Bolo'bolo

Bolo'bolo is a 1983 work by Swiss author P.M. that presents a vision for reorganizing human society. The text takes the form of a dictionary of invented terms that describe components of a proposed social system. The central concept is the "bolo" - a self-sufficient community of around 500 individuals ("ibus") that operates outside capitalist and state structures. These communities connect into networks and handle their own food production, culture, hospitality systems, and economic exchanges through gift-giving and barter. The book begins with an analysis of human civilization's development from nomadic tribes through industrialization, examining how power structures and what P.M. calls the "Planetary Work Machine" came to dominate society. This framework sets up the author's proposal for an alternative way of organizing human communities. The work fits into traditions of anarchist and utopian political philosophy, presenting a practical blueprint for revolution while leaving space for varied interpretations of how its systems might function in practice. Its ideas about small-scale, interconnected communities continue to influence discussions about alternatives to state and market systems.

Readers describe bolo'bolo as an imaginative anarchist utopian vision that mixes serious proposals with playful and absurdist elements. The book has limited reviews online due to being out of print. Readers appreciated: - Creative made-up language and terminology - Balance of practical ideas with whimsy - Detailed logistics of how communities could function - Non-dogmatic approach to anarchist theory Common criticisms: - Writing style can be confusing and hard to follow - Some proposals seem unrealistic or naive - Made-up words make core concepts unclear - Too focused on theory vs implementation Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) One reader noted: "Fascinating mix of serious anarchist theory and playful absurdism that shouldn't work but somehow does." Another wrote: "The invented vocabulary adds an unnecessary layer of complexity to already challenging concepts."

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🌟 The book was originally written in German and published in Zurich, where the author was part of an alternative cultural movement. 🌟 "Bolo'bolo" invented its own language system with terms like "ibu" (individual), "sila" (planetary organization), and "taku" (personal space) to describe its social concepts. 🌟 The number 500 for community size wasn't arbitrary - it's based on anthropological research suggesting this is an optimal size for human social groups to maintain direct relationships. 🌟 Author P.M. (Hans Widmer) is an architect by training, which influenced his detailed approach to designing spatial and social structures in the book. 🌟 The book gained renewed attention during the 2008 financial crisis, with several new editions published as readers sought alternative economic models.