User:Panic2k4/Sandbox/ShareMemory/Seeking Utopia

Seeking Utopia

Humans, in general terms, can be said to abhor all and any changes that does not create an immediate (or nearly so) benefit (or the expectation of it) that trumps the perceived (and the subconsciously assessed) cost/effort vs benefit of the adoption of those changes.

As we look at our past societies and present society, the now global one, we can clearly see huge problems that are deeply structural. Most of them constant and old, and some are so pronounced that go beyond petty political divergences to be criminalized by most states. It is absurd that we see those same states close their eyes in claimed impotence, where the only calculation is how the state may benefit for it.

Nothing was more obvious during the Cold War years, where stated ideological conflict would justify despicable actions. All in a pattern we now know is permanent. We have seen it in the past with religious wars, and further back in tribal attacks for wives, resources and territorial claims.

Today we are born captives to a global societal system, we had no say in it and very few will be able to impact in it during their lifetime. This is now a place with no escape, its is globalized and will slowly but certainly remove any lingering minority view that serves its purpose to eradicate. We live in a world where the dissatisfied and oppressed, are ever-increasing but simply prevented to become a majority, an organized body that has an audible voice, so they, as always have, expectantly awaits for a large enough social-economical system convolution to enable a revolutionary tabula rasa, a reset, hopefully toward the general betterment of all mankind (but especially theirs or those that pop the bubble as to obtain a convenient direction toward their own goals).

What is good may be bad, in a measure of time and knowing experience or as contradictory conceptualizations across consciences

As good and evil, the difference between the words utopia and dystopia, is only on how you think it. And there are an infinite number of possibilities, so it is minor the chance to get it right in the inevitable revolution that is to come, as it was in the one that created our present situation. Can we even say we are being slowly nudged into a better future for our species? It is undoubtedly easier to create a failure than a success, especially when the aim is not only perfection but a collectively shared one, a perpetually maintainable perfect society.

Thomas More -> coined the word utopia (Latinized Greek yoo-toh-pee-uh) = no place, his book Utopia published in 1516 included a poem that spelled eutopia (Latinized Greek ee-yoo-toh-pee) = good place, the fleeting defining of utopia (fiction and reality), utopia is linked to individual freedom, utopic concepts depend on the political inclination of the proponent but what are the generalities, French revolution? (Main political ideologies aim for it?) Major Religions ? (monastic existence,w:Quakers)), democracy? (who defines perfection?), equality, no property rights, utopia is about defining what is a right, proper, sustainable and ever lasting social order (control?), what are the costs for individualism and diversity to survive in an utopic society ?, is it possible to collectively share a complex utopic social system without divergences? what trade offs are necessary?, Information revolution and automation, always pleasant there is no place for pessimism in utopic dreams, a collaborative effort, w:Twin Oaks Community, Virginia, why are social orders and architecture/design so interlinked? (foundation, identity, function, structure, order, society is defined by its environment w:Buckminster Fuller), +urban planning (w:Garden Cities of To-morrow, w:Germania (city))

List of notable attempts reflecting the rich tapestry of thought for social utopia, sorted by increasing date of inception / publication, along with brief introductions and URLs for further reading:

Edenic Myth (Prehistoric Era) - The story of Eden from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament represents a utopian garden where humans lived in harmony with nature and each other before the fall of man. Bible Gateway

Heaven Concept (Est. 1000 BCE - Present): Represents a celestial realm of perfection and eternal bliss, varying significantly across religions. - Confucianism: Heaven (Tian) is the home of ancestors and embodies the supreme deity or nature, influencing moral conduct 5. - Dōgen's "Shōbōgenzō" (Zen Buddhism): While not a utopian vision per se, Dōgen's writings emphasize mindfulness and direct experience of reality, which can be seen as a form of societal harmony.----- - Laozi's "Tao Te Ching" (Taoism): Outlines a philosophy of balance and harmony with nature, which can be interpreted as a form of utopian living in accordance with the Tao. - Abrahamic Religions - Heaven is often depicted as a utopian realm free from suffering, where believers are rewarded for their faith and actions. Catholic Encyclopedia -- Christianity: Heaven is the final destination for the righteous, where God and His angels reside, contrasting with hell for the wicked. Purification through confession leads to eternal salvation. -- Catholicism: Expands on Christian concepts with purgatory, a transitional state for souls undergoing purification before entering heaven. -- The Qur'an (Islam): While not explicitly utopian, Islamic teachings emphasize social justice, equality, and the welfare of all members of society.

The Republic by Plato (circa 380 BCE) - An ancient philosophical text outlining an ideal society based on justice and virtue. Project Gutenberg 6130

Communal Life in Early Christianity (1st Century CE - Present) - Early Christian communities practiced communal living, sharing resources, and caring for each other, embodying a form of utopian social organization. The Book of Acts (New Testament) Describes the early Christian community living in harmony, sharing everything in common, and caring for one another. Bible Gateway - Book of Acts

Utopia by Sir Thomas More (1516) - Describes a fictional island nation where the inhabitants live under a system of laws promoting contentment and prosperity.

Campanella's "City of the Sun" (1602) - An early work of science fiction that describes a theocratic society based on Christian communism.

New Atlantis by Francis Bacon (1627) - Describes a utopian land where science and technology flourish, leading to advancements in knowledge and well-being.

Harmony Society (Founded in Germany in 1785, Moved to the United States in 1803) - A Christian theosophy and pietist group that practiced communal living and shared resources.

Ethiopia's Hadiya Kingdom (1813-1855) - This kingdom, led by King Tekle Haymanot II, practiced a unique form of communism, sharing resources among its members, and is considered an early attempt at a utopian society in Africa.

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1848) - Proposes the establishment of a classless society where private property is abolished and the means of production are owned communally.

Shaker Communities (Established in the United States in the 18th Century) - Originating from England, the Shakers established communities in America practicing communal living, equality, and pacifism.

Amana Colonies (Established in Iowa in 1855) - A communal society of German Pietists emphasizing simplicity, honesty, and hard work.

Oneida Community (Founded in New York in 1848) - Known for its complex marriage system and communal living, aiming for economic independence and gender equality.

Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy (1888) - A novel depicting a utopian society in the year 2000, where economic inequality has been eliminated through a nationalization of industry. Internet Archive - Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy (1888)

A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells (1905) - Explores the idea of a global utopia achieved through a world government and the abolition of nationalism. Internet Archive - A Modern Utopia by H.G. Wells (1905)

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932) - Presents a dystopian vision of a futuristic society where people are genetically engineered and controlled through technology and drugs.

The Shape of Things to Come by H.G. Wells (1933) - A science fiction novel predicting a future world united under a single government to solve humanity's problems.

Tanzania's Ujamaa Socialism (1967) - Tanzania implemented Ujamaa, a policy advocating for self-reliance and communal farming, aiming to reduce wealth disparities and promote social welfare.

The Derg's Socialist Experiment in Ethiopia (1974-1991) - Following the Ethiopian Revolution, the Derg regime attempted to implement socialist reforms, including land redistribution and the creation of workers' cooperatives, though it faced significant challenges.

This list includes both historical and contemporary attempts at creating utopian societies, showcasing the enduring human desire to envision and strive towards a better way of living.