What's the point of envisioning a utopia when we know it can never come to be? Thoughts of an imaginary place where everyone is equal, where there's peace and the likes is just depressing, because I know that you know that a "Utopia" can never truly exist. But just because it doesn't exist doesn't mean we, humans, haven't tried to create it;
Brook Farm of 1841
It's a farm located in West Roxbury Massachusetts built on radical ideas, social reform and self reliance by George and Sophia Ripley. It was honestly a good "utopia" because the residents just had to do about 10 months of labor and was offered was free schooling. Brook Farm was a success for 6 years before it fell apart in 1871 because the younger residents were tired of doing all the dirty work and because it was plagued with smallpox and fires.
Fruitlands Commune of 1843
It was founded by Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane in June 1843, Its located in Harvard Massachusetts. In this "utopia" it was forbidden to eat or use any animal products, which I personally found ridiculous, not the vegetarians thing, but the no animal products because it extended to not even using them for farming. Like how do you expect to grow decent vegetables without cow poop! Anyway Fruitlands Community believed in free love and were against ownership of property. It eventually collapsed in January 1844 because the community was very malnourished and members eventually left.
Songdo, South Korea
Songdo, South Korea is a "smart city" that is designed where every area of life; climate control and communication is controlled by computers and networks. It is also designed to have a small carbon footprint. The Songdo Master Plan covers everything such as schools, stores, offices and the likes. However even the amazing plans and developments Songdo is making to become a successful utopia, the biggest problem they face is attracting business and may end up failing in becoming a utopia.
Do you see the similarities between these Utopian communities? That's right FAILURE! Brook Farm tired and failed, Fruitlands Community tired and failed and soon Songdo, South Korea will join the ranks of failed Utopian communities. You know the saying third time the charm, well in this case its not because there has been numerous attempts in creating Utopian communities and they all lead to failure. Honestly a Utopia is nothing but a an abstract thought, an imaginary land, a dream. However there has been one place that has been successful in creating a Utopia and that would be Twin Oaks.
Twin Oaks
It is located in Louisa, Virginia. The community is very diverse and open in religion and sexuality, has good schools and is well formed democracy. It is a community that shares all of the responsibility; gardening, taking care of the farm animals, childcare, etc. They are also very self-supporting, their income coming from hammock and tofu sales, indexing books and seed growing. They even work 42 hours a week and share their income with one another! It unbelievable but also amazing
There is nothing bad that I can truly say about this place, all I can do is be amazed at how successful the community continues to be. But like all good things, it must come to an end. Yes Twin Oaks was able to survive for 49 years but how long will it be before history repeats itself and they meet their demise. Will they still be able to stand for another 10 years, maybe 5? Who knows only time will tell.
Alabi O.
Word Count- 595
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