Space! Or No?

My question for the day comes from the debate between Lauren and her father, applied to a modern-day debate. Is it feasible to think about starting to colonize other planets with over population continuing to occur? Or is it better (an more cost efficient) to find new ways to create a comfier, healthier way of life on Earth without making any of the populace uncomfortable or putting them in a ‘bad position’ (this could mean a number of bad things depending on which scope you’re viewing from).

Dogs

pill friends - wearing my dead dog's skin

i want to kill or to be killed
i pet my dog as i slit his throat
i skin him whole and i wear his furs
to school for looks now i feel good

i want to kill or to be killed
my dog licks me as he sinks into my meat
good boy he wears my tattered skin
to church for looks now they all know
i trust in hell

The parasitic relationship that humans have with dogs in this dystopian world has me thinking about the overwhelming lack of companionship and warmth is present within dystopian dogs. When we are unable to care for the things in life that give us comfort, such as cleanliness, dogs, and even a stable source of water, they become terrifying or their potential use is completely transformative. Dogs become something to fear, something to kill, and something to wear.

Bonus points for this song mentioning church, and school, for that matter, which both seem to be incredibly valuable to the neighborhood. Looking dirty and wearing filthy dead dog skins is a safe bet in not getting beat up. "I trust in hell" speaks to both the complicated relationship this book has with God and the state of affairs, playing on the term "In God We Trust," the motto of a state that seems to now have no concern for the livelihood of most people within in. 

credits

What Makes a Utopia?

While reading, I found myself thinking about the objectives and purposes of the worlds presented within the Utopia's we've seen. In Brave New World, people are decanted and bred for specific roles, and they are clean, safe, and sterile within their boundaries. The overwhelming drive behind their world is to live for pleasure and order. In The Caves of Steel, their New York City is run by a desire to live collectively and sustainably within their own bubble, however limited or dangerous that may be. Parable of the Sower, however, seems rooted in necessity, poverty, and survival. Lauren brings forth a lot of philosophical questions that not only reveal her current utopia, but one that she envisions for the future.

So, do Utopias stem from the thoughts and idealisms of the few or of the many? And what does the author reveal by the subtle (or unsubtle) forces at play within their world-building, as I mentioned above? So far we've been privy to Lauren's construction of an Earthseed philosophy that dithers on change. How is change important to Utopia - both in the ones we've seen (as used as contrasts to something bad or lesser) and the one(s) we strive for in our own reality?

https://sites.google.com/a/depauw.edu/the-parable-of-the-sower/_/rsrc/1472852703182/earthseed/strong__caring_hands_by_Rin_Uzuki.jpg?height=257&width=320

"Important things buried in the yard"

Parable of the Sower is very similar to Frank Hubert's Dune in that the story being told is from the past and the blurb before each chapter is from something in the present setting. The ending will probably be the beginning of a catastrophic event that eventually causes Lauren to grow up, mature, and preach her 'religion' that she is creating in the confines of this cul-de-sac she's in. Keith is a little shit, not going to lie, because he can't see the forest for the trees, or in this case, the borders of the cul-de-sac for the Earth. This story is a unique utopian story because it focuses on two things that weren't focused on before, like how, as Prof MB said best, utopian ideas come from individual people, and the other thing focused on is religion. The shift in perspective in general is a breath of fresh air.

Water, Water Everywhere nor Any Drop to Drink

Water is an essential part of human existence, yet it’s a rarity in this society. Lauren’s father wants an expensive baptismal even though he can’t afford it (11). The astronaut’s trip to Mars is considered a waste of time when the people on Earth are lacking such an important resource (15). Water has become more expensive than gasoline. Being dirty is fashionable because “If you’re clean… people think you’re showing off” (16). The neighborhood won’t bother calling the fire department when Amy Dunn starts a fire because no one can afford the expense (28). No one believes the radio report of an incoming storm (41).

The lack of water represents a lack of genuine, fulfilling life in Lauren’s society. Everyone is poor and miserable without this necessity. Lauren’s desires to leave reflect the desperation for water, or, symbolically, life. She reads survival books as she plans to leave home in the hope of finding, or creating, new life because her society is dying. “Nothing is going to save us,” she says. “If we don’t save ourselves, we’re dead” (51). Indeed, the authority figures aren’t doing much to provide life/water to society.

Earthseed

Lauren's development of Earthseed in contrast to the religion of her family is very interesting. Lauren's father seems to have a fairly traditional and structured approach when it comes to their world. He is a character that clearly strives for stability and order. At the beginning of this story Lauren, along with others, is getting baptized which is a very traditional practice. From this, we start to see how Lauren begins to pull back from the ideas of her family. Throughout this reading, it became clear that Lauren is a character who prioritizes actions so it makes sense that her religion would be one that is based on change instead of absolutes. This sense of urgency is illustrated by her thoughts of impending doom she longs to prepare for. This contrast between Lauren and her family could be due, in part, to unshared experiences. For example, Cory remembers and misses the view of city lights whereas Lauren has no recollection of city lights so instead she favors the stars.

https://godischange.org/earthseed/

The Role Space

One thought that stuck with me throughout my reading was the role of space in this particular future. Is space a potential solution to problems on earth? If so who would benefit from this solution? What portion of the population would these efforts actually help? Or is it more likely that space functions as a distraction and prevents progress that could have a greater effect?