What is the glue they're claiming is so powerful that it would create a strong enough bond between all the participants?

Insightful question.

So far only 3 things:

• Common awareness that tyranny is rising and we need alternatives and solutions.
• A contract (yet to be read) between each person and the property owner and/or the cooperative "fellowship" (my preferred term over "community").
• A half-year probation period. I think it should be a full year to see how we fair in all seasons. Plus some of us are family and some are complete strangers. There will be (already is) tribalist favouritism and drama too. More time is better than not. IMO we should have perpetual reassessments to perpetually help us all, and all who invest short or long term - fairly and compassionately (some are very old).

You're probably not as misanthropic as I, but being around random morons in a living situation is about the worst thing I can imagine. (I've had housemates...)

I think I'm pretty tolerant, but draw a hard line on some things. I don't like morons either, but I like teaching and helping. I also need some help. So far I've not gotten what I need so I'm pulling out for now - and to get shit done this winter. Today I'm wrapping up, tomorrow it begins.