Utopia in our time?

I've been playing Bioshock 2. This game is giving the initial incarnation a run for its money.  It's also making me sweat more than a little.  There have been a couple battles where I was unsure whether or not I would succeed.  But, the more I play it, the more it is driven home that a similar situation could occur in any society. Wile I was playing this, Big Guy and I were talking about the meaning of a dystopia. 

A dystopia is a utopia that, for some reason, has gone horribly, tragically wrong.  As Big Guy pointed out, the Empire in Star Wars is an example of this.  All utopias start with the best of intentions, a desire to make the world a better place, an altruistic goal. But there is always a fly in the ointment. 

I blame those things on human nature. As Hobbes said, life is nasty, brutish and short and we, as humans, make it that way.  We are all flawed and those flaws will prevent us from achieving a utopic ideal.  We will always screw it up.  For example, a communist society where everyone helps seems a great goal.  In practice, however, human greed and our desire for power will prevent us from ever achieving such lofty goals.  This is where Russia failed.  The only reason Cuba is anything close to successful as a communist society is due to the tyrannical dictatorship. 

However, despite these flaws, we try to teach our children these ideals.  "Share with each other," we say.  "Take turns."  Are we setting them up for failure and disappointment?  I'd like to think not.  By teaching our children these ideals, we are demonstrating the better, brighter side of human nature.  That is our ability to cling to hope when it seems there should be none. 

Will we ever achieve the ability to gain a utopia or will we forever be doomed to their corruption?  I think that we have the ability to rise above our nature.  If we didn't we would not have reached our current level of civilization.  But I also don't believe it will happen any time soon.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday.  I turn 21 for the 10th time!  Big Guy, with his adoration of me, bought me the special edition of Bioshock 2 and we received it last night.  I, of course, wasted no time in getting it open.

 

This is the outer cover of the box.  The special edition stuff lies beneath this innocent looking exterior.  

The box itself.  Oh joy, oh Rapture!  

Closeups of the butterfly wing and the game imprint.  

  

I then opened the box and was greeted with an LP from Rapture Records.  Yes, it came with an actual vinyl record.  It's the soundtrack to the original Bioshock Game and will likely be the only thing I don't open unless I find a record player.  

Underneath the vinyl was the art book and the rolled up mini-posters.  Those posters are going to Kinko's for laminating or to Hobby Lobby for framing.  

Lifting up the art book we find the final two items of the special edition.  On top is the Bioshock 2 Soundtrack on CD, 

The final piece in this puzzle, the Bioshock 2 game.  Be still my beating heart! 

I never anticipated to love a story as much as I loved the original Bioshock game.  The idea of it was intriguing, especially for someone who embraced and enjopyed 1984 and Brave New World.  In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that some of my favorite stories are dystopic in nature.

The story of Rapture brings you in and makes you pause.  It was started with the very best of intentions, but the gradual descent into madness and horror reflects the impact that humanity has on the best of intentions.  Philosophically, human greed will always screw up a good thing.  That's why communism and socialism will never truly succeed unless under the rule of a tyrant. 

Of course, the story involved in Bioshock also illustrates why I love literature so much.  Stories give us insight into ourselves.  Sometimes the mirror shows us things we don't want to see, but it simply reflects the darker parts we need to make sure do not take over.

End of Class Obama Love

Today is the last day of this month's class.  I'm always ambivalent about the end of class, always second guessing myself.  Did I get through to them?  What did I do well? What could I improve?  What worked?  What needs to be adjusted?  Generally, I'm pretty happy with what I've decided to do. 

Some months I feel really on top of the ball, like I've not only conquered the world but tied it all up with a neat, little bow.  Other months, I'm glad to see the end of it and if I never have a month like it again, it will be too soon.  Then, there are the months that are just blah.  They aren't spectacular, but they aren't horrible either.  They drag on and close with both myself and the students wiping their brows and sighing in relief. I think this month was close to the last category, not spectacular, not horrible and done. 

We watched the State of the Union last night, and, as befits an Obama Fangirl like myself, the man made me give happy, girly sighs when he smilingly threatened the Repubs and promised to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  Big Guy grumped through it because he hates politics.  What else can I expect from a British national though; it's inherent in his blood to hate American politics since we ruined perfectly good tea.  In all seriousness, the man said thought he was done with politics once the election was over. There's a part of me that looks at him and says: "Really?  And you've been married to me for six years?  REALLY?"  Little Guy saw Obama, said his name, and then went and played with his cars.  Apparently just seeing the President was enough politics for his night. 

However, my ADD kicked into gear once the speech started and I got my grading done but completely spaced on the laundry that I needed to get done.  Big Guy's job gave him some money to supplement his wardrobe with nicer clothes.  As irritated as I am with the way they have treated my husband, at least they gave him money to get some better clothes.  I threw the new clothes in the washing machine after the speech and tossed them in the dryer before bed in the hopes that they would smell home-like and be soft and comfortable for Big Guy's day at work.  I am not sure the man realizes how much I love him. 

 Speaking of love, I also got his gifts for Valentine's Day and his birthday next month, though I recognize and accept that they won't hold a candle to my birthday gift from him, The Bioshock 2 Special Edition set.  Even typing those words makes me woozy with anticipation.  I suspect we'll be going to get it as soon as possible (I'm pulling for waiting in line at Midnight to get m copy).  It almost makes turning 31 worth it. 

Seriously, if you don't own Bioshock, GET IT.  I cannot recommend this video game highly enough, particularly for people who enjoy books like: 1984 or Brave New World.  Go, buy it, and know the love that is Rapture.