Society

"We battle against three grand giants, my dear Sancho: injustice, fear, ignorance," an extraordinary and enlightening phrase taken from "Don Quixote de la Mancha" by Miguel de Cervantes. These three "giants" – injustice, fear, and ignorance – represent some of the deepest and persistent problems of our society. The first giant, injustice, manifests in a myriad of ways, from economic inequalities to political oppression, from racial discrimination to gender disparities. It's an insidious enemy that undermines the foundations of our society, fueling conflict and despair. To combat injustice, a continuous commitment towards fairness, transparency, and accountability is required. We are…

In a world in constant flux, traditions often act as an anchor, connecting us modern individuals to the richness of our cultural heritage. The Italian Alpine Club (CAI) now finds itself at the heart of an engaging debate: that surrounding the crucifixes atop our mountain summits.Recently, the CAI has voiced its intent to preserve the existing crosses, viewed as significant markers of a historical era, while advising against the installation of new symbols. This stance mirrors the challenge of balancing the importance of traditions with the demands of the present, where intercultural dialogue widens and environmental considerations take on an…

One of the most radical manifestations of freedom and nonconformity in hippy movements was the adoption of naturism and the challenge to sexual and gender taboos. These communities, aiming to shed social and cultural constraints, embraced an open and unrepressed expression of the body and sexuality. In theory, these practices aimed to create a climate of acceptance and liberation, where every individual could freely live and express their identity and desire.But utopia, as often happens, clashed with reality. Not all individuals felt comfortable with these practices, which could seem invasive or destabilizing. Power dynamics and social asymmetries didn't simply disappear…

One of the most distinctive characteristics of hippy communities was their emphasis on naturalness and self-sufficiency. Shifting the focus from commercial food industry to a more organic and sustainable approach, these communities committed to growing their own food and promoting a predominantly vegetarian diet. This vision was part of a broader movement towards a healthier, more ethical life, more in tune with nature.These practices certainly had numerous benefits. Organic farming and plant-based eating are notoriously advantageous for both health and the environment. Furthermore, growing their own food allowed communities to avoid artificial ingredients and the harmful production processes often associated…

Reimagining education was one of the fundamental goals of hippy communities. Rejecting traditional methods of schooling and child-rearing, they aspired to create a form of collective education that could free the next generation from the shackles of social conditioning. The idea was to allow children to grow and learn naturally, following their own rhythms and interests, free from the weight of discipline and expectations imposed by traditional educational structures.However, like many other hippy utopias, collective education had to grapple with practical realities and showed its set of challenges. This liberal approach to education often resulted in a lack of structure…

In common parlance, the image of flowers in the hair, of free love, and peaceful coexistence endures. The image of an era where social conventions, the institution of marriage, and monogamy were challenged in the name of love without chains, freed from social restrictions. This was another of the central ambitions of hippy communities, who sought to forge a new way of experiencing intimate relationships.Free love—the idea that each individual could freely share love and intimacy with others, without the obligation of exclusivity or a formalized marital structure—appeared as a liberating principle, a way to express affection and desire without…