Blueprints for Utopias

17 snips

Apr 9, 2025

Guest

Jess Deaver

Guest

Liam Young

In this engaging conversation, Jess Deaver, an architect and professor at Texas Tech, reveals how science fiction fuels innovative and empathetic design in her students. Liam Young, a designer and filmmaker from SciArc, shares his vision for training architects to craft immersive worlds in film and games. They discuss the shifting perspectives on utopia, the role of architecture in a changing climate, and even ponder the feasibility of floating cities. Together, they inspire a hopeful outlook on future urban landscapes through creativity and imagination.

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ANECDOTE

Bradbury Building's Sci-Fi Roots

The Bradbury Building in LA was inspired by a 19th-century utopian sci-fi novel called Looking Backwards.
Its architecture influenced the dystopian aesthetic of Blade Runner decades later.

INSIGHT

Imagination Limits on Positive Futures

People visualize climate disaster futures easily but struggle to imagine successful climate solutions.
Jess Deaver highlights our imagination blockage limits envisioning positive futures.

ADVICE

Plan Cities for Centuries Ahead

Cities should think about 100- and 200-year master plans, not just 20-year ones.
Futurists can help planners think beyond current limitations to envision radically different futures.

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Looking Backward

2000-1887

Edward Bellamy

In 'Looking Backward: 2000-1887', Edward Bellamy presents a vision of a future socialist utopia through the eyes of Julian West, a young Bostonian who falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 and awakens in the year 2000. The novel describes a society where industry is nationally owned, goods are distributed equally, and there is no need for money, police, military, or lawyers. Bellamy's vision includes advanced technologies such as radio, television, motion pictures, and credit cards. The novel is a critical examination of 19th-century capitalism and advocates for a society based on equality, cooperation, and the brotherhood of man.

I, Robot

Isaac Asimov

This book is a fixup collection of short stories that tell the history of robotics from its inception to a future where robots are integral to society. The stories are framed by Dr. Susan Calvin, a robopsychologist, recounting her experiences with various robots and the complexities that arise from their interactions with humans. The collection introduces Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics and delves into themes of morality, psychology, and the social implications of creating intelligent machines. The stories feature recurring characters such as Dr. Calvin, Powell, and Donovan, and explore how robots interpret and comply with the Three Laws, often leading to unexpected and thought-provoking outcomes.

The Year of Living Biblically

One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

A.J. Jacobs

In this book, A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long experiment to live according to the Bible's rules as literally as possible. Raised in a secular Jewish family, Jacobs delves into the world of religion to understand its relevance in modern life. He follows over 700 biblical rules, from the well-known Ten Commandments to the lesser-known laws such as avoiding clothes made of mixed fibers and stoning adulterers. The book is a humorous and profound account of his journey, where he interacts with various religious groups, including Amish, Hassidic Jews, and evangelical Christians. Jacobs' experiment leads to surprising insights and personal growth, challenging his initial skepticism about religion and highlighting the complexities of biblical literalism[1][3][5].

The Year of Living Constitutionally

One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning

A. J. Jacobs

In 'The Year of Living Constitutionally', A.J. Jacobs embarks on a year-long journey to understand the U.S. Constitution by living as closely as possible to its original meaning. He engages in various adventures such as carrying an 18th-century musket, asserting his right to free speech with handwritten pamphlets, and participating in Revolutionary War reenactments. The book delves into the debates between originalism and living constitutionalism, offering insights into the Constitution's impact on modern American life and the ongoing debates about its interpretation. Jacobs' experiences highlight the benefits and challenges of adhering to 18th-century laws in the 21st century, providing a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Constitution's role in American democracy.

Accidental Intelligence

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Brian Chafin

Artificial Wisdom

Thomas R. Weaver

Futility Town

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Thomas R. Weaver