The Story of Utopias (Revisited)

The Story of Utopias, by Lewis Mumford, was one of the most interesting reads on the ideals of utopian beliefs that I have encountered thus far in my studies of futuristic societies.  Before recapping my thoughts on the writing, I just want to emphasize on how well Mumford uses his words as well as his metaphors.  The way in which he described proposed ideas was brilliant. “People who will not venture out into the open sea pay the penalty of never having looked into the bright eyes of danger; and at best they know but half of life.”  He opens with great descriptions of the types of mental and physical perfection, and how the pursue of each can lead to any number of creative manifestations toward utopia.  Mumford also argues for the Ayn Rand aspect of the perfect city by talking about the idea of utopia as being too mentally perfect.  He also states the idea of a utopian-dystopia, meaning the thought of a utopian world to function as a dystopia can exist as a utopia.  His arguments also seem to play with the moral tugs between past, failed utopias and the false reality of creating utopia, while still encouraging the pursuit of the perfect city by stating, “…but without the magnetic needle we should not be able to travel intelligently at all.  It is absurd to dispose of utopia by saying that it exists only on paper.”  In my opinion, this claims that, to give up on utopia is to abandon creativity.

Now then, the definition of utopia, when broken down into its roots, literally means “not a real place.” 

U: not/ beautiful/ imaginary

top: place

ia: named place

This shows how the definition can change into several different branches; for example, Thomas Moore claims utopia means, “the beautiful place.”  This shows very true throughout time, especially with the examples presented in the writing: Pluto vs. Thomas Moore. 

Pluto:  375 B.C.

This ancient portrayal of a perfect city was based upon communalistic ideals, or everyone work for everyone.  On top of this, he had a Hitleristic approach to censorship; in order to share tales and stories, the presentation and wording must be perfect in order to be heard.  He also believed the relation between men and women was strictly based on a procreation level.  With this layer of family values in mind, children would be raised collectively by men and women of the procreating generation.  This then shows how procreation governs.

Moore:  1516 A.D.

This modern approach to city perfection is an example of social engineering.  This idea has been seen several times through utopian idealist history.  The overall concept of this portrayal can be put into text as, “Men are not born, but made…”  This idea requires everyone to follow their own religion, and frowns greatly on atheism, primarily due to the Magna Carta.  Visual economical class separation is discouraged as well, meaning that families all appear the same; gray clothing, governed travel, no jewelry.  The idea behind this strict ruling was that excessiveness is the root of evil.  Everything is also fully legislated.  Slavery is permitted through land raids, meaning that a family can keep prisoners for manual labor around their personal dwelling.  Every dwelling also contains closed gardens and built in work spaces for family reflection and meditation.  To show no class difference again, families must move every 10 years.