Abstract

This chapter examines how free communities emerge, self-regulate, and provide a close sense of connection for those that participate. By using my own experiences of being a part of many of these communities throughout my life, I show how they provide opportunities for individuals to find “their people” who share their values and desires to create, include, and experience freedom with one another. Their emergent nature, anarchical structure, and egalitarian self-regulation are discussed to demonstrate that groups and communities have the ability to exist and flourish without the need for bureaucratic oversight and domineering leadership. The chapter also takes a particular look at maker spaces, one of the common, contemporary forms of that these communities take and the importance that the spaces have and have had to innovation on a larger scale. The attitudes of members of the communities and spaces are discussed to show how using one’s freedom to do what they want instead of in service of wealth accumulation affects their individual well-being and that of their communities.