That seems kind of cynical. I would certainly consider paying to be in a corporate created social apartment if the reviews were high and there was some guarante

That seems kind of cynical. I would certainly consider paying to be in a corporate created social apartment if the reviews were high and there was some guarantee of the managers dealing with problem people. Collectives (and meetups etc) happen because someone volunteers. When that volunteer disappears whatever they were organizing often disappears with it. Turning it into a business means someone can be hired to do the organizing when no one has the time / motivation to do it themselves. Volunteerism is great but most people have other things they need to do as well. Paying so someone can do those things full time seems like a win/win. Of course the details matter. I've been to a few "Spin" events and they needed more organization but at least at the time my impression was they were just starting and still finding out what worked and what was required. I guess I don't see how making it a commercial enterprise is bad by default.