The Hidden Dystopia Within an Utopia

The Hidden Dystopia Within an Utopia

America, the land of the free, the independent country, is an ironic thing because americans are dependent beings. Reling on the local supermarkets for food, the modern american people are forgetting the worry of the weather to have a fresh supply of vegetables or a sustinant necessity. As a people, americans are never as close as they are now to achieving a utopian society around the world. However today's society is dragging itself into a dystopia by turning away from an idea of utopia to please oneself. Through the works of technology, tyranny, and illusions, the populus today is becoming the realistic visual to the works of great dystopian authors.

Through technological advancements disabled people can walk or shake someone's hand. Just about anyone can reach another person on the other side of the world by a simple phone call, and even the simplest tasks, such as turning on the lights, are effortless. The development of technology has greatly improved many lives, however it has made humanity weak. The idea of robots and technology is working smarter, but that simple phrase could not be more contrary to the actual fact. The advancement in technology is dehumanizing people. Technology has become a part of everyday lives, consuming the precious time that is already so scarce. This power continues to rapidly grow, even Artificial Intelligence has become inevitable. According to Margaret Boden, the future of AI is bright, but the brighter it becomes, the more shadows it will cast. The strange thing is, is that society today knows that this technology could be humanity's own undoing. The balance of living and nonliving things are starting to shift and nonliving things will continue to exist after the living are no more. (Inside Every Utopia is Dystopia) Several movies and books are even capturing the plausible future of societies own dystopia, by the invented.

Dalrymple, T. has found the irony that the closest century to a utopia creates the most dystopias. In nearly every dystopian work, there is a form of dictatorship or a form of high power. (Stoner, P.) America is the freeland, however within this free, no ruling concept there lies a hidden power. In 1984, posters of enemies were placed all around to strike a common enemy and fear among the people. (Orwell, 149) Not only were they given false propaganda, but they had telescreens watching their every movement. (Orwell, 2-3) An Italian professor suggested that dystopias are even more appealing because the endings have more of a realistic rather than a fairytale result. (Haatanen, M.) There may not be an ruler over the United States of America, however through sneaky propaganda the government controls the people.

Freedom of speech and freedom of press, these two American rights are a little false advertised. Those who control the news, control the people. Has anyone actually thought about the corruption of the news, because it is controlled by the government? News maybe free, but this news could just be governmental propaganda in disguise. Life is hard and it is messy, including government and other positions of power. Some people, especially teens can relate and connect to distopias and their characters, because they tend to feel all alone against their fight against the world. (Nadworny, E.) Everyone loves a good story, but half of the reason stories are so appealing is because people can relate to them. Dystopias are no exception and crawling into a good story, that relates to the emotions and problems the readers themselves deal with, can make the reader feel as if they can escape or feel victorious themselves.

The main issue with an utopian society is that it is truly a dystopia in disguise. In the work of Sir Thomas More's Utopia, the society truly seems like a dystopian. Even though there are quite a few interesting utopian qualities, such as how the people of Utopia don't own the land, but they work with it and maintain it working with the land rather than against it, is outnumbered by the numerous dystopian qualities. The families had to submit to the father of the family and many of the houses contained slaves, which is hardly a utopia for all. A major point that should really be examined would be the actual idea of a utopia. In Revelation 21: 4-7 the true utopia of heaven is explained He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new!' Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. A utopian society has the wrong set of morals, it is based off of one's personal wishes and desires. However these tend to not appeal to everyone and someone, one way or another, does not get what they want. Taking a crumbled society and creating a bit of hope, such as a hero, draws readers more and more to a dystopian text. (Haatanen, M.) Everyone wants a hero and a happy ending, because that is what they want in their own life. People want to please themselves, that is how the nature of sin works. One thing that creates conflict with the possibility of a utopia is sin, the one thing that remains common in everything is sin and that is inevitable.

To change roads onto a path of a utopia, current issues must be resolved or they could end in a complete disaster. Creating a more stable society and government, such as providing jobs and security can turn away from this becoming dystopia. (Kaspersen, A.) Today's society in America has started down the path of a dystopian through technological advancements, tyranny, and illusions.

References

1. Boden, M. (2017, March 2). Artificial Intelligence: Utopia or Dystopia?. Robohub. Retrieved from https://robohub.org/artificial-intelligence-utopia-or-dystopia/
2. Dalrymple, T. (2001, Autumn). The Dystopian Imagination. City Journal. Retrieved from https://www.city-journal.org/html/dystopian-imagination-12204.html
3. Haatanen, M. (2016, July 7). Literature Reflects the Threats of Future Societies. University of Retrieved from https://www2.uta.fi/index.php/en/ajankohtaista/uutinen/kirjallisuus-heijastaa-yhteiskunna llisia-kauhukuvia
4. Inside Every Utopia is Dystopia. The Tí¤llberg Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.tallbergfoundation.org/how-we-work/programs/inside-every-utopia-is-dystop ia-an-exploration/
5. Kaspersen, A. (2016, Jan 14). A 6-Point Plan for Avoiding a Dystopian Future. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agende/2016/01a-6-point-plan-for-avoiding-a-dystopian-future More, T. (1516). Utopia. Habsburg Netherlands: Thomas More.
6. Nadworny, E. (2017, December 18). Why Teens Find The End Of The World So Appealing.
7. National Public Radio. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/12/18/536007249/why-teens-find-the-end-of-the-w orld-so-appealing
8. Orwell, G. (June 8, 1949). 1984. United Kingdom: Harvill Secker.
9. Stoner, P. Dystopian Literature: Evolution of Dystopian Literature From We to the Hunger
10. Gordy Honors College. Retrieved from https://www.muw.edu/honors/merge/articles/4388-dystopian-literature-evolution-of-dyst opian-literature-from-we-to-the-hunger-games

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