Utopian Technology 

Technology Is Neutral

Technology is not by its nature dystopian. Like nature, it is unbiased. Tools in themselves are neutral as regards morality. Any tool can be used for evil purposes.

Blaming or praising the Internet is like blaming or praising the pen. Don't outlaw tools because a building collapsed.

And vice versa. Even bombs could someday have a good use such as the destruction of a planet-threatening meteor.

Dwellings

Utopian abodes would have a minimum size according to a healthy persons-per-volume ratio, perhaps 1 per 7500 Cu. ft.

Many might prefer Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome homes. They are very efficient in terms of heating, cooling, lighting, strength, construction costs etc.

Cooperative neighborhood home building would be popular a with, for example, Habitat for Humanity.

The reader should envision a utopian dwelling--a mental picture of his present dwelling plus many improvements

Many utopian homes will be places of business and education. Each will be connected to the world data stream with fone/computer/cable-TV/recorder home electronix complex.

Computer smoke alarm could be connected directly to fire station and homeowner's car. These devices are part of the larger family pocket-phone communication system.

These also might include a tiny 'lojack' beeper safely and painlessly implanted in children to aid in finding them if missing.

Transportation

Solar-electric pedal-cars could provide exercise while driving. Most Utopian would prefer moderate exercise over totally-passive driving.

In-car compact disks could informationally and musicay support pedal-driving. (Use of present-day solar cells needs to be reviewed in terM8 ~ the envtronmentat costs to manracwre [nem.)

Many m3ifi hi' ghvgys vould have data strips embedded in each traffic lane for computer-assisted driving.

Electronic Communities and Clusters

An electronic community would b. a group of Utopians who voluntarily connect for some agreed-upon purpose. An electronic cluster would be a randomly assigned group.

Each Utopian knows that he or she needs both community and e cluster. One cannot take the responsibility for all pereonal educational decisions. Specialists are needed as well.

Many Utopian families would hive computer bulletin boards connecting cousins and aunts, Ct al. Local modem libraries provide CD-ROMS of encyclopedias. dictionaries and libraries of novels. useful household technical data. such as energy conservation Lips. etc. Personally controlled information and entertainment systems would proliferate. Humans are always hungry for information.

Electronic Voting

Electronic Town Meetings, monthly, for ill votes. Votes are made by telephone. All TV channels carry it. The e town meeting qualifies as an electronic cluster.

First and foremost. Utopian governments would insure individual access and control of technology.

Science & technology would not be permitted to become excuses for authoritarian schemes and would be recognized for their utter importance to the quality of lile and the solution of moral problems.

Government uses pre-tested Computer Assisted Decision Making whenever possible.