This is true of most people; we all survive only because of the society around us. We'd all be hosed if everyone became commune hippies, but we'd also be hosed

This is true of most people; we all survive only because of the society around us. We'd all be hosed if everyone became commune hippies, but we'd also be hosed if everyone became a programmer or construction worker or truck driver. That said, the communes are now gone usually through their own dysfunction, abuse, unsustainable economies, and so on. People tried the life and didn't stick with it because it wasn't so great. There are a few though... mostly religious in some way. I'm not sure if the religion makes the deprivations more palatable, or the religion builds the community trust that either avoids or apologizes for whatever problems occur.