Written in 1905, H.G. Wells' unusual fiction/non-fiction hybrid describes his ideal world state.
"Our business here is to be Utopian, to make vivid and credible, if we can, first this facet and then that, of an imaginary whole and happy world...It is no doubt an optimistic enterprise."
A Modern Utopia, has elements of a classic utopia (a stranger visits an ideally structured, considered society, explores, and returns home), but Wells undertakes his visit to Utopia with unapologetic, intentional philosophical discourse.
"It will be evident to the experienced reader that by omitting certain speculative and metaphysical elements and by elaborating incident, this book might have been reduced to a straightforward story. But I did not want to omit as much on this occasion. I do not see why I should always pander to the vulgar appetite for stark stories," said Wells in his introduction to the book.
Wells' Utopia is also not the classic small, isolated enclave, but rather an entire world set in alternate "space." In A Modern Utopia, the Utopia is the reality and the world we live in is the dream; the nightmare we remain in by inaction and feeble will (imagine that after Neo took the pill in The Matrix he awakened into a cleaner, smarter, more humanely ordered society instead of one at war with machines).
"Utopia, where men and women are happy and laws are wise, and where all that is tangled and confused in human affairs has been unraveled and made right."
What makes a society Utopian, in Wells' view, is similar to many other utopian authors: equality, vegetarianism, liberalism, and a more collaborative and less ego-driven society. Attaining Utopia is a collective act of will that requires individuals to care about humanity, work to structure society and see beyond their own ego-driven interests. (Pairs well with: Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, 2010, in which religious scholar Karen Armstrong makes a similar argument.)
"If we are to have any Utopia at all, we must have a clear common purpose, and a great and steadfast movement of will to override all these incurably egotistical dissidents."
Since Wells wrote A Modern Utopia society seems to have made strides towards his vision including: longer life spans, reduced inequality by race and sex, a healthier, fairer system of employment, and a more connected global society.
Unique ideas in Wells Utopia include: a class structure topped by a "samurai" level of enlightened ascetics; the allowance for group marriages of three or more persons; regular pilgrimages made by individuals into the wilderness alone to recharge and reflect; and the absence of pets (they are deemed unsanitary).
Wells uses the foil of a botanist skeptic (see the aforementioned "incurably egotistical dissidents") who follows his protagonist around Utopia and is generally dismissive. The botanist is an ego-driven character interested only in himself and his own passions.
"Our business here is to be Utopian, to make vivid and credible, if we can, first this facet and then that, of an imaginary whole and happy world...It is no doubt an optimistic enterprise."
A Modern Utopia, has elements of a classic utopia (a stranger visits an ideally structured, considered society, explores, and returns home), but Wells undertakes his visit to Utopia with unapologetic, intentional philosophical discourse.
"It will be evident to the experienced reader that by omitting certain speculative and metaphysical elements and by elaborating incident, this book might have been reduced to a straightforward story. But I did not want to omit as much on this occasion. I do not see why I should always pander to the vulgar appetite for stark stories," said Wells in his introduction to the book.
Wells' Utopia is also not the classic small, isolated enclave, but rather an entire world set in alternate "space." In A Modern Utopia, the Utopia is the reality and the world we live in is the dream; the nightmare we remain in by inaction and feeble will (imagine that after Neo took the pill in The Matrix he awakened into a cleaner, smarter, more humanely ordered society instead of one at war with machines).
"Utopia, where men and women are happy and laws are wise, and where all that is tangled and confused in human affairs has been unraveled and made right."
What makes a society Utopian, in Wells' view, is similar to many other utopian authors: equality, vegetarianism, liberalism, and a more collaborative and less ego-driven society. Attaining Utopia is a collective act of will that requires individuals to care about humanity, work to structure society and see beyond their own ego-driven interests. (Pairs well with: Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life, 2010, in which religious scholar Karen Armstrong makes a similar argument.)
"If we are to have any Utopia at all, we must have a clear common purpose, and a great and steadfast movement of will to override all these incurably egotistical dissidents."
Since Wells wrote A Modern Utopia society seems to have made strides towards his vision including: longer life spans, reduced inequality by race and sex, a healthier, fairer system of employment, and a more connected global society.
Unique ideas in Wells Utopia include: a class structure topped by a "samurai" level of enlightened ascetics; the allowance for group marriages of three or more persons; regular pilgrimages made by individuals into the wilderness alone to recharge and reflect; and the absence of pets (they are deemed unsanitary).
Wells uses the foil of a botanist skeptic (see the aforementioned "incurably egotistical dissidents") who follows his protagonist around Utopia and is generally dismissive. The botanist is an ego-driven character interested only in himself and his own passions.
Comments
Post a Comment