this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2024
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The best ones are thoughts that many people can relate to and they find something funny or interesting in regular stuff.

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 55 points 1 day ago (3 children)

No, because a Utopia is a Utopia for everyone or it's not a Utopia.

[–] brygphilomena@lemmy.world 0 points 1 hour ago

Utopias are inherently dystopian in they only work when everyone wants the same things and everyone is bound by strict rules. There is no such thing as a utopia.

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Interesting concept. Kind of like “is it really heaven if people you didn’t like while you were alive are also there?”

Utopia can never be utopia for everyone because some people will want hierarchy and superiority over others. So with this requirement, utopia cannot exist. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t :D

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 2 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

"Utopia" doesn't mean everyone gets what they want. People can want things to be worse while still living in a Utopia.

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I agree with your more sensible definition but it is a slippery concept.

It’s a bit ambiguous what it means to say:

unless it’s Utopia for everyone

Is it Utopia “for” someone if it isn’t their idea of Utopia? Seems like you are saying yes.

But if yes, then as long as current conditions meet anyone’s definition of utopia, then we’re all living in one.

Which brings us back to the OP.

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

But if yes, then as long as current conditions meet anyone’s definition of utopia, then we’re all living in one.

No, Utopia has a defined set of meanings. If current conditions meet someone's definition of Utopia, but doesn't meet the defined set of meanings, it doesn't mean current conditions are Utopia.

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

Where exactly is this defined meaning?

utopia (noun) an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

According to Oxford Languages it is very much in the eye of the beholder and not objectively defined.

[–] FooBarrington@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

Let's go with the Cambridge definition:

a perfect society in which people work well with each other and are happy

The Oxford Languages definition is incomplete enough to not be a valid counter argument - "perfect" doesn't mean everyone 100% gets what they want. The only sensible interpretation is "perfect" from a societal perspective.

[–] tomcatt360@lemmy.zip 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Utopia means "no place" so all utopias, by definition are imaginary.,

[–] NegentropicBoy@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Yes!

"The word utopia was coined in 1516 from Ancient Greek by the Englishman Sir Thomas More for his Latin text Utopia. It literally translates as "no place", "

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia

[–] sho@ani.social 4 points 21 hours ago

This the etymology yes.

"But it now usually describes an ideal society that is considered better than contemporary society."

So, as you can see we're not in ancient greece, are we? "Buzz lightyear smug squint"

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So, when people say they'll be happy in utopia, they're unintentionally making a depressing dark joke?

[–] TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

They are essentially saying that they would be happy in a place that does not exist. Doesn’t exclude the possibility that happiness could still be found in a place that does.

[–] Slovene@feddit.nl 6 points 1 day ago
[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 35 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You better start believing in cyberpunk dystopia Miss Turner. You're in one!

[–] cmbabul@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Do we at least get cool cyborg bodies that last longer and cool advanced tech?

[–] WillowForest@lemm.ee 7 points 16 hours ago

No, but we have shitty A.I videos that will probably spread propaganda on Facebook, so nearly just as good!

[–] valaramech@fedia.io 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Best I can do is cyber-psychosis and some shit from 10 years ago

[–] cmbabul@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Goddamn it Rick you swindler

[–] IndustryStandard@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago (1 children)

After 1 billion the billionaire wants 2 billion.

You can rest soundly knowing these people too will never be happy.

[–] ivanafterall@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

The handful I've encountered up-close-and-personal are legitimately miserable. Nice trips, sure. Nice stuff. But the opposite of "joyful" in a very obvious way.

[–] antonim@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you're thinking of American right-wingers and fascists who are currently celebrating Trump's victory, I must say their view of the world is so dark, negative and pessimistic, that nobody could really describe it as utopia-like. This is a brief respite for them, nothing more.

If you're thinking more abstractly, or of some very specific incredibly lucky people, then I guess it could be so.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 0 points 1 day ago

Clearly not...

[–] Arbiter@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

This planet belongs to the ants, we are just their NPCs.