There are as many Utopias as there are dreamers willing to weave them. That we strive to perfect our lives is a testament to our evolution of character. That one should express one's intentions so that all can see, serves as an honest representation of one's personal beliefs. Affirmations can be made by many artistic approaches. A person may express one's identity in a song, a poem, painting, sculpture, a short story, dance, or the magnificence of architectural design. Perhaps this is indeed what constitutes one�s true profession. Is not the best motive for hard work that which serves as an expression of one�s character and integrity. For myself, my affirmation rests in the description of an ideal society. A society within which I would like to live.
Philosophical Utopia
For every utopian scheme there is a philosophical presumption. I've formulated one that is pretty simple.
First, it's important to get an idea of what it is that truly motivates the individual. I believe it's the colors and textures of experiences dictated by the unique affinities of each person. The experiences one seeks might include rites of passage like graduation or marriage. They can be little things like a child's laugh, a spring rain, a good book, or to accomplish a perfect score on a test. It's important to be honest with yourself and with others about what you really want out of life. Wanting money is an illusion. It's what the money can get you that really matters.
Second, the society that these individuals compose must facilitate the programs of each of it's members. This must be done void of negative conflict. The community does this by making basic necessities available equally to all its members. Conservative institutions do this through an entirely automated infrastructure that processes and distributes typical provisions. Unique resources, that can't be shared, yet where two or more individuals vie for possession, are regulated by a contingency for conflict. This contingency uses innovation, compromise, and mutually assured denial as tools in its appraisal over disputes.
Finally, individuals practice virtue. They do this in their behavior toward one another and toward the planet upon which we all thrive. By this people find their spiritual place and purpose as individuals within their world. The virtues are self discipline, responsibility, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty, faith, work, friendship, and compassion. In addition to these, people also practice the precepts: not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to be unchaste, and not to take intoxicants. Also, by applying objectivity, humility, and love individuals find their place in nature and the meaning of life.
Material Utopia
One of the basic necessities is shelter. The bioshelter provides protection from the elements. It frees people so they can live on their own terms with nature. Geodesic domes seem the most beautiful and most efficient form for a bioshelter. Of the all shapes, the sphere has the greatest surface area to volume ratio. The elegant geodesic imitates this effect while retaining the synergetics and stability of tetrahedral support. Domes could be built as small as a house or large enough to contain entire cities.
Renewable energy insures a society's long term sustainability. Photovoltaics shows the most promise at assuring this. Of all energy sources, solar seems the least damaging to the environment. It also uses the fewest moving parts, providing a low maintenance way to generate electricity for unlimited applications.
A combination of intensive hydroponic farming and permaculture can be used to generate foods and medicines. Hydroponics permits the grower to separate the growing system from the natural. This leaves it free of potential pests and potential fertilizer and supplemental complications. The climate can also readily be controlled within the confines of the bioshelter. Permaculture works opposite. Outside the bioshelter, the landscape returns to nature. Food and medicines are acquired through hunting and gathering practices that don�t threaten ecological stability.
Robots and computer systems facilitate governorship of infrastructure, general communication, manufacturing of basic necessities, and provide entertainment for the population. Electronic systems control climate within bioshelters, transportation systems, and regulate energy production. Robots engage in manufacturing and maintenance, freeing people of repetitive labor. Communication and entertainment are facilitated via the internet.
Space and time travel: Great floating spheres travel the globe facilitating access to all areas of the planet. Some of these spheres have a capacity the escape earth�s gravity. Once out of the earth�s atmosphere, these can achieve speeds approaching the speed of light. Helium-filled airships return to the skies. Space travel becomes common place for vessels are designed that require lightweight fuel payloads. They approach very fast speeds. As they approach the speed of light, they can propel their occupants to any time and place in the future. |
