elundist

Elundist is a label applied to a loosely organized set of individuals and communities advocating a synthesis of ecological sustainability, local autonomy, and restrained use of technology. The term emerged in online discussions in the early 2010s and has since been used in academic and popular writing to describe a cultural tendency rather than a single, cohesive movement.

Core tenets include decentralization of social and economic power, resilience through local networks, participatory decision-making, and a precautionary approach to technology. Elundists emphasize apprenticeship and hands-on learning, and favor small-scale, place-based initiatives over universal solutions. They critique consumerism and large-scale centralized institutions.

Practices associated with elundism include community councils, time banks, cooperative housing, local currencies, seed exchanges, and shared infrastructure such as tool libraries or microgrids. Some elundist projects operate within existing municipal frameworks, while others function as autonomous affinity groups.

Scholarly and public commentary generally characterizes elundism as a decentralized, experimental current with variable outcomes. Critics argue that its vagueness can hinder implementation, and that excessive localization may limit access to resources or innovation. Proponents respond that incremental, community-led solutions can scale through networks and collaboration.