Would you want to live in an utopian society? (read before answering poll)

[Wikiy]

Hello everyone.

Imagine a world about 150 years into the future. Doesn't matter what kind of technology has been invented. This world is ruled by a world government, which, for the sake of the argument, actually isn't corrupt and is made up of all "races" and former nations. Also, the number of political representatives in the parliament is big enough so that a single man or group can't get too much power, so let's say a thousand. All notion of nationalism or national pride is gone, there is no more a sense of belonging to one nation, one country or one union. There is only the sense of being human. In addition, money doesn't exist, everyone is equal. Most jobs that most people wouldn't do are automated, and the jobs people do are actually those they want to do with the only "reward" being the opportunity to actually do something they're interested in.

I'm not interested in whether you think this is unrealistic or impossible. I personally think that while this world might seem sort of uninteresting, one-sided, monotonic or too detached from reality, it would be what humanity should ultimately aim for. While i do have a sense of national pride and while i am a proud citizen of my country, i don't think sacrificing this national pride and sense of belonging is too great a cost to pay for something like what i described. I also don't very much like capitalism and greed for money, which seems to be fairly prevalent these days. I would gladly do what i'm interested in for a set number of hours (which wouldn't have to be 8, it would be flexible because it would be up to me) every day, because it's simply my passion (physics), and i honestly do feel a bit sad for people who don't have an equal passion in their lives (that isn't emotional) for any sort of... let's say profession, in their lives, people who essentially work just because they have to due to the current social paradigm or because the job enables them other things through money. I would very much like to live in a society which strives for total equality and equal opportunities for everyone, which would, i assume, be called socialism.

Anyway, what did you answer, why, and what are your general thoughts on this?

[Dhrizzle]

To quote Iain M. Banks;

Good grief yes...! What's not to like? ...Well, unless you're actually a fascist or a power junkie or sincerely believe that money rather than happiness is what really matters in life.

[s_bushido]

You basically described Star Trek's Earth. I don't really see any downside to living in a place like that. Maybe boredom? *shrug* Of course, for that to even happen there would have to be fundamental shifts in human nature, so it's hard for me to envision what it would be like.

[Grishnaz]

Yes. For this particular world.

[Catta]

It would be pretty telling if someone required the suffering of others to be happy rather than everyone being happy at the risk of being dull.

[buddhapunch09]

What Charlie Chaplin said brought a whole new diminution/world of horror onto me that i had never even conceived into my mind before. It scared the shit out of me of how i was living my life. If me, my government, nations, leaders think what Charlie said is good and tried to follow that idea we would have peace on earth and everyone would be equal. The only law we would have is "accept everyone", is that a law? There would be a strong order in our world, people would love each other and be happy. Looking at this i find law and order two separate things. Laws can be broken, can an order? Thats what would happen if us, the world, followed this mindset, unite and have an order to have order. If there was a man to say no to this would he be considered evil?

Today i was watching my dog he was so happy. He is a creature who lives in my boundaries, strictness, being told what to do by me. Sometimes he breaks my rules when he knows better. Sure he does animalistic things but he knows no better. Watching him and rewarding him by playing fetch and petting him, he was so happy, i envy his simplicity of happiness. Is it because of my laws i enforce? He knows little but he knows what i dont like (ie getting on my bed, one of my laws) sometimes i punish him by yelling and he is afraid.

Anyways my question is with peace, uniting, acceptance, is there room for laws? Would you even have a free will? to have steps to make the person you want to be, to find your heaven? You yourself wouldnt have laws to go off of to be who you want. "God influences the law, Satan influences the man": REV 2:26. That shitty bible verse i randomly found freaks my shit. Is our influence for peace and order of man?
I think i would rather not live in a Utopian society.

[Feardotwin]

No, then I wouldn't fit in even more so.

[Deleted]

As long it has a fast internet connection, anime, video games and good hardware, I'm game.

[Deleted]

Nope. I'd like to be more unique/prominent than someone else. I guess a society like that would not allow me to.

[Wikiy]

Of course, for that to even happen there would have to be fundamental shifts in human nature, so it's hard for me to envision what it would be like.

Indeed, but i do think humans might actually reach a point where the majority actually starts thinking about the far future (as in at least 100 years) of humanity and what is essentially the best for us over a longer period of time, a period they won't live to see.

Nope. I'd like to be more unique/prominent than someone else. I guess a society like that would not allow me to.

A society like that would allow you to be a freer person, it would allow you to follow whichever path you found the most interesting without interference of factors like money. It would encourage equality (as in race, gender, equality, power, social position, etc) while at the same time encouraging that people follow what makes them unique.

[Aerimae]

No, who wants a repetitive life? sitting on your chair all day playing WoW 24/7 ? Atleast now we go to work and have things to strive for and passions. Who wants to live in a world of grey.

[Socialhealer]

star wars, harry potter, star trek, the avengers are all more realistic than a world without money, 7 billion people and money doesnt exist how is anything decided?

money runs and drives this planet, to remove it would be like removing the human race.

i know you stated you don't care if its impossible but, my logic says to me i cannot decide if i want to live in a place that i couldn't dream of existing there will always be a form of currency, and this will always lead to power.

basically heaven and if put like that, yes i guess i'd like to live in that but again eh impossible....same chance of myself becoming ruler of the universe :x

[Nev12]

As long it has a fast internet connection, anime, video games and good hardware, I'm game.

Don't forget the bacon. No utopia without bacon.

OT:

Yes.

[Deadvolcanoes]

You had me at....

ruled by a world government, which, for the sake of the argument, actually isn't corrupt

[Grizzly Willy]

You essentially describe my ideal world. One where a person does not worry about whether or not the will be able to afford food, water or shelter. Where one does not have to fear being trampled on by the oppression of their government, or by the tastes of society. People exist as they are, not as we tell them to be, and those that wish to work to a better tomorrow are rewarded justly.

I believe I picked up the idea from the Venus Project which advocates for the creation of such a society, and I would gladly live in such a world.

[WaitingforMoP]

I voted yes, that sounds better than the world we live in now to me.....

[Deleted]

meh utopias are bourgeois notions =P

[Stir]

So... A world where I can create, write and share without limits? Where copyright problems aren't happening simply because there's nothing to gain from it? Where boredom and sustainability are the main drives of innovation?

Where do I sign?

Also: I'm pretty sure you're aware of project Venus: http://www.thevenusproject.com/

The saddest part is: A world like that is actually possible. Really. We just have to come up with a process that slowly removes Capitalism as a system of economy without reverting to methods such as non-Marxist 'communism.'

[Rakeer]

I was looking for the part where you said I would have to bathe in a pool of spiders once a month. Wasnt there. There is no downside to that at all so why wouldnt I?

[Flappy]

I wouldn't call that socialism. But you can if you want.
But sure I would live in that place. Who wouldn't the way you described it? There's basically no qualms to be had.