Week 6 Questions: Utopia and Dystopia

[deholz]

Questions for Jacqueline Feke, based on the readings:

1. E.M Forster, The Machine Stops
2. Selections from Plato’s Republic

[timok15]

Looking at the dystopias of various writers in particular eras gives us an insight into the fears that were present about the future in the minds of the authors. How do you consider the study of the utopias written and drawn up at a particular time? What insights do you think a utopia grants us into the hopes and aspirations, but also the biases of the writers and people around at the time? How might we use this knowledge of old fears, hopes, and biases to think and contemplate our own future?

[lubaishao]

The characters in The Machine Stops communicate solely through the machine, isolating themselves from face-to-face contact and genuine emotional connection . This reliance on technology leads to a lack of intimacy and personal connection. With the release of Apple Vision Pro, I see a potential scenario. The human senses serve as channels for communication between humans and the world, but now our eyes seem to resist direct interaction with the world. Could such technological advancements result in a gradual reduction of connections between individuals? The world depicted in the movie Ready Player One is an unacceptable reality for me. It feels like replacing genuine experiences with directly creating sensory stimuli for the brain.

[ldbauer1011]

The Machine Stops is a chilling piece that shows how humans are perfectly capable to restrict their own personal freedoms in exchange for safety and convenience, something that continues to ring true today. Even though this piece is well over 110 years old, it raises questions about human choice when presented with increasing levels of technology. What can we do to keep technology in control over us and our selves, rather than let technology gain control over us and our choices? Is this even a practical approach when confronted with the demands of the modern day consumer?

[miansimmons]

In literature, one of the primary characteristics of a dystopian society is the presence of propaganda, which is used to influence or control individual thought and perception. Given that nations often push political propaganda, allow media outlets to present inaccuracies, and even restrict access to information, it seems that this dystopian element is quite prevalent around the world today. To what extent do you believe that propaganda will impact our ability to circumvent existential risks? Does media regulation point us toward or away from dystopia (i.e., governments restricting freedom versus protecting us from misinformation)?

[DNT21711]

In your view, how do Plato's discussions about the ideal state and the significance of technology in society compare with E.M. Forster's depiction of technological dependence and isolation in 'The Machine Stops'? Could Plato's concept of the philosopher-king and the emphasis on intellectual and moral education provide a solution to the dystopian outcomes depicted by Forster?

[M-Hallikainen]

The two texts we read this week point to visions of dystopia and utopia from very different points in history from our own, 380 BC and 1909 AD respectively. Given the monumental progressions in both technology and politics, as well as the emergence of man made existential threats like nuclear weapons and climate change, how do you think dystopian and utopian narratives have fundamentally changed since these writings? Have they changed at all?

[tosinOO]

In The Machine Stops we see how dependent the individuals are on the advanced tech available to them. If you were to live in a society fully dependent on an all-encompassing Machine, how would you define your individuality and freedom? Would there even be such a concept as freedom anymore?

[oliviaegross]

The characters in The Machine Stops communicate and act solely through a machine, or rather allow the machine to do everything for them. I wonder what you all think of the role of passivity in the technological existential crises we face, is it at the center of it, or a symptom of it?

[AnikSingh1]

In The Machine Stops , there is an over reliance on The Machine being able to take care of every immediate need for all humans. I believe this leads those same people to become disinterested in exploring outside of what they know, because they are comfortable and safe. Holding this true, does this imply that life could hold little meaning once we have what we desire? Seeing their lack of interest in the natural land, in person communication, and other resources aside from The Machine has made me believe that comfort could be a trap that could halt human curiosity/passion for growth to become a better, stronger, and intelligent person.

[lucyhorowitz]

Can apocalyptic/dystopian/utopian writing say anything meaningful about the future, or is it all merely a reflection of the author's present situation?

[cbgravitt]

Do you think that the existence of so many ideas on utopia and dystopia prevent their realizations? That is, do you think humanity will heed the many, many warnings we ourselves have generated and continue between extremes in perpetuity, or do you think our end lies either in perfection or annihilation?

[agupta818]

I have read many books that are dystopian or utopian and many of them seem to divide up society into groups that have either different jobs or different powers. Some of them have extremely advanced technology and others have reverted to a time before modern or advanced technology. What do you think are realistic aspects of these societies that we commonly come across in literature? Will society be divided into working groups or sectors or will it be more of a collective? Will we see a future taken over by technology like the short story where all communication and life is done through a machine, or one devoid of it?

[imilbauer]

E.M. Forster's narrative revolves around a son's inability to convince his mother of their entrapment until it is too late. What is the role of different social relationships in Socrates' model of education -- what is the role of the family, compared to the role of the school, compared to the role of the public square, compared to political authority? To what degree and how can someone be "convinced"? Does Socrates think that the ruler's will have the sufficient capacity to instruct and rule? Is there a hope that once those in the dark develop the ability to leave the "cave" they can also play a part in these functions?

[kallotey]

In The Machine Stops, Vashti makes a point that there is no reason to travel because everywhere on the Earth looks the same. Every room is the same, and the Earth itself is brown and dusty, dangerous air and temperature. However, the best thing about travel is exploring new places, cultures, and people. With the advancement of technology, people have been able to reach other parts of the world from their devices: do you think that human connection will cease with conditions as extreme as what occurs in the story? Will culture become a thing of the past as people try to adapt to new circumstances?

[mibr4601]

In many pieces of dystopian literature, our ability to think for ourselves and make our own choices is lost. Do you think that with social media and other technological advancements, we are already losing our ability to think freely for ourselves and make informed decisions? As we continue to advance in technology, how do we ensure that we don’t get consumed and rely on technology?

[WPDolan]

A significant amount of dystopian literature (including The Machine Stops), ends with the destruction or overhaul of society. Do you believe that dystopian societies are naturally more prone to collapse than a non-dystopian or utopian society, or is this trend in literature largely attributable to our desire for narrative completion?

[maevemcguire]

Is there a way for both “us” and the “machine” to survive?

[briannaliu]

In the famous thought experiment “The Experience Machine,” philosopher Robert Nozick presents a hypothetical machine that could simulate whatever desirable or pleasurable experiences a subject could want (an idea reminiscent of the Machine in The Machine Stops). He then asks, if given the choice, would people prefer the machine or real life?

When I think about this question, my immediate reaction is “real life,” and many I’ve posed this question to have said the same. In your view, why do you think this might be?

[ghagle]

I am not actually sure that dystopia or utopia (they are probably the same thing) are risks worth taking seriously. As we have been studying, there are many forces actively plunging us into further chaos and reducing the harmony that I associate with these x-topias. Disinformation, global warming, nuclear threat, resource depletion, and others are coming or are already here. X-topias need order and dependability. Do you see a threat of x-topias in light of the contemporary havoc-inducing dooming forces we face?

[Hai1218]

"The Machine Stops" posits an existential crisis not as a result of external oppression but from the internal erosion of the will to engage authentically with the world and each other. Considering this perspective, debate the ethical and philosophical dimensions of pursuing technological advancements. How can societies navigate the fine line between leveraging technology to improve human life and ensuring that this pursuit does not lead to an existential void characterized by a loss of autonomy, diminished capacity for independent thought, and a disconnection from the natural environment?

[AudreyPScott]

Considering your expertise in Ancient Greek rhetoric and scientific histories, I want to focus my question on that timescale. What societal conditions lead to distinctly (to use post-More terms) utopian and dystopian rhetoric in ancient cultures? We see now, and in the Forster piece, the logical extreme of societal conditions of urbanization, colonialism, industrialization, and communication. Greek philosophy, to the uninitiated, is painted as lightning in a bottle and a stroke of enlightenment. But considering the clear parallels of Forster's work to both society and the rhetoric of the Cave, what other influences may have been behind ancient thinking of this sort? On the more scientific and perhaps less apocalypse-baiting end, what other direct influences have you seen on other works of dystopian literature? How much do you think such literature goes on to influence society, developments, and later thinking?

[aaron-wineberg02]

Are the terms utopia and dystopia relevant to categorize the future anymore? Consider the rapid changes in technology, politics, and norms. What was acceptable just years ago is now verboten and vice versa. Alternatively, I ask if there should be optimism when looking for the future in storytelling/forecasting.

[GreatPraxis]

In this class, we have discussed dangerous threats to the existence of humanity, like global warming, nuclear weapons, pandemics, and the over-reliance on artificial intelligence. We are far closer to a dystopian scenario than a utopian scenario. Do you think this is the case? Alternatively, is it more realistic to say that both dystopias and utopias are unrealizable and function mostly as yardsticks?

[summerliu1027]

In your opinion, how applicable is philosophy to modern society, especially classic political theories? What should we be taking away from the classics and what should we avoid? Is there a good way to differentiate between the two?

[Daniela-miaut]

There seems to be constantly a tendency to come up with a technical solution to the problems in human society based on people's understanding of mathematical harmony, whether in Plato's Republic (though the book is far more than that simple construction), or in the realization of totalitarianism in the 20th century. Do you think it is a confusion to equal the mathematical harmony to the ideal guidelines of human society? If true, in an age where science and technology take the dominance, what can our politics and society take as their basis?

[aidanj5]

What is the ancient greek understanding of the vegetative, animal, and human tripartite soul, and does that instruct us how to live?

[gabrielmoos]

I believe that the Greeks had a much better understanding of the human condition compared to individuals today, even though we have more information. How can we embody the values of thinking and scholarship in a fast-paced society and information dense society?