We have read or come across ample books and movies discussing societies with dystopian elements- zombie apocalypse, major corporations taking over the world with capitalist ambitions. Dystopian literature or movies act as a warning to stop us from what we are doing by stating the consequences. Examples are, Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, and the cinematic representation of The Matrix and Blade Runner. This article contains information about dystopia vs utopia.
On the other hand, we have a society that is too perfect to be true, called Utopia. It is can be seen as a fairy tale land with happily ever afters. The term was first used by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 novel, with the same name. The ideal state of being, where the society possesses a perfect socio-political system is utopian. There is freedom of speech, and equality among citizens and it is a safe, habitable environment.
But in today’s world, we are closer to a dystopia vs utopia. Dystopia has widespread appeal among the masses owing to its harping upon our deepest fears – a loss of life, liberty, and happiness. Bureaucratic control or corporate control commands the masses of society. Society is controlled by technology, as is seen in Matrix, Mr. Robot, and Terminators.
Central to all dystopian tales, we have a protagonist who is an outcast and a visionary. He / She has a punk attitude, that is, raising questions to topple or overthrow the establishment. With this, we enter into the cyberpunk genre, which can be summed up in four words- “High-tech, Low-Life”. The inability to cope with technological advancement underlines the problem of dystopian societies.
Dystopia vs Utopia Dichotomy?
The dystopia vs utopia dichotomy is so relevant in today’s world. We live in a world more akin to dystopian elements but our desire to be in a platonic or utopian space drives us. The ideals and morals are buried deep and what we see around us is a capitalist regime. The contributions of the cyberpunk genre to the dystopia vs utopia notion are significant. Most evidently, the “Cool Japan” ethics were hired from Japanese anime, manga, movies, and the Hong Kong cityscape.
Thirty-six years after the release of William Gibson’s “Neuromancer”, the world has robots, and high-performance humanoid prototypes, including personal assistants and autonomous cars. Yes, we are far from the Matrix brain implants, but prostheses are not rare but very much real. Technology has helped to reduce borders and brought us all near. But with great power, comes great responsibility! The real world is not far behind the cyberpunk depiction of societies- the current violence is comparable to adventures in the Shadowrun campaign. Does this prove cyberpunk is now: dystopia vs utopia?
Dichotomy Subletting Into Fashion?
This dystopia vs utopia dichotomy finds another breeding ground in the fashion industry. The 1900-1950s era saw dehumanization by authoritarian governments and technology give rise to fashion for freedom and self-introspection, most profoundly surrealist and off-beat fashion. Next, the hi-tech means such as cyberpunk style and designs used electronic elements. Ongoing environmental issues were also addressed by designers in their art creating designs symbolic of messages on environmental concerns, using hi-tech fabrics or mechanical devices. Dystopian fashion in a nutshell thus sought to face contemporary problems and find alternatives to cope with the situation.
If dystopian vs utopian fashion entices you, and you are dazed by the cyberpunk bug, your one-stop destination should be cyberpunk shopping websites. High-quality fabrics coupled with cyberpunk aesthetics are sure to blow your mind. From mirrored sunglasses to magnetic black hoods, everything is available. The products are highly durable and functional, for example, their baggy pants with strategic pockets or one-shoulder women’s bags. It’s all utility but not devoid of a cyberpunk attitude. Their techwear is equally appealing and once you lay your eyes upon their products, you might as well buy the entire collection. So make haste while the sun shines as the Night City awaits your rave fashion looks.
The unevenly distributed future riddled with massive opportunities becomes an escape for cyberpunk into dystopia vs utopia. Dystopia is nothing but the bounded structures of utopian space. This barrier represents the transition from present to future.