Do you ever wonder what the near future is going to be like? Do you worry about it, or look forward to it, or experience a combination of mixed emotions? I have always been interested in what the future holds and recently I came across the words Protopia and Eutopia. I was curious to find out what these terms meant and how these ideas might affect my life, those around me and the planet. When contemplating current and future societal states, I came across four terms: Utopia, Dystopia, Eutopia, and Protopia.

Protopia is a term coined by futurist Kevin Kelly, envisioning incremental progress in societies, emphasizing the freedom of individuals to actively work towards improving life. It stands in contrast to Dystopia, where societies are trapped in recurring patterns of suffering, and instead a more nuanced and dynamic approach to societal transformation.

Utopia refers to a state of cultural and political perfection, often depicted as an unattainable ideal where society reaches its pinnacle. It implies a journey from the current "bad" state to a future "good" one, laden with ideological connotations and visions of utopian societies. Eutopia a newer term, denotes "the good place," aiming to replace Utopia. However, like Utopia, it faces challenges of being static and subjective in its definition of "good," potentially leading to differing interpretations and unattainability.

In books, movies, pop culture, news and media, dystopian themes are widespread. I questioned if consuming all this dystopian material, perpetuated a sense of inevitable doom, causing individuals to disengage from shaping the future and feel unhappy as result. If you were to ask someone, what their hopes and dreams were for the future, they might say that they have aspirations for career success, personal growth and meaningful connections, along with a collective desire for a positive, safe, sustainable and progressive world.

I feel that imagining a Protopian world and taking action can positively impact an individual’s well-being and contribute to societal progress. Envisioning positive change motivates individuals to set goals and fosters community engagement, strengthening social bonds. Creative thinking leads to innovative solutions, and having a vision provides a sense of purpose and belonging. When shared visions are translated into action, collective efforts address societal issues, creating tangible change and a better world for all to live in.