The Longing for Community

Many people in the modern world yearn for more community, for something to belong to and work for that is bigger than just me, myself, and I. And sometimes we look back with envy at life in the good old days with strong and clear belonging.

At the same time, we do not want to give up our individual freedom. So we dream of a new type of community. A community that we ourselves have made an active and conscious choice to be a part of. But what is it that actually holds a community together? Is it possible to combine free will with strong belonging?

Magnus Skånberg from Sweden has been interested in belonging, community and group dynamics for decades. He has started one of Sweden's largest housing communities, held courses in group dynamics and is currently working with cohousing projects to support rural development. His book, Modern Confusion, explores – among other things – the challenges and paradoxes of will versus community in our modern society. Link to the book Den moderna vilsenheten (The Modern Feeling of Being Lost) in Swedish.