“I thought hippies have been trying to do this in their communes since the 60’s. Seems they always end up either leaving broke or starting some sort of business dependent on capitalism.”
An acquaintance started a commune in the 60’s. He came from money and financed it. He had many followers on the commune until he stopped funding it.
I can’t remember where I heard the analysis, but it was that communes tended to attract the educated elitist or the low level worker who either has little desire to work or barely the ability to work (addictions, mental illness, etc).
They lack the farmers, carpenters and skilled craftspeople that they actually need to run.