The Concept of Individualism and The Lack of It as a Key Component to Utopian Society

Having a perfect society is a notion that is held by many. The creation of an ideal society is in the mind of many, despite the population boom that is existent in the present world. The concept of utopia is debated based on the capability of humans to create the world that is envisioned in Utopia or having the recognition that it is a no place, which is only imaginable but not able to be accomplished in plain reality. There are a set of issues that tend to surround the concept of utopias, which is, economic equality for the entire human race, the fair share of the materials wealth that is generated in the nation and progressive development that is undertaken to the benefit of the entire human race. Utopianism is realized when the objectives of social, political and economic development of a nation are met and there is a fair representation of all people with everyone working towards the common goals of the objective of making the world a better place. Therefore, utopianism tends to take up the socialism model of governance in the society as opposed to the capitalistic model which is more inclined to the benefits that an individual is to receive from his or her labor. This paper discusses the concept of individualism, or the lack of it, as being a key component to utopianism and utopian society that is experienced in the popular culture.

In reference to the book Looking Backward, Edward Bellary takes the readers through an account of a man who went into a deep slumber on to waking up after some years. The changes that are depicted in the book are a representation of the changes that are taking in regard to technological and physical development that depict the idea that is perceived as being ideal. Based on the book, there is the ideal life that the author depicts as being desirable, that of, people having retirement at age 45 and receiving their full benefits, such as a depiction of a functional country that has a government which is also functional and responsive to the needs that its citizens could be having (Bellamy 33). The life that the author wishes to live is that if opulence, where there is abundance within the country as anyone is welcome to have a meal in any of the public kitchens that are existent. The ownership of the production capacity by the government, which is pro-people means that everyone has a fair share of the wealth that is made by the state. Such life would ensure that everyone partakes in the active development of the country and there is no income inequality that results in the process.

The conditions of labor that the author further depicts are favorable to the general public. Those who are doing the medial jobs have reduced hours in which they can work, to ensure that there are decency and respect in that which they are doing. Additionally, the uptake of technology the state is an indication that they adapt to the modern developments that have the sole aim of making human life better.

Based on the account that has been provided by the author, there is the general understanding that individualism is the least desirable life in utopia. The identity that the people living in the hypothetical scenario that the author present seeks to a collective identity as a community and not the identity of self, as is the case in the present world. The worry and the confusion that the authors present in the book are with regard to how individualism could water down the progress that humanity makes in being responsive to the needs of one another. The socialistic life that is in the novel is that of the 19th century when the government has the passion to serve the people, an issue that the present generation cannot explain. The economic conditions that are existent in the individualistic model are significantly different from those that are desirable in utopia. That is, in utopia, everyone has a credit card in which the amount of credit that they could receive is flatly basic and available to all. As such, there is no opportunity for the humans to take advantage of the other in making profit more than them. Under individualism, there are social or economic structures that would put some people at better positions compared to their peers. Humans take the advantage of being capable of gaining more wealth than their peers or subjects and such could not augur with the societal members in the lower economic rung.

The book We by Yevgeny Zamyatin tends to bring out the differences that could be existent in happiness and freedom. The message of the books is also a warning shot that is passed to the 20th century owing to the impact that it could have on humanity, especially, those who tend to subscribe to the ideologies that it presents (Zamyatin 44). The viewership of people as numbers, as at the beginning of the books is an affirmation of the primitively that is existent within Russia, prior to the commencement of the individualistic model. The straight lines that demarcate the boundaries in which humans have to exist and the use of common identity through numbers is an indication of the benefits that the society receives proper to individualism.

The message that the book passes is utopist is a state of life that is imaginable and achievable once humanity can make the commitment to have a common identity with one another. For example, the shaving of the head is an indication of the common identity that humans exude in their planet, which they could also duplicate to the aliens, to whom they may interact with.

The betrayal of D-503 is an undertaking that leads to a chaotic scene and an imbalance of the status quo, to which the community has even striving upon. Notably, there is the emergence of chaos in the present world owing to the breaking of the windows that have defined the earlier life that all enjoyed. The flow of birds into the One Nation is the commencement of the chaotic scene that defines the death of socialism and the entrenchment o individualism to the residents of the country. Therefore, individualism is portrayed by the author as book is capable of bringing order to the society. It also leads to an increase in greed and competition over the wisdom that one could have over the other, without having a consideration on how it could impact on the other humans.

According to the book Tomorrowland, science fact is driven by science fiction. The book documents the behind the scenes intrigues that are responsible for the technological developments in the current world. Technological innovations and science are viewed as having a contribution in changing the lives of the residents for the better (Kotler 38). However, the book also highlights the negative influence that technology could be having in the progressive development of the society if utilized under negative or wrong intentions. For example, the manufacturing of the bioweapons and the consideration of the use of life extension medicine and life support machines could also have a negative influence on the lives of the citizens. Bioweapons are depicted in the book as having the capability of altering the biological structure of the organism that is hit, thus, contributing negatively to the existence of such an organism. Often, such an effect could run through generations. The life extension technology serves to prolong the life of an individual and further ensure that one leads a dignified life, especially when he or she is sick. The life support machines are in tandem with the admirations of utopia since one is expected to live for a longer period without the fear that his or her life could be terminated. Kotler in the book further agrees that technology is the hope that would guarantee humans of an easier future life that is ideal for their progressive development.

The depiction of utopia is that of an event or an ideology that is not easy for humans to achieve. The standards that are set are often above board and the idea; life is not in sync with the reality that is existent in the modern world. The happenings that are brought about in the modern world to which the teachings of utopia incline towards being that of technology has the capability of changing the world for the better. However, such is not the true case since technology has its set of benefits and demerits. For example, technology eases the mobility and communication amongst people who are far from timely and relatively cheaper options. However, the very technology is the lead cause of the destruction which is being experienced in the modern world. Such leads one to question the very essence of utopianism, and the events and intrigues that would lead to the accomplishment of such.

Individualism is part of the popular culture that tends to have a direct influence on the accomplishment of utopian ideals in the society. The society is made up of a set of individuals who work to ensure that their common ideals are realized in the society. The approach that the individuals give to the issues that are affecting them is the major determinant of accomplishing the utopian culture. When individualism takes precedence over the collective good that the entire society needs to benefit from, then utopianism is a far dream that humans may not be able to realise. However, when individuals come together to weed out the wrongs that are affecting and find solutions to the difficulties and challenges that they are facing, humanity is on the course of meeting their utopian imaginations. As such, utopian is only achievable based on the approach that one gives to the challenges that he or she meets. Some of the issues that when individual meet up collectively, may need to discuss are the issues that take a toll on their socio-economic progress. For example, the imposition of unfair taxes, poor work practices, the death penalty in the penal codes and wars that leads to the death of humanity. The opposition to the ideologies that have a negative effect on the progression of all humanity is the greater hindrance to the accomplishment of utopian culture.

In conclusion, utopias are a concept that humans need to strive to accomplish. Having focused on the benefits that humanity could get in a given product is ideal compared to the consideration of the negatives that it could bring about. What is more ideal is not having consideration for individualism as there is a need to judge any development based on the effect that it could have on the human race. The concept of the utopianism traces to the period of Renaissance when humanity was exploring how they could live harmoniously with nature and still improve on the nature of their lives. Drawing from the book, Looking Backward, the major character of the book gets to live for more than 100 years. Such is an indication of the improvement in the quality of life which then leads to the increased lifespan. When the character gets into sleep and dreams of the city, it is not certain if he was in a coma, and as under the support of the lifesaving machines, which all a result of technology are. Overall, technology is the major determinant that would guarantee the progress of human and easing of the tomorrow life that humans are to lead provided it is not negatively exploited to cause harm to humans.