7. All are treated equally, regardless of race, gender, religion, political affiliation, sexual preference, or age.
[paraphrase]... unless you are of average intelligence, or - May The Leaders Forbid - intellectually retarded... [/paraphrase]
I like your ideas in general, but the one about only smart people getting in smacks of eugenics.
Ever seen Gattaca? Top film... Addresses some of the issues a technologically inclined society might come up against in the pursuit of Utopia.
My thoughts? A Utopian society can't be produced by only having intelligent folk. You'd need radical reform of the education systems before there
would be any guarantee that you'd end up with anything other than the hodge-podge of dissatisfied, unfulfilled people that we witness daily around
us...
Ah what the hell - here's my 'off the top of my head' thoughts on the matter:
The Nation of Fly-Topia
First rule = Make the energy free, with systems engineered and provided from common funds and each citizen with an equal share of
'capital/ time investment' in the project. That's the foundation of the success of our nation.
Second Rule = The pursuit of perfection in all we do, to the best of our abilities, for as long as we all shall live.
Third Rule = Provide the basics for everyone.
Fourth Rule = Engineer the environment to be as close to a tropical paradise as practically possible.
Sixth Rule = Six days of six hours work for all; each citizen must take part in a sporting activity once a week (at least) - to whatever
standard of competition they are capable of.
Seventh Rule = Graded salary structures according to a sort of 'fair' caste system. Capitalism doesn't work in Utopia, as it leads to
greed. each shall know their duties and perform them well. Anyone who becomes incurably sick or disabled wil be cared for in specially maintained
accommodation, and will be encouraged to contribute to the arts (often the last recourse for permanently ill folk, as I should know).
Eighth rule = Each male citizen between the ages of 18 and 35 must (and any female aged similarly who wishes to, may, of her own free
will) join the standing army sworn to protect the citizens. (NB - similar to the volunteer reserve forces, in addition to the full-time army, such as
Britain's TA) They will take part in three times weekly, hour-long training sessions designed to develop common bond, develop high levels of skill,
maintain fitness and inspire respect from visitors to the nation. The nation is defined as the citizens plus its leaders, and special safeguards will
be put in place to ensure that no one group seeks to establish an abusive power hold over any other. The absence of competitive trade internally, and
the assurance of fair external trade agreements
should any ever prove necessary (as part of being an Utopia, the nation will aim to be
self-sufficient) - these should hopefully prevent power cabals from spawning.
Ninth Rule = Technical progress (while certainly one of the highest objectives) will not be divorced from an agnostic position
concerning the nature of reality, the universe, God etc. Scientists will be encouraged to keep an open mind in all matters, and no paradigm will be
allowed to become 'sacrosanct'. Peer reviewing will not be declined on the basis of snide publishing preferences (see the lack of competitive trade
rule), and the fact that transparency (anti-corruption) measures are in existence will ensure that all research being conducted can be equally
accessed and insights offered by any citizens, who have anything (of any potential value) to share in assessment of the research, as a means to
progress in the search for answers to any and all 'problems' (read as endeavours - there will be no problems; this is an Utopia after all) - that we
find ourselves tackling in the course of life.
*phew - longest sentence I ever did write *
Tenth Rule = Freedom of expression, speech and sexuality, without degrading or profaning any other person, activity carried out by a
person or people (etc). Invitation to assess the policies, processes, laws and constitutional arrangements of the nation will be extended bi-annually
to all citizens as part of a national celebration of unity and progress, marked by a week's national holiday and a collaboratively produced
PARTY..!!!!
*** *** *** *** ***
Overriding rule regarding children - no child (under 16) will be exposed to anything other than positive, productive, healthy activity and an
intellectually rigorous education. Children will be schooled in the policies, processes and constitutional arrangements of the nation from the age of
12, having been given a schedule of 'virtuous behaviours' to model themselves after from the age of 8.
The education system itself is a complexity I wouldn't want to comment further on without proper time to reflect.
Disclaimer - the above came from my brain and I reserve the right to call it my own should it ever prove useful in relation to my commercial
opportunities. (Heck, this isn't Fly-Topia now is it?!)
edit on 13-1-2011 by FlyInTheOintment because: clarified military rule
edit on 13-1-2011 by FlyInTheOintment because:
clarification, spelling