...The society that portrays in Kurt Vonnegan’s “Harrison Bergeron” is both a utopia and a dystopia. “Harrison Bergeron” is a utopia and dystopia because all the characters are equal, but it seems asperous and impetuous kkby having handicaps to force equality. Diana Moon Glampers also kills two people, which is not perfect. What makes it a utopia is that they are all equal, so no such thing as bullying. The handicaps make it harmful to the people who have to wear them, but for the people who don’t have to wear believe that the handicaps are just to help them. “All this equality was due to...amendments to the constitution,”(page 69), meaning they thought it would help since it was in the constitution. “Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter...
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...I. Characteristics A utopia is described as a perfect, highly desirable society where all citizens live in peace. The job of a utopian society, whether it is real or not, is to create a desirable goal for all people. "An ideal may be reasonably defined as a standard of perfection supremely desirable but not fully attainable",(Bottiglia). An example of a place that fits these standards is Eldorado from Voltaire’s Candide. Candide stumbled upon this place of great wealth and beauty with Cacambo and thought it must be the best possible world, therefore a utopia. “Fountains of pure water, rose-water, and sugar-cane liqueur played unceasingly in public squares, which were paved with a kind of precious stone smelling of cloves and cinnamon”,(Butt...
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...America: On the Path to Utopia or Cyberpunk? As I sat and listened to multiple political science essays in the last few weeks of my Honors Colloquium class, some essential concepts really stuck out to me and resonated in my mind. The idea of a utopian society that was brought forth in class got me thinking of how our world would be like today if we adopted some utopian methods of living. In America we are very blessed to live in the land of opportunity yet we are always focused on what is the next and best opportunity for us to seize. The American people have grown accustomed to a fast paced living, never stopping to look around at the beauty of nature that surrounds them or share a smile with a stranger. We are always on to the next best thing and we forget to appreciate the aspects of human life that really matter. If we as a people decided to change our patterns of everyday living we could make America more than the land of the free and opportunity. If we connected with a utopian lifestyle, we might find ourselves actually enjoying life or maybe we will discover utopia isn’t the right choice for the direction of our country’s future. Either way in this paper, I am going to introduce the key elements of a utopian society and also another society that I think represents where America is heading today and into the future. A utopia is a community or society possessing highly desirable or perfect qualities. Utopia can be seen as an imaginary society of sorts because it does...
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...Analysing Dystopia in a “Brave New World” The concept of Dystopia in literature is a form of exploring various interpretations of a different world. Specifically, a dystopian text explores a domain in which a society and way of life may seem ideal (Utopia), yet within the text it is later revealed that the society remain mentally unprepared and incapable of sustaining order in their world. Most dystopian texts illustrate a world which has been resulted in the consequence of humanity and this is one of the main reasons it is regularly visited. It is a genre in which the dystopian texts frequently challenge the views and values of their current audiences. This is because they are judged and critiqued on their depiction of scenes and events that breach sensitive moral and ethical issues. What makes the genre so fascinating both to read and write is to remind ourselves of the capabilities of humanity and just how much we can impact a hypothetical world. It is also a way in which we can ponder the extremes we as a society can reach and reflect the possibilities of the very future of the human race. Another reason why the concept intrigues us is because dystopian texts are subconsciously thought to be renditions of hell. With Utopia being the impression of heaven or an ideal world, Dystopia corresponds as the opposite. These ideas are explored in Aldous Huxley’s classic dystopian piece “Brave New World” [1932]. “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley is considered a dystopian text due...
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...TH 502 Social Sciences Winter Semester 2013 Prof Anne-Marie Willis Office: C3 114 anne.willis@guc.edu.eg Lectures: Wednesday 12.30 – 14.00 in H18 Course Description Social Sciences research phenomena of social interaction and investigate them empirically. Social sciences analyze structure and function as well as the interdependence with action and behavior processes of individuals. The lectures introduce social science thinking and methods that are useful for designer’s research. Students will be able to use methods as interviews, questionnaires, case studies, participant observation, and evaluative techniques. The course seeks to demonstrate the significance of the social sciences (sociology, psychology and anthropology) for design. It does this by describing and analyzing specific examples of the use of social science thinking and methods in design practice. Additionally, the social sciences are contextualized historically, especially in terms of the modes of thinking that underlie them. Learning Outcome, Competences • Detailed knowledge in the fields of design research and social science method • Ability to apply problem-oriented scientific working methods • Ability to comprehend fundamental concepts upon which social sciences are based Assessment Coursework (assignments) 30% Mid-term exam 30% Final exam 40% Assignments will be announced and guidelines given in Lectures 2 and 7. Attendance To complete this course successfully...
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...THE PROBLEM WITH WORK A JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN CENTER BOOK THE PROBLEM WITH WORK Feminism, Marxism, Antiwork Politics, and Postwork Imaginaries KATHI WEEKS Duke University Press Durham and London 2011 © 2011 Duke University Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper co Designed by Heather Hensley Typeset in Minion Pro by Keystone Typesetting, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data appear on the last printed page of this book. THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED WITH LOVE TO JulieWalwick (1959-2010) Contents ix Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION i The Problem with Work i CHAPTF1 37 Mapping the Work Ethic CHAPTER 2 79 Marxism, Productivism, and the Refusal of Work CHAPTER 3 113 Working Demands: From Wages for Housework to Basic Income CHAPTER 4 151 "Hours for What We Will": Work, Family, and the Demand for Shorter Hours 5 CHAPTER 175 The Future Is Now: Utopian Demands and the Temporalities of Hope EPILOGUE 227 A Life beyond Work 235 255 Notes References 275 Index Acknowledgments thank the following friends and colleagues for their helpful feedback on versions of these arguments and portions of the manuscript: Anne Allison, Courtney Berger, Tina Campt, ChristineDiStefano, Greg Grandin, Judith Grant, Michael Hardt, Stefano Harney, Rebecca I would like to Karl, Ranji Khanna, Corey Robin...
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...I read somewhere “I can only see a better world built on the ashes of this one”. Still trying to figure out what it really means. Gandhi believed we must be the change we want to see in this world. But what change can we effect? The world isn’t going to change just because you don’t like it. Change means different things to different people. For Macklemore change meant changing world’s point of view on homosexuality. He was frustrated how the world around him viewed same sex marriage and he wanted to help change that. Our society is evolving; change is inevitable so why not change for the betterment? So what is it that I want to “change” or “fix” in this world? I think I want to get rid of religions. No, it does NOT mean that I’m an atheist, or I don’t believe in God. I do. With all my heart, but what is today that man needs religion for? To be ethical and moral? Every sane person on the planet knows right from wrong without needing a religion to tell them. It's a natural instinct of all animals and probably the only remaining animal instinct in humans that is beneficial. Many religions enforce these altered ideas of right and wrong with blind faith and self-righteous attitudes, which in turn, creates more problems pertaining to ethics and morals. I firmly believe the most ethical and moral human beings are the ones who know right from wrong and also have no affiliation to any religion. The change I suppose that I want to see is to stop using religion to target minorities...
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...The Giver vs. Pleasantville Comparative Essay In both works, The Giver and Pleasantville, leaders symbolize control and elsewhere represent new beginnings. Leaders symbolize control. The first example I have for Pleasantville is the time when the Mayor does not allow Bud to speak and defend himself at his trial. wAfter art wreaked havoc and chaos across Pleasantville, Bud and Mr. Johnson decided to paint another painting across the jail walls. At their trial, the judge was the mayor. During the trial, the mayor himselfs asks Bud if there was anything that he wanted to say to defend himself. Bud said "yes," and began speaking. The mayor immediately cut him off because the mayor wasn't hearing what he wanted to. This shows that the Mayor is a...
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...Africa. Story like apostle Paul – orginially a person who persecuted Christians – north African wealth family from – found enlightenment in Christianity. Once he joined became one of the early scholars trained in greek – regulized Christian theology. Influence on western world – top four or five who influenced. Confessions and City of God his writings…look up! What’s the purpose of improving human society – complex – why do it? Can human society be made better? Why bother, what is the point, justification? Takes effort, misery involved, change, unknowns, takes energy, takes risks. HAPPINESS – justification for improving society. What do you have to have to be happy? What is happiness – PHI 101 – happiness according to whom? Lack of misery; literally the elimination of misery. Secondly, food – gives pleasure – Happiness is lack of human misery and maximizing /pleasure and happiness. Bliss 24/7 – hedonism Epicureanism – eliminating misery and maximizing happiness. The justification of utopianism = why did plato want the republic? Justisifcation for improving human society among the Greeks? Poor always poor, always unhappy, death claims everyone - it is rational to maximize pleasure and eliminate misery. Do eternally accouding to plato. Opinions – 1. Relativism is a retreat in the 20th century. Can’t voice own opinion – can’t change the world – retreatist. Lazy persons out – often times used as avoidance. DO NOT USE AS IMMEDIATE THE POOR MANS WAY OUT OF ARGUMENT...
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...According to Conflict Theory, society is: • A struggle for dominance among competing social groups (classes, genders, races, religions, etc.). When conflict theorists look at society, they see the social domination of subordinate groups through the power, authority, and coercion of dominant groups. In the conflict view, the most powerful members of dominant groups create the rules for success and opportunity in society, often denying subordinate groups such success and opportunities; this ensures that the powerful continue to monopolize power, privilege, and authority. You should note that most conflict theorists oppose this sort of coercion and favor a more equal social order. Some support a complete socioeconomic revolution to socialism (Marx), while others are more reformist, or perhaps do not see all social inequalities stemming from the capitalist system (they believe we could solve racial, gender, and class inequality without turning to socialism). However, many conflict theorists focus on capitalism as the source of social inequalities. The primary cause of social problems, according to the conflict perspective, is the exploitation and oppression of subordinate groups by dominants. Conflict theorists generally view oppression and inequality as wrong, whereas Structural-Functionalists may see it as necessary for the smooth running and integration of society. Structural-Functionalism and Conflict Theory therefore have different VALUE-ORIENTATIONS but can...
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...Dystopia ≠ Utopia A dystopia is a fictional society, usually portrayed as existing in a future time, where the conditions of life are extremely bad due to oppression, or terror. Science fiction (particularly post-apocalyptic science fiction and cyberpunk stories set in an imaginary future world controlled by technology and computers) often feature dystopias. Common traits of Dystopian fiction: The setting is the future, but often with contemporary social trends taken to extremes incorporated on purpose. A hierarchical society where there are unbending and definitive divisions between the upper, middle and lower class Society is conditioned to fear the outside world, and one of the methods for achieving this is the restriction of information and freedom. A corrupt authoritarian and totalitarian government creates or sustains the poor quality of life This government makes people believe that society is proper and just, even perfect. State propaganda makes citizens worship the state the leader of the state and the government. There is strict conformity among citizens and the general assumption that having opinions and individuality is bad The penal system often employs psychological or physical torture Violence, cruelty and aggressiveness are always present. Dystopias are frequently written as warnings, or as social satire, criticizing a current trend, norm or political system. In order for the dystopia to have an effect on the reader, the author uses characteristics...
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...HISTORY AND THEORY STUDIES FIRST YEAR Terms 1 and 2 Course Lecturers: CHRISTOPHER PIERCE / BRETT STEELE (Term 1) Course Lecturer: PIER VITTORIO AURELI (Term 2) Course Tutor: MOLLIE CLAYPOOL Teaching Assistants: FABRIZIO BALLABIO SHUMI BOSE POL ESTEVE Course Structure The course runs for 3 hours per week on Tuesday mornings in Terms 1 and 2. There are four parallel seminar sessions. Each seminar session is divided into parts, discussion and submission development. Seminar 10.00-12.00 Mollie Claypool, Fabrizio Ballabio, Shumi Bose and Pol Esteve Lecture 12.00-13.00 Christopher Pierce, Brett Steele and Pier Vittorio Aureli Attendance Attendance is mandatory to both seminars and lectures. We expect students to attend all lectures and seminars. Attendance is tracked to both seminars and lectures and repeated absence has the potential to affect your final mark and the course tutor and undergraduate coordinator will be notified. Marking Marking framework adheres to a High Pass with Distinction, High Pass, Pass, Low Pass, Complete-toPass system. Poor attendance can affect this final mark. Course Materials Readings for each week are provided both online on the course website at aafirstyearhts.wordpress.com and on the course library bookshelf. Students are expected to read each assigned reading every week to be discussed in seminar. The password to access the course readings is “readings”. TERM 1: CANONICAL BUILDINGS, PROJECTS, TEXTS In this first term of...
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...Lennon such as this, one is likely to get their throat cut, regardless of the angle one takes. Any article on John Lennon is political non-stop unless you were one of the ‘Apple Scruffs’ (Beatles groupies) who came in through their bathroom window for a shot at one of the Fab Four. For one to understand Lennon: The Activist, one should first consider the formative years of his life. This essay will investigate the personal and cultural influences that led to Lennon’s activism – both political and for peace – as well as an in-depth analysis of four of Lennon’s most political songs. In September 1980 he talked about his family and his rebellious nature: Part of me would like to be accepted by all facets of society and not be this loudmouthed lunatic musician. But I cannot be what I am not. Because of my attitude, all the other boys' parents ... instinctively recognised what I was, which was a troublemaker, meaning I did not conform and I would influence their kids, which I did ... I did my best to disrupt every friend's home ... Partly, maybe, it was out of envy that I didn't have this so-called home, but I really did ... There were five women who were my family. Five strong, intelligent women. Five sisters. Those women were fantastic ... that was my first feminist education ... One happened to be my mother ... she just couldn't deal with life. She had a husband who ran away to sea and the war was on and she couldn't cope with me, and when I was four-and-a-half...
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...Technology vs. Guns: The Unseen Side Effect Gun control is a topic that is at the tip of every politicians tongue in today’s society. With mass shooting seemingly on the rise it is no wonder why many are in an almost frantic mental state to find the cure for this pandemic. Any sane person can tell you that it is a great idea to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and the mentally unstable, but the question remains of how? With the aid of computers and a mass network of online information, many pro gun control advocates are pushing for laws that require more stringent background checks with the use of these online databases. But what if these same technologies that may help us regulate the ownership of firearms, also lead to a more easily access to firearms in the future? And will more laws for gun ownership make the country a safer place? First and foremost, do gun control laws work? According to the statistics it would seem to be so. But in order to grasp the issue fully, it is imperative to first look at the existing gun control laws that are in effect. There are numerous laws both at the federal and the state level restricting the sale, purchase and use of guns. Although they may vary from state to state there are basic federal laws that are in place nationwide. These laws include that no person convicted of a crime can own a gun and also that a person must be 21 or older to purchase a handgun. One of the laws having the most profound impact recently...
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...Utopia? In the past decades numerous books have been banned over several issues or concerns that the book have implied within the text. One good book that was written during the depressions hit the sensitive spot for society and therefore sparked a controversy. The following book was based on social, political, economic and scientific issues that was happening at the time. It was controversial through some literature authors who were against such text. Brave New World is set in future-London 632 A.F. (After Henry Ford). The society is set as utopian times. Humans are produced in assembly lines and are manipulated right away after being born. They develop a hatred for books and flowers or anything that is ordinary in our world that brings...
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