It seems that the world is becoming increasingly fractured and dangerous as the years go by. Environmental issues are becoming more hazardous. People are becoming less content. Countries are becoming less safe. Or at least it seems like it to me. Sometimes its nice to think "It I had the power then...." or "If I had enough money then...." but as nice as it is to think about being able to change the world for the better I think society won't be better until people re-learn things that have been taught for generations.
Right now nations are tightening borders. Wars are breaking out. There is an US vs THEM attitude. An attitude of "I deserve it so I'll take it!". It's almost impossible to think of a world where insecurity doesn't exist and borders are free.
As much as I wish such a world existed I just don't think people are wired for it. I think they are very much wired towards "The Seven Deadly Sins" as characterized by the Catholic church. While I'm not Catholic, I do believe that people who ignore these vices (which is the majority) tend to destabilize society.
Seven Deadly Sins
The Catholic church has said that there are seven deadly sins:
- Pride
- Greed
- Anger
- Envy
- Lust
- Gluttony
- Laziness
I'm going to guess that most people would find themselves falling on the wrong side of one of these "Sins" in their perfect Utopia.
Some people may think that their way is the best way and everyone should follow it. Things would be better if everyone did things my way! PRIDE
Some people may think that it would be Utopia if everyone had all the nice things they wanted. House, Car, Food, Toys, etc. GREED
Some people may think it would be Utopia if all the stupid people just went away, or if all those people who wronged us were gone, or if those who wronged us got what was coming to them! ANGER
Some people just wish they had what "everyone else has". Closely related to Greed but I'll call this one ENVY
Of course some guys I know would say it would be Utopia if they had all the beautiful women they could handle! LUST
And yet other people would say that it would be Utopia if no-one ever had to go hungry again and had all the good food they wanted! GLUTTONY
Other would of course think that life would be great if only they didn't have to work so hard. If others could do all the hard work for them so they could just relax and play all day then life wouild be great! LAZINESS.
In reality though I bet all of those things would lead to even worse problems that we have now. Pride leads to anger. Greed leads to environmental devastation. Envy and lust lead to discontentment, theft, and worse. Gluttony ruins your health and the environment. Laziness means nothing gets done...or more often than not someone else doing the work!
For that reason I'm going to say that Utopia begins at home. Preferably on a homestead.
Utopia begins at home
Personally I believe that peace and happiness come from enjoying what you have, enjoying the work you do, enjoying the people you spend time with, and having a spiritual focus that gives purpose.
Having all those things in a city where everyone if fighting for more is tough. Having those things in a city where advertisements are constantly encouraging more, more, MORE just leads to discontentment.
Which is why I believe that a homestead is the ideal place to start Utopia. Being self sufficient on a homestead brings many good things. A sense of purpose and reward from hard work is a great place to start. A humble heart and appreciating those people who work with you leads to contentment. Avoiding excess and advertisement is a great way to be able to enjoy what you have instead of what you don't!
More than that, creating beauty in a place of your own can help create a better environment both for the owner of the land, the people with him, and even the plants and animals as well!
Plus it is harder to fall victim to the deadly sins on a homestead.
It is hard to be proud when you are cleaning up after animals or kneeling on the ground planting crops
It is hard to want more when you know how much work you will have to do to get it
It is easy to be angry of course but then again when on your own property / homestead you don't have to deal with as many stupid people. Easier to avoid anger that way
If you don't see it you don't want it. Easier to avoid envy if you don't see others having more.
As for gluttony. If you eat what you raise its easier to understand your link with the food. Understand taking your fair share.
And it is hard to be lazy on a farm / ranch.
Is Utopia possible?
I doubt it.
People are just too hard wired to want more! The seeds of discontentment are too deeply rooted in too many people. It is sad and I wish it were otherwise but I just don't think people are wired for peace. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not going to try and grab a little peace and content for myself on a homestead. If more people think like me then perhaps society will become a little gentler and kinder over time. That would be nice and I'd be happy to live my quiet life tending the land in a society like that.
Just my two cents worth.
Side note: Society doesn't work if everyone is a steward of the land and homesteading. Artisans, workers, scientists, doctors and so many more are required for a vital and advancing society. However, if the focus turns from greed to harmony with artisans working to perfect their craft, workers trying to do their best with what they have, scientists looking to make life better for everyone, doctors out to help people and not their wallet, etc in a world like that maybe...just maybe...we wouldn't need borders or locks on our doors.
As always feel free to leave a comment!