Tag: utopia

Dystopia

I know that in the past I have talked about utopia. In this case I want to talk about the opposite, dystopia. Here are the definitions for those of you who forgot what utopia and dystopia are. Utopia: “a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions” (definition came from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary). Dystopia: “an imagined world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized, fearful lives” (definition also came from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary). So utopia in other words is the perfect and ideal world while dystopia is the opposite (terrible). It is like some of those books we read like “The Hunger Games” or “Delirium” or “The Giver.” Those, in my mind, are what I consider to be the dystopian type of books. It is a way to conceptualize what dystopia is.

I think of dystopia as something dark and maybe sinister in a way. I think this next quote explains the clear difference between utopia and dystopia. Daniel Raj Kumar says, “Utopia is an illusion. Dystopia is the reality.” In other words, utopia is not something that is always true and dystopia is something that is true. Although we view dystopia as something bad there is something beautiful about it at the same time. Ally Condie explains some of that beauty in a great way. She says, “The beauty of dystopia is that it lets us vicariously experience future worlds – but we still have the power to change our own.” In other words, dystopia gives us an opportunity to experience future worlds and also gives us a chance to change our world. I think dystopia gives us a wake up call, whether its real or fake.

The thing about dystopia is that there is a great chance of that happening, especially if we do not take care of today’s world. That is what Lauren DeStefano says. She says, “Most dystopian, classic and contemporary, paints a future world that puts a twist on present society – a future world that could plausibly happen.” So like I said before, dystopia is something that could possibly happen. I could go on and on about dystopia, utopia and the difference between the two, but I think you all got the difference. I will conclude by saying that utopia and dystopia are not exactly the most simplest of ideas, especially dystopia. It is like asking that “what if?” question. That is dystopia in a nutshell. Here are two poems to enjoy, both visual poetry. I hope you enjoy!!

My visual poem titled “In a Perfect World.”
My visual poem titled “Dystopian World.”

Utopia/Ideal World

When I think of utopia, I think of some place like you see in the Hunger Games or The Giver or something along those lines. When you look up utopia on in the dictionary, one of its primary definitions is “an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.” We have all at some point wanted to have our own version of utopia. I think we have all wanted it because we are safe there and there are no specific rules. I think of it as an alternate type of world. In other words, it is a place we can escape to, especially when we do not want to be in the reality we are currently in. There is this quote by John Malkovich. He says “Utopia means elsewhere.” In other words, it is another place. I do think that each person has their own version of utopia. This is very similar to my post about your safe haven. This utopia is more or less the same. It is that place you go to be safe and where you are okay. I feel like we all need that utopia and safe haven. However, I feel like safe haven and utopia can have some differences.

In addition to utopia, there is dystopia which is completely opposite. I think of utopia and safe haven as secure, even peaceful. Dystopia is as the word describes itself as destruction, chaos and not so peaceful. I do not want people to confuse the two, so I will just leave it there. I will conclude by saying that utopia is the ideal world or society. Utopia can be viewed as something outside of the box or even crazy. Anyways, I will tell my readers to find their utopia or ideal world. It is perfectly okay to dream and think about it. This is one of my shorter posts since I think I have already talked about something very similar to this subject. Enjoy these poems and let it take you to paradise!!

Utopia

A place that is somewhere between heaven and hell.
When you close your eyes you are under that spell
Because it is a place so charming. A place where you
Can get lost and never come back from. You slip into
Some new dimension and reality. A new dream world
That you have always wanted to be a part of. It will curl
All around you, keeping you safe from your shadows
And lurking demons. A place where no one truly knows
Your deep secrets. You run through fields upon fields
Of wildflowers while never worrying about the shields
Falling down all around you because you know they will
Always be there to protect you. It is a big rush and thrill
Because everything is perfect here. This is your place of
Utopia. There you will find happiness; everything you love.
Remembering Utopia
Take me back to the spot where we first kissed,
Overlooking the city right before us. The mist
And clouds part, making way to the city lights
That still twinkle within the distance. No heights
Or limits can stop us now. This is utopia where
We do not have to think of anything and the air
Is fresh like the breezy ocean waves. Nothing
From the past or dystopian world can ever cling
To us while making us feel like we are drowning
In the fire because we are on top, always counting
The universe of stars. We are living in the present
Moment and that is utopia too. The strong scent
Of us is surrounding us, but I am no longer afraid
Of falling down and the sharp edge of the blade
Is non-existent. The place where the sun shines
Stronger than any piece of broken glass and signs
That point out the right direction. This right here
Is our heaven when all methods of time disappear.