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A Utopia is defined as “an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.”
For thousands of years human beings have dreamt of perfect worlds, worlds free of conflict, hunger and unhappiness. But can these worlds ever exist in reality? Can we ever have equality for everybody and freedom to do as we please?
In 1516 Sir Thomas More wrote the book 'Utopia'. He created the word 'utopia' from the Greek ou-topos meaning 'no place' or 'nowhere'. But this was a pun - the almost identical Greek word eu-topos means a good place.
So at the very heart of the word is a vital question: can there ever be a perfect world?
Toby’s version of the perfect world from ‘Who Made You the Boss’, the political satire the Rapscallions
Hands trembling, he held the Goggles up to his eyes. What he saw made him draw a breath in amazement – it felt like he was seeing a perfect world for the first time. A world where happy children were driving around in shiny new cars, working in little pods coming up with ideas for computer games. It was his fantasy, the place he went when he daydreamed about not having to go to school, but even better.
“…..at Manners, Inc. children lead productive, well rewarded and fulfilled working lives,” a beguiling voice began. “They avoid eleven years of tedium in a school system designed to take the power, the fun, and the rewards away from them. Working for Manners, Inc. children get to use their vivid and highly imaginative minds to create the technological content of the future. In return they are given, not only independence from the drudgery of school, but also daily rewards and compensation for their efforts. Come and see for yourselves at Manners, Inc., Manners Tower, Mannerstown, Manners Island.
Babar and his family build a magnificent city: Celesteville. Life is peaceful and contented, everyone has a job to do, and celebrations are frequent.
Babar was King of the Elephants. He wanted to create a magnificent city by a beautiful lake.
“This place is so beautiful that every morning when I wake up, I should like to see it. We must build our town here. Our houses will be by the water in the midst of flowers and birds,” Babar said.
In Celesteville the elephants work all morning; in the afternoon they do whatever they like. They play, go for walks, read and dream.
After their morning bathe in the lake, the elephant children went to school.
The elephants who were too old to go to school each chose a profession or trade.
For example: Tapitor was a shoemaker, Pilophage an officer, Capoulosse a doctor, Barbacol a tailor, Podular a sculptor and Hatchibombotar swept and watered the roads.
Doulamar was a musician, Olur a mechanic, Poutifour a farmer, Fandago a scholar, Justinien a painter and coco a clown.
When Capoulosse had holes in his shoes he took them to Tapitor, and when Tapitor was ill Capoulosse attended him.
If Barbacol wanted to put a statuette on his mantel-piece he told Podular and when Podular’s jacket was worn out Barbacol measured him for a new one.
Justinien painted Pilophage’s portrait, and Pilophage defended him against his enemies.
Hatchimbombotar kept the streets tidy, Olur repaired motor cars, and when they were tired, Doulamor played to them.
What does a day in the life of one of your inhabitants look like? (how is work organised; do you use money; how is wealth shared; how much technology do you use?)