Podcast Summary
Exploring Utopian Ideas Amidst Uncertainty: The 'Nice Try' podcast delves into the history of utopian communities, highlighting their failures and the human desire to create perfect societies
The new podcast "Nice Try" from Curbed and Vox Media Podcast Network explores the concept of utopias and the attempts to create perfect communities throughout history. Host Avery Truffleman shares stories of people who have tried to design better worlds, but inevitably, these designs don't go as planned. The podcast covers various types of utopian communities, from suburban developments to more unconventional ones. The timing of the podcast, during a time of societal unrest and uncertainty, makes the exploration of utopian ideas even more intriguing. The podcast's first season, "Utopian," covers the story of Biosphere 2, a failed attempt to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Despite the belief in Silicon Valley that failure is necessary for growth, the embarrassing failures are often swept under the rug and not openly discussed. The podcast offers a fascinating look into the human desire to create perfect societies and the inevitable challenges that arise.
Understanding the role of failure in utopian societies: Failure is a necessary part of progress, but it's essential to acknowledge the potential consequences and complexities of human relationships in utopian societies.
The integration of failure into the idea of progress, as often portrayed, can be both healthy and misleading. While it's essential to learn from failures and view them as stepping stones, it's also crucial to acknowledge that true failure can have profound and lasting consequences, as seen in historical examples like Jamestown and Biosphere 2. Utopian societies, which are built on the belief in human perfection, often overlook the inevitability of change and conflict. Studying these societies has highlighted the importance of democracy, negotiation, and governance in dealing with the complexities of human relationships and the inevitable challenges that come with large groups of people. In essence, understanding the role of failure and the limitations of human nature in utopian societies can provide valuable insights into the human condition.
From Utopian Ideals to Capitalist Enterprises: Utopias require hard work to maintain and come in fits and spurts, from communal living to well-set tables, the pursuit of happiness is an ongoing journey.
Utopias, whether they are communities or companies, are complex and require hard work to maintain. The discussion highlighted the example of the Oneida commune, which started as a free love cult but evolved into a successful company. While some aspects of the commune, like its communal living and ideals, may have faded, the name and brand continue to exist. This transformation from a utopian ideal to a capitalist enterprise is a common theme in the history of utopian experiments. Moreover, the idea of utopia being a constant pursuit of happiness and wellness, with no feeling being final, was emphasized. The speaker suggested that utopia comes in fits and spurts and is hard to achieve and maintain. In our daily lives, we can find small utopias, such as the comfort and joy of a well-set table, which can bring people together and create moments of happiness. So, in essence, the pursuit of utopia is an ongoing journey filled with challenges and rewards. Whether it's in the form of a commune, a company, or a well-set table, the key is to recognize the hard work and dedication required to create and maintain these moments of harmony and happiness.
The Founder of the Oneida Community's Personal Struggles Shaped Its Development: John Humphrey Noyes' interpretation of the Garden of Eden story and personal struggles led him to establish a utopian commune focused on communal living and free love, reflecting the impact of individual experiences on societal movements.
John Humphrey Noyes, the founder of the Oneida Community, was a socially anxious and religiously tortured young man who was deeply affected by his interpretation of the Garden of Eden story and his own sexual desires. Seeking answers, he enrolled in the Yale Theological Seminary and discovered perfectionism, a Christian belief that focused on inner nature rather than external actions. However, Noyes' personal struggles continued to shape his life, leading him to establish a utopian commune with over 300 followers, where they experimented with communal living and free love. Despite his complex past, the story of Noyes and the Oneida Community is a reminder that personal experiences and beliefs can significantly influence the development of communities and societal movements.
John Humphrey Noyes: Achieving Sinlessness on Earth: John Humphrey Noyes, expelled from Yale Theological Seminary, gained fame for his teachings on sinlessness and formed a community of believers in Vermont.
John Humphrey Noyes, a man deeply troubled by feelings of impurity and sin, gained fame in the late 1800s for spreading the radical idea that sinlessness was achievable on earth. He became an influential figure in the perfectionist movement, which rejected the Calvinist and Puritan beliefs of original sin. Noyes' teachings, largely spread through the written word, attracted followers who craved a new relationship with God. His beliefs, which included a unique perspective on sex as a divine energy, were controversial and led to his expulsion from the Yale Theological Seminary. Despite this setback, Noyes continued to spread his message, ultimately forming a community of believers in Vermont. His teachings provided relief for those seeking freedom from the burden of sin and material possessions.
The belief in transformative power of sexual relationships within a complex marriage in the Oneida Community: The Oneida Community, led by John Humphrey Noyes, believed that holy marriages could lead to a connection with God and potentially stave off death, but complications arose when members had mutual attractions towards each other's spouses, leading to the concept of complex marriage and eventual scandal
Within the context of the Oneida Community led by John Humphrey Noyes, there was a belief that sexual relationships, as part of holy marriage between two people, could lead to a powerful connection with God and potentially stave off death. However, complications arose when Noyes and other community members developed mutual attractions towards each other's spouses. Despite initially agreeing to keep their feelings to themselves, Noyes and Mary Cregan eventually gave in to their desires and entered into a complex marriage, which later extended to include more couples. This idea of complex marriage, where all members were equal and engaged in heterosexual relationships, was based on communal decision-making and constant reflection. However, when the existence of this 10-person couple was discovered, it caused a scandal, leading the group to relocate to upstate New York. Overall, the belief in the transformative power of sexual relationships within the context of a complex marriage was a defining aspect of the Oneida Community.
