqfTom1ONLY4QSwh8jABA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=damanhur%20guided%20tours&f=false

http://www.olamidamanhur.com/

I don´t know enough of them yet to refer to any critique.

[Brian]

I like the pictures of Ladonian leaders.