Visions of the future – Mindmap für die mündliche Prüfung in Englisch
Dystopia
Utopia
main features:
-dystopia: an imagined state or society in which the re is great suffering or
injustice, typically one that is totalit arian or post-apocalyptic (post-apocalyptic
fiction: a subgenre of science fiction, science fantasy, dystopia or horror in which
the Earth's technological civilization has collapsed)
-modern technology→ surveillance, science&technology are abused/misused
-totalitarian (=relating to a dictatorial one-party state that regulates every aspect of
life (often dictatorship)) regime/empire; suppression
-pessimistic vision of the future
characteristics of a dystopian society:
-use of propaganda to manipulate the citizens of a society
→ psychological manipulation, physical control & language as mind control
-poverty, discrimination, violence and bad living conditions in general
-mass
-restriction of information, independent thoughts and freedom
-a figurehead or concept is worshiped by the citizens of the society
-constant surveillance and control of citizens→ no privacy
-citizens have fear of the outside world, oppression of the individual
-no culture life/feelings→ living in dehumanized state
-decline (=Niedergang) of values, religion and humanity
-distrust and banishment of the natural world
-uniformity governs all aspects of life, private property is abolished, individuality
and dissent are not given (=Meinungsverschiedenheit in Bezug auf bestimmte
Fragen)
-separation into classes
-gap between the rich and the poor
-social mobility is non-existent
-society as an illusion of a perfect utopian world
→ people living in a dystopian world/society often perceive their world as utopia
→ tragic hero who realizes that he is living in a dystopia
characteristics of dystopian politics:
-are often characterized as one of several types of mostly authoritarian
governments and political systems (communism, capitalism, totalitarianism,
bureaucracy and other forms of political, social, oppressive and economic control)
-lack of democracy, civil rights and individualism
-governments assert great power over the citizens and are portrayed as oppressive
-usually the state is in control of the economy
types of dystopian control:
Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control a nd the
illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following
types of controls:
-corporate control: a, or more than one, corporations wield total control over
society, and help to enforce their i deologies through propaganda/advertising,
products and/or media
-bureaucratic control: society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy
characterized by com plicated official rules, unrelenting regulations and
incompetent government
-technological c ontrol: society is controlled by technology—through computers,
robots, and/or scientific means
-philosophical/religious control: a dictatorship or theocratic government enforces
a philosophical or religious ideology that controls society
Utopia
&
Dystopia
main features:
-utopia: a place, state/society or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of
politics, laws, customs, and conditions; the people don‘t have to be perfect, but the
system
-peaceful government
-safe environment
-civil liberties
-economic system that doesn‘t favor a certain group
characteristics of an utopian society:
-equality, happiness, peace, safety
-access to education, healthcare, employment etc.
-information, independent thought, and freedom are promoted
-figurehead or concept brings the citizens of the society together, but not treated as
singular
-citizens are truly free to think independently
-citizens have no fear of the outside world
-citizens live in a harmonious state
-the natural world is embraced and revered (=angenommen und verehrt)
→ safe, favorable environment
-citizens embrace social and moral ideals, individuality and innovation are
welcomed
-the society evolves with change to make a perfect utopian world.
types of utopian ideas:
Most utopian works present a world in which societal ideals and the common good
of society are maintained through one or more of the following types of beliefs:
-Ecomonic ideas: Society evolves toward an equal distribution of goods, the
abolition of money and unpleasant or forced labor. Society enjoys an increased
value attributed to arts, sciences and individualism.
-Governing ideas: Society is controlled by citizenry in a largely individualist,
communal, social and sometimes libertarian “government”. The term government
is used loosely, as power is seen to corrupt, so constructed government systems are
warned against.
-Technological ideas: technological utopian lifestyles would be those that replace
human needs or functions with technology in such a way that humans have a
higher quality of life.
-Ecological ideas: Back to the nature, humans live harmoniously with nature and
reverse the effects of industrialization.
-Philosophical/religious ideas: Society believes in a common religious
philosophy, some fashion their surroundings around the biblical Garden of Eden.
In inter-religious utopias, all ideas of God are welcomed. In intra-religious utopias,
a singular idea of God is accepted and practiced by all citizens.
utopian elements in today‘s world:
-access to education, healthcare, employment and so forth
-in many countries you have the right to vote democratically
-advanced technology enables many things, such as communication between
people from all over the world
-medical equipment as good as never before
definitions:
→literary reactions to social and technological changes: utopia
and dystopia
-the therm ‘utopia’ was first used by Thomas Moore in 1516 and
makes a play on two Greek words: eu-topos (good place) – denoting
a region of happiness and perfection, as well as ou-topos (no place)
– naming a region that does not exist anywhere
→ optimistic description of an imaginary future society
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-the term ‘dystopia’ (bad place) has come to be applied to works of
fiction which present a very negative imaginary world, thus
replacing the older term ‘anti-utopia’.
→ dystopian stories project current negative tendencies in society
and politics into the future, they are usually meant as a warning and
present an imagined state/society where extreme problems, inj ustice
and suffering is portrayed
→ pessimistic description of an imaginary future society
dystopian elements in today‘s world:
-technology is rapidly replacing jobs
-society that is characterized by a high consumption and shopping
addiction
-resource scarcity is growing
-reliance on new technology and science (many risks)
-social networking sites reduce our privacy (Facebook, Instagram,
Snapchat, etc.)
-web surfing and spending habits are monitored
-cameras at every corner (Big Brother is watching you)
-a lot of our steps are controlled
-dehumanized things through genetic engineering live savior sibling
climate change
-many totalitarian states (dictators)
-consumption of drugs is a huge problem
