Hello Families and Students!

I am so sad that today is our last day of Utopia v. Dystopia, but I have had such an amazing week with y’all! I have been blown away by the depths of our discussions and very impressed with how y’all handled our simulations and real-life scenarios, such as supply chain issues, market failure, economic disaster, natural disasters, foreign invasion, international trade, resource allocation, etc., as well as some of our more creative and fun situations. What do you mean, Mr. Leo the Laser Shooting Unicorn is invading and demanding an equal share of power, or 30 percent of our population wants to start their own country? WHAT DO WE DO?

During our morning session, we looked at a few more examples of dystopian-turned utopias. We read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (surprise!) and discussed the grey society devoid of memories in The Giver. We learned a little bit about 1984 by George Orwell and revisited Animal Farm, also by Orwell. We also discussed and watched a few brief clips from movies and TV shows such as The Matrix, Hunger Games, Divergent, and All Summer in a Day. So what is it that makes a Utopian ideal turn into a Dystopian reality? And is it the nature of power to corrupt and become corrupted? Ask your student what conclusions they have come to, especially after facing difficult state decisions themselves!

In the afternoon, we learned about the functions and branches of the U.N. and what they do on an international level. We began to work through what kind of negotiating power our city-states would have once recognized by the U.N. and prepared for our international conference, during which we would be faced with multiple crises and civil unrest scenarios that we would have to solve together. One thing during our general assembly conference quickly became clear – some of our leaders who have seemed more benevolent up to now have a touch of the despot in them, and some of our tyrants and highly weaponized countries acted much more diplomatically and peacefully than we would have expected. It just goes to show you that what seems good and peaceful may not be under the surface, and what may seem militant or oppressive might have some value in certain circumstances. So, is a Utopian society possible? Is it even something we SHOULD strive for? That is up to you to decide as you all grow into global citizens who will influence the world in your own unique ways.

Y’all are a wonderful group of future world leaders, and I’m so thankful I’ve gotten to know you over the last week! I hope I see you next summer!

You are now exiting paradise.