Utopia = a society perfect in every way. Perfect sounds pretty sweet . . . but could a utopian society really exist? Pondering this question, an internal debate happens in my brain.
No threats, and citizens have all their needs met. In an ideal society, membership is voluntary. Everyone is there by choice and can leave at anytime. Resources are equitably shared; choices are respected; diversity is celebrated.
But without struggle, would there be purpose? Or motivation? Or growth?
A utopian society can exist only in the absence of ego and jealousy. Everyone must act selflessly for the good of all. However, essential to the human experience is one’s sense of self. Art, literature, music are human inventions, created as means to express ourselves.
So, without ego, would there be art?
This is a foolish question. Of course there would be art in a world without ego! Art is often the byproduct of pure happiness. While some might argue that only oppression fuels artistic movements, I disagree. Some of the world’s most significant works of art are expression of joy. It is la joy de vivre!
Without need, would there be creativity? Or innovation? Or even imagination?
In my ideal society, everyone would feel joyous, ergo the community would be a hub for some of the most creative and skillful artists on the planet. Imagination will be booming like nowhere ever before. Without worry and terrible things in people’s lives, more time would be allocated to the pursuit of knowledge, and by extension, innovation.
How would government in this community be structured? Corruption is inevitable when some hold power over others.
My utopian society would be an anarcho-syndicalist commune. Perhaps an unusual reference, but to quote Michael Palin and Graham Chapman (as King Arthur) from The Search for the Holy Grail;
Arthur: …Who is your lord?
Woman: We don’t have a lord!
Arthur: What?
Man: I told you! We’re an anarcho-syndicalist commune! We’re taking turns to act as a sort of executive-officer-for-the-week–
Arthur: Yes…
Man: But all the decisions of that officer ‘ave to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting–
Arthur: Yes, I see!
Man: By a simple majority, in the case of purely internal affairs–
Arthur: Be quiet!
Man: But by a two-thirds majority, in the case of more major–
Arthur: BE QUIET! I order you to be quiet!
Woman: “Order”, eh, ‘oo does ‘e think ‘e is?
Arthur: I am your king!
Woman: Well, I didn’t vote for you!
Arthur: You don’t vote for kings!
Woman: Well ‘ow’d you become king then?
Arthur: The Lady of the Lake– her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is whyI am your king!
Man: Listen: Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some… farcical aquatic ceremony!
Arthur: BE QUIET!
Man: You can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!!
Arthur: Shut UP!
Man: I mean, if I went ’round, saying I was an emperor, just because some moistened bink had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
Arthur: Shut up, will you, SHUT UP!
Man: Aha! Now we see the violence inherent in the system!
Arthur: SHUT UP!
Man: Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP, HELP, I’M BEING REPRESSED!
Obviously, my brain has wondered and that quote lead slightly off topic (and was unnecessarily long). However, in my utopian society, tangential thinking is encouraged. Oh, and every person also has a pet. It is proven that interacting with animals decreases stress, blood pressure, loneliness, and boosts your happiness. Having a pet additionally increases opportunities for exercises and socializing. All good stuff.