Indeed, a microcosm of the liberal ideal. Perhaps we have to go through the commune movement again to cure people of it. This time though, it was on the news for all to see and learn from.
I have wondered about some kind of practical laboratory to permanently illustrate the failings of collectivism. I thought of walling off an area about ten miles square somewhere in the midwest or northern plains. Include all of the materials needed to build a working economic community. (raw materials and the means to develop them.) Then tell all of the OWS types, college professors and Hollywood types that we have decided to give them their Utopia.
Helicopter them in and allow them to make of it what they can. Whenever a hardcore commie pops up in society we drop them into "Utopia" for a few years and then see if they still want collectivism.
I realize this wouldn't meet Constitutional muster but it is an interesting concept.