Life in America is a dream to some, a reality to others. Whether or not an individual can claim to live the utopian life depends on a number of factors beyond shared housing. Utopia requires a peaceful, kind and loving group of individuals, all of whom desire to live a perfect existence and have passion for a well defined purpose.
The word, first coined by Sir Thomas More for his book describes a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. More recently, the term has been used to describe intentional living communities. While it does not require a village, it certainly helps when individuals can share in a peaceful, loving and kind community.
The communes of the late 1960s and early 1970s are a good example. Many individuals shared housing while also sharing chores, cooking, cleaning, gardening and other activities. While different, it can be said the concept of dystopia was born out of this earlier philosophy. Unlike communes of the late 60s and early 70s, today the focus in these communities is more on gardening, recycling and reusing rather than on sex, drugs and rock and roll.
The word, of Greek origin literally means "no place." Interesting meaning when one considers the realty of the meaning of the word and the adage that "no place is perfect." The earliest mention of a Utopian paradise would be that of Plato's Republic. Whether with Plato's Republic, or others' since, one thing in common with most is that the economics are often based on a socioeconomic status.
When looking to create commune or intentional community, it is good to have as minimal a carbon footprint in the process as possible. Once the individuals are on-site, it is important to discuss the responsibilities and shared talents of the household. It is also important to pick a location that is ecologically sound and in good environmental health. Otherwise, the village may only be completed to have to be torn down and rebuilt elsewhere.
As a result, due to the commercialism and capitalism that took over the late 19th and early 20th century, many communes and intentional communities arose in various parts of the world. Social disruption created by the establishment of these new markets has always been thought to have been the cause of this particular recessive period in history. It is during this time that the socioeconomic status among those living in different communes, intentional communities and other shared housing became quite clear.
In some ways, college dorms might fit the profile of utopian society. In other ways, not even close. The often obnoxious, loud and boisterous ways of college has a way to eliminate the utopian concept. Whereas, to live a life that is utopian is to live a life that is peaceful simplicity in harmony with life and nature.
A good fictional example is Andromeda (1957) a film in which a united human race communicates with a Great Circle to develop a perfect technological culture within a social network. The basic premise is that the right individuals can build an intentional community of peaceful, kind and loving people which can last a lifetime. One of the most important aspect of a successful living situation is the ability of all residents to co-exist in a peaceful manner regardless of differences of opinion.
The word, first coined by Sir Thomas More for his book describes a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. More recently, the term has been used to describe intentional living communities. While it does not require a village, it certainly helps when individuals can share in a peaceful, loving and kind community.
The communes of the late 1960s and early 1970s are a good example. Many individuals shared housing while also sharing chores, cooking, cleaning, gardening and other activities. While different, it can be said the concept of dystopia was born out of this earlier philosophy. Unlike communes of the late 60s and early 70s, today the focus in these communities is more on gardening, recycling and reusing rather than on sex, drugs and rock and roll.
The word, of Greek origin literally means "no place." Interesting meaning when one considers the realty of the meaning of the word and the adage that "no place is perfect." The earliest mention of a Utopian paradise would be that of Plato's Republic. Whether with Plato's Republic, or others' since, one thing in common with most is that the economics are often based on a socioeconomic status.
When looking to create commune or intentional community, it is good to have as minimal a carbon footprint in the process as possible. Once the individuals are on-site, it is important to discuss the responsibilities and shared talents of the household. It is also important to pick a location that is ecologically sound and in good environmental health. Otherwise, the village may only be completed to have to be torn down and rebuilt elsewhere.
As a result, due to the commercialism and capitalism that took over the late 19th and early 20th century, many communes and intentional communities arose in various parts of the world. Social disruption created by the establishment of these new markets has always been thought to have been the cause of this particular recessive period in history. It is during this time that the socioeconomic status among those living in different communes, intentional communities and other shared housing became quite clear.
In some ways, college dorms might fit the profile of utopian society. In other ways, not even close. The often obnoxious, loud and boisterous ways of college has a way to eliminate the utopian concept. Whereas, to live a life that is utopian is to live a life that is peaceful simplicity in harmony with life and nature.
A good fictional example is Andromeda (1957) a film in which a united human race communicates with a Great Circle to develop a perfect technological culture within a social network. The basic premise is that the right individuals can build an intentional community of peaceful, kind and loving people which can last a lifetime. One of the most important aspect of a successful living situation is the ability of all residents to co-exist in a peaceful manner regardless of differences of opinion.
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