Alternatives to Utopias and Dystopias

Imagine the coziness of living in a utopia where home locks are obsolete. Now, imagine the stress of existing in a dystopia where individuals fight for their survival. Both societies sound intriguing, right?

If you are a speculative-fiction writer like me, you may sometimes struggle to choose an imagined society for your narrative. As I brainstorm ideas for a fictional universe for my fantasy or science-fiction tale, I think about where my setting falls along the spectrum from utopia to dystopia. Through research and rough drafts, I realized that I prefer to avoid depicting an extreme utopia or dystopia in favor of a more nuanced backdrop. 

My research led me to the following imagined societies, but there are several others.

• Utopia: Sir Thomas More, an English lawyer and statesman, introduced the term “utopia.” In his 1516 book Utopia, More featured a fictional island called “Utopia.” Since then, a utopia has represented an ideal place where life is not only peaceful but also pleasant.

• Dystopia: English philosopher John Stuart Mill invented the term “dystopia” to contrast “utopia.” In an 1868 speech, Mill used the term “dystopia” to denounce a land policy. Over time, the term “dystopia” evolved to represent a dysfunctional or disastrous place marked by injustice, oppression, or suffering. 

• Protopia: Writer and editor Kevin Kelly introduced the concept of “protopia.” In a 2011 blog post on The Technium, Kelly described “protopia” as a state that gets better. A protopia can be the setting for a story in which progress causes unexpected problems. The thrill comes from the synthesis of solving problems and maintaining realistic hope. 

• Ustopia: Margaret Atwood, the Canadian author of the speculative-fiction novel The Handmaid’s Tale, coined the term “ustopia,” a portmanteau of utopia and dystopia. In a 2011 essay published by The Guardian, she stated that an “ustopia” is “the imagined perfect society and its opposite.” She explained that each society contains “a latent version of the other.”

• Thrutopia: Philosopher and climate activist Rupert Read introduced the term “thrutopia” in the context of writing about climate change. In a 2017 essay published by HuffPost UK, Read wrote, “Thrutopias would be about how to get from here to there.” A thrutopia is an effective way to ground a story about a community recovering from a crisis (economic, environmental, moral, political, technological, etc.).

With these imagined societies in mind, let us turn to my tips for using them.

1. Decide if your imagined society will be a destination or a journey. While a utopia can be a destination, a thrutopia can be a journey. Is your setting dynamic or static?

2. If you decide to write about an imagined society as a destination or an outcome, it can be anywhere from a heaven to a hell. A utopia is conducive to a thought experiment as it can provide ideas and inspiration. A dystopia works well for an allegory (a story that uses symbolism to present a message) or a cautionary tale because it can explore the dark side of humanity or offer a social critique. For example, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel published in 1953, explores book burning. Whether you choose a controlled or free state for your setting, what does your imagined society look like? What does it value? Does it prize beauty, diversity, equality, freedom, peace, or prosperity?

3. Add conflict or tension to your imagined society. A conflict can test the rigidity of a class structure, the stability of a government, or the will of a community. Does your protagonist rebel against laws or social norms? Does your antagonist defend the status quo?

As we develop our stories’ settings, we can be intentional and innovative about how they embody specific levels of optimism. This kind of planning can help us design universes that challenge our protagonists, who may serve as stand-ins for our readers. In this way, it may prompt our readers to reflect on their principles or even engage in philosophical discussions with others. 

Yes, by tinkering with the frameworks of imagined societies, you may be able to invent your own type. While you shape your setting’s contours, you may enjoy being immersed in your new realm, whether it is a garden or a galaxy. That sounds like an adventure out of a writer’s heaven!