Recently a group of college graduates released plans to develop a utopian society on an island secluded in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the Florida coastline. The 5-mile wide 10-mile long, somewhat hexagon-shaped island was owned by a graduate’s grandfather, who passed it down to him upon his death. Enormous rocks surround three fourths of the island providing only one harbor that can be accessed. This allows for easy protection and close monitoring of who leaves and enters the island. With gas prices at an all time high, chaoses brewing in the government, and high crime and poverty rates, founders feel that this society is necessary for there to be any change and any hope for a promising future. The utopian society (to be later named) will strive to provide citizens with the experience of an unsurpassed quality of life.
The selection of citizens will be made through an application process. Applicants must be a college graduates, be able to pass a thorough medical and psychological exam, and have no criminal record. Diversity is required to keep the island mostly self-sufficient, so applicants from all fields are encouraged to apply. Although it is predicted that the island can accommodate approximately 1,200 citizens, plans for the actual design of the city will not be determined until after all citizens have been selected. It will then be custom built for its citizens and their needs. Due to the price of fuel, houses will be positioned near each citizen’s office. Solar panel cars and mopeds will be used when needed to venture on the outskirts of the city and will be available at the Town Hall.
Laws will be minimal and will only be created to establish order and provide a list of responsibilities for each citizen. Each citizen must maintain a clean business and home, work at least 5 hours a day Monday through Friday, and help with the upkeep of the island. A schedule of those duties will be posted once the island is in working order. Basic traffic laws will apply to the use of cars.
Because everyone will be working the same amount of time and contributing equally, money will not be necessary. Everyone will be given equal assets. When needed, those items will be replaced. If the island cannot produce a product that the island needs or collectively wants, products produced by the island will be sold in Florida and the needed or wanted items will be purchased. Wanted items must be within reasonable limits.
It will be customary that every one attend the Sunday island-wide entertainment hosted near the harbor. Religious groups will then be able to meet at a designated area along the beach and have their worship services. Afterwards, the town will unify as one, regardless of religion, and celebrate the week together.
Underwater steel barricades and former US soldiers positioned along the harbor will serve as protection for the island. In the center of the city, there will also be an impenetrable bomb shelter. If there is any threat to the city, all citizens will be evacuated from their homes to the shelter.
With every citizen’s effort, this utopian society is very possible. With less government, a population of dedicated and hardworking citizens, fewer laws, equal responsibilities, religious tolerance, and adequate protection—life on the island will become what every other country strives to be.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contract
Be sure to scroll down and read the Overview and Violations sections.
What if someone "goes off-track"? Will you have a police force of some kind?
What if a building burns? Will you have a fire department of some kind?
How will you handle violations of the social contract you are setting up for the utopian society?
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Further ideas for customs can include holidays to be celebrated, national dress, and other items related to patriotism and the like.
The founders of the utopian society on the island in the Gulf of Mexico have outlined several key components and plans for this society. Here are the highlights:
1. Location and Access: The island is secluded in the Gulf of Mexico, close to the Florida coastline. Its size is approximately 5 miles wide and 10 miles long, with a somewhat hexagon-shaped layout. The island is surrounded by enormous rocks, providing only one accessible harbor for entry and exit. This ensures easy protection and close monitoring of who enters and leaves the island.
2. Selection Process: The selection of citizens for the utopian society will be done through an application process. Applicants must be college graduates, pass thorough medical and psychological exams, and have no criminal records. Diversity is encouraged, with applicants from all fields welcome. The island is estimated to accommodate about 1,200 citizens.
3. City Design: The actual design of the city will be determined after all citizens have been selected. It will be custom-built to meet the needs and preferences of the citizens. Houses will be positioned near each citizen's office to reduce the need for commuting. Solar panel cars and mopeds will be available for residents to use when necessary.
4. Minimal Laws: The society will have minimal laws, only aiming to establish order and provide a list of responsibilities for each citizen. These responsibilities include maintaining a clean business and home, working at least 5 hours a day from Monday to Friday, and participating in the upkeep of the island. Basic traffic laws will also apply to the use of cars.
5. Economic System: Money will not be necessary within the utopian society. Everyone will be given equal assets, which will be replaced when needed. If the island cannot produce a required or desired product, the island's own products will be sold in Florida to acquire the needed items. Reasonable limits will be set for wanted items.
6. Community and Worship: It will be customary for all citizens to attend the Sunday island-wide entertainment near the harbor. Religious groups will have a designated area along the beach to hold their worship services. Afterward, the town will come together, regardless of religion, to celebrate the week as one unified community.
7. Protection: The island will have underwater steel barricades surrounding the harbor, along with former US soldiers positioned for protection. Additionally, there will be an impenetrable bomb shelter in the center of the city. If there is any threat to the city, all citizens will be evacuated to the shelter.
With fewer laws, population of hardworking and dedicated citizens, equal responsibilities, religious tolerance, and adequate protection, the founders believe that life on the island can become a model society that others strive to emulate.