Utopia Today

(Sorry to jump back so far but this has been mouldering in the back of my mind for a while now.)

Thinking about Utopia, even today we're still a long way off.  But it isn't an even progression.  In some ways we have achieved parts of Utopia.  

Certain aspects of Utopia can actually be found in our culture.  We certainly have a lot more leisure time now than they did when this book was first published.  Six hours of work a day for seven days a week gives 42 hours of work per week, very close to the 40 hour work week expected here in the US.  And while it is debatable how well a family can live on that income, it is undeniable that we are closer to that aspect of Utopia than we used to be.  Leisure and free time activities are a large and thriving part of our daily lives.

Education is another facet of Utopia we mirror.  In the US, a child has access to basic education no matter how poor his family may be.  Admittedly, the quality of education varies drastically from place to place, but it's still a step in the right direction.  And with all the information available at libraries, on the internet (if you know how to sort through the misinformation) and all of it for free, anyone with drive, discipline and an internet connection can become an expert in any of a wide variety of fields.

I'd like to know what other people think.  Obviously, some aspects of Utopia are basically obsolete or generally undesirable, and we're still a ways off on others, but would you agree that we have achieved Utopia in a few areas of life?  Are there any parts of Utopia existing today that I overlooked?

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