“The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race.” – Ted Kaczynski

He wasn’t right about everything, but that line? That line has aged well.

In a world overwhelmed by digital noise, emotional chaos, and the collapsing structure of traditional society, men—especially young men—are adrift. Therapy isn’t the only answer. Sometimes what a man needs is not another diagnosis, but structure. Not pills, but purpose. Not endless talking, but quiet, shared work and the guidance of older men.

It’s time to bring back something like the old monasteries.

Not necessarily religious (though they could be), and not lifelong commitments. Think of it more like a structured sabbatical from modern life: a place where overwhelmed men can live simply, work with their hands, grow their own food, and rebuild themselves. You can call it a reset, a rite of passage, or just a sanctuary from the madness. The idea is the same: Spartan simplicity, communal living, personal responsibility.

Imagine a place where the only screens are for lighting and the only messages come through dirt, sweat, and human interaction. You wake up at dawn. You tend gardens. You build. You eat what you’ve grown. You sit around a fire at night, not doomscrolling, but talking—or sitting in silence. Peacefully.

Who Is This For?

Young men who never had real masculine role models.

Middle-aged men burned out by modernity and ready to recalibrate.

Men recovering from addiction, divorce, mental burnout, or directionless living.

Men who don’t want to marry or reenter society—but want to live peacefully and contribute.

A Modern Shaker Movement (With Celibacy)

The Shakers created communities based on order, simplicity, and devotion to shared values. They didn’t marry or have children, but they built, farmed, and produced beauty in their lifestyle. A modern version must follow their example in one key aspect: celibacy.

In modern times, introducing sexual relationships—even indirectly—into communal male environments inevitably leads to internal conflict, distraction, and degeneration. To avoid this, celibacy is a requirement. It’s not about repression; it’s about focus, brotherhood, and clarity of purpose. Sexual restraint provides the stability and simplicity necessary for this kind of community to thrive.

There would be rules—strict ones. No porn. No drugs. No electronics beyond essentials. Everyone contributes. Everyone pulls their weight.

This isn’t a spa. It’s a forge. A place to finish growing into a man.

Key Features

Communal meals from food grown on-site

Manual labor as therapy: gardening, woodworking, construction

Daily structure and routines

Celibate brotherhood grounded in mutual respect

Optional spiritual practice or reflection

Elder mentors guiding younger men

No distractions, no tech addiction, no noise

Use Cases

A man takes a year off after college before entering the workforce

A man recovers from a breakup or burnout

A man retreats from society for spiritual reasons

A father sends his drifting son here to harden up and grow up

Why This Matters

Our society produces boys in men’s bodies. It punishes masculine instincts and leaves men purposeless. Most violence, crime, and dysfunction comes from men who never learned how to be men. This model gives them that chance—without therapy, without pills, without screens.

It’s not that these men are broken. It’s that they were never finished.

Business Plan (Short Overview)

Goal: Set up a self-sustaining, low-cost, semi-monastic community for 100 men in a rural, low-tax area of the U.S.

Legal Structure: 501(c)(3) religious organization (ideal for tax exemption and community purpose)

Location Criteria:

Remote but accessible

Cheap land

Good growing conditions

Low state taxation (e.g. Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, or parts of Texas)

Land Cost Estimate:

50-100 acres of farmland: $150,000 – $300,000

Initial Infrastructure:

Communal bunkhouse ($100,000)

Communal kitchen & mess hall ($75,000)

Showers/toilets/laundry ($50,000)

Tool/workshop barn ($50,000)

Tiny private cabins for staff/long-term residents (10x @ $15,000 each = $150,000)

Solar, water, septic ($100,000)

Total Startup Estimate: ~$750,000

Ongoing Annual Costs (includes full room, board, operations, maintenance, and support):

Staff (5 full-time at $30,000/year) = $150,000

Food and agriculture supplies (partially offset by farming) = $50,000

Property maintenance, utilities, and basic repairs = $40,000

Insurance, legal compliance, accounting = $30,000

Reserve fund to support indigent residents + long-term sustainability foundation = $80,000

Annual Budget: ~$350,000

Per Man Cost (at 100 residents): ~$3,500/year = ~$292/month

Fee Structure (Designed to Approach Sustainability):

$400/month for short stays (1–3 months)

$300/month for medium stays (3–6 months)

$250/month for long stays (6–12 months)

$200/month for committed stays (12+ months)

This model keeps long-term commitments as close to break-even as possible, while higher fees for short-term residents help subsidize men in true financial need.

Some men will pay their way. Others will be supported through sponsorships, charitable giving, or endowments. The goal is to build a foundation that eventually sustains itself while offering transformational support to those who need it most.

A Parallel Vision for Women

While this project focuses primarily on men, there is also a deep need for a female counterpart. Modern women—especially those overwhelmed by the pressures of careerism, social media, or broken family structures—would benefit immensely from a similar kind of sanctuary: a peaceful, disciplined, celibate space dedicated to feminine restoration.

A women’s version of this community would likewise be built on simplicity, celibacy, and service. It would focus on homemaking arts, gardening, cooperative work, and spiritual growth—offering space for healing, reflection, and the cultivation of authentic feminine virtue. Elder women could pass down lost wisdom to younger generations, nurturing emotional maturity, self-respect, and the skills necessary for meaningful family or community life.

Just as we propose a monastery model to help men finish their maturation and reenter society as strong, stable men, so too would this model help women become whole, grounded, and ready to embody the roles of mother, sister, wife, or wise woman.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about recovery. It’s about re-forging men. It’s about giving them a path to become competent, peaceful, productive members of their families, communities, and civilization. Or, if they choose, simply letting them live quietly and honorably away from it.

We don’t need more distractions, dopamine, or diagnoses. We need discipline, dirt, and dignity.

If you’re interested in helping fund or build something like this—or know someone who might be—reach out.

Let’s bring back the MANasteries.

(see a version for women here: https://x.com/NoahRevoy/status/1906336137125208095)