The Unit of Caring

Anonymous asked: you being part of the rationalist community makes too much sense, when i found that out it was like puzzle pieces clicking. anyway you're much better than most of them but you should be taking this as an insult

I live with six of my friends and a toddler in a group house that lets us save on rent so we can donate more money to charity. A little less than a mile from us is the community center, where many of my insecurely-housed friends have stayed cheaply or for free for extended periods of time, and where visitors from around the country can stay much cheaper than a hotel. It hosts events where members of our community talk about animal advocacy, clean meat development, biosecurity, and political change; before the election, lots of people got together there to discuss the ballot issues together so we could make informed choices on California’s notoriously endless ballots. Yesterday, my toddler was a co-host of a child-friendly coworking session there. 

Last week I found out that a different insecurely-housed friend of mine was suffering from an unexpected, unusual-for-the-Bay snap of cold weather. I posted to a community server that we should buy them a sleeping bag. Tons of people pitched in a total of nearly $400, with which we bought them a warm sleeping bag, thermal underwear, good boots, and other stuff that might help. A community member went to the store right away to get everything, and went to our friend to deliver them.

A couple of months ago, some community members who’d been victims of this abusive asshole in our community came forward with their stories. A committee of people who I trust and respect was formed to interview both parties and anyone that the parties recommended they talk to. When they had enough evidence to make determinations about the accusations in question, they banned him from the community center. At the same time, friends of mine worked to help the people who were financially dependent on him to get out from under him and get a lease on their own place. We’re now in the middle of figuring out how we failed to catch him sooner and what we’ll need to do better next time. The whole thing was horrible. I’m angry it happened, and I’m sad that some people mishandled it. But every person who worked to make it right was part of our community, too. 

On Sunday, twenty people gathered at my house to practice a choral arrangement of a song which a friend of mine translated from Russian. The song is called Beautiful Tomorrow. It’s gorgeous. I keep trying to find an online version and then remembering there won’t be one since it’s my friend’s work – but there are people who raised money for the choir to have the chance to record their best songs in a real studio, after which I will be able to link it so you can hear it. 

You’re damn right that I’m part of the rationalist community. I hope you have a community that does as much for your flourishing as my community does for mine. 

• 14 February 2019
• #Anonymous
• 190