Utopian & Dystopian Themes

[Michael37]

Years ago, under a pseudonym, I wrote a faith-based three-part satirical forum novel called "Out To Lunch" which entertained and amused a number of forumists to favourable reviews. Like a lot of fantasy and fiction writing it contained both Utopian and Dystopian elements which stretched the boundaries of credibility to describe its setting, expand its theme, carry its plot, profile its characters, build its climax, and reach its dénouement.  

As much as I enjoyed composing and sharing this work I am acutely aware as a Christian of the need to avoid excess and extreme in everything. I know of those in the body of Christ who condemn all fiction outright, but that is an extreme I am not willing to subscribe to although I do believe our appetites for fiction and fantasy should be moderated, and that we should not dwell unduly upon imagined circumstances and conditions in the future. 

The Bible starts and finishes with Utopian elements, but in between there is much dystopia.

 Php 4:5-9  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6)  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7)  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9)  Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

U•to•pi•a

(yuˈtoʊ pi ə)

n., pl. -pi•as.

1. an imaginary island described in Sir Thomas More's Utopia (1516) as enjoying perfection in law, politics, etc.

2. (usu. l.c.) any ideal place or state.

3. (usu. l.c.) any visionary system of political or social perfection.

[< New Latin (1516) < Greek ou not + tóp(os) a place + -ia -y³]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Dys•to•pi•a

(dɪsˈtoʊ pi ə)

n., pl. -pi•as.

an imaginary society in which social or technological trends have culminated in a greatly diminished quality of life or degradation of values. Compare Utopia.

[1865–70; dys- + (U)topia]

dys•to′pi•an, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

[BeauJangles]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

Years ago, under a pseudonym, I wrote a faith-based three-part satirical forum novel called "Out To Lunch" which entertained and amused a number of forumists to favourable reviews. Like a lot of fantasy and fiction writing it contained both Utopian and Dystopian elements which stretched the boundaries of credibility to describe its setting, expand its theme, carry its plot, profile its characters, build its climax, and reach its dénouement.  

As much as I enjoyed composing and sharing this work I am acutely aware as a Christian of the need to avoid excess and extreme in everything. I know of those in the body of Christ who condemn all fiction outright, but that is an extreme I am not willing to subscribe to although I do believe our appetites for fiction and fantasy should be moderated, and that we should not dwell unduly upon imagined circumstances and conditions in the future. 

The Bible starts and finishes with Utopian elements, but in between there is much dystopia.

 Php 4:5-9  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6)  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7)  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9)  Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

U•to•pi•a

(yuˈtoʊ pi ə)

n., pl. -pi•as.

1. an imaginary island described in Sir Thomas More's Utopia (1516) as enjoying perfection in law, politics, etc.

2. (usu. l.c.) any ideal place or state.

3. (usu. l.c.) any visionary system of political or social perfection.

[< New Latin (1516) < Greek ou not + tóp(os) a place + -ia -y³]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

Dys•to•pi•a

(dɪsˈtoʊ pi ə)

n., pl. -pi•as.

an imaginary society in which social or technological trends have culminated in a greatly diminished quality of life or degradation of values. Compare Utopia.

[1865–70; dys- + (U)topia]

dys•to′pi•an, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Great post, Michael. I had no idea you've written a book, but would be very interested in checking it out. I think the title has been previously taken, but not positive on that. The term, "out to lunch" was a rather common one during the 1960's. It meant = bonkers, whacko, and numerous others terms for having gone crazy. Another one was this, "You're outta your tree!" It was also hip jargon for a couple of years. And I also believe the British still use, "gone troppo". (tropics) = took a mental vacation from the normalcy of sanity. No, wait. Here it is. 

'Gone troppo' meaning. One Definition. to have escaped to a state of tropical madness; to have lost the veneer of civilisation after spending too long in the tropics.