User:Ananke

I have just proposed creating a new wiki here named Utopia : a place for the exposition and discussion of the various notions and concepts of "ideal" places throughout history, their influence or lack of it upon actual human societies and further speculation on their roles in the future. It would also include a places for discussion of the famous dystopias, and historical attempts to establish societies on particular notions of utopian principles. It could perhaps be a place where users could present some of their own ideas as well, on what "utopian" ideals are worth pursuing, and how some of them might be implemented in the real world.

It could start with a base of seed articles largely derived from Wikipedia, but grow to include many artistic depictions, user essays on various visions of "The Great Good Place" in various legends, myths and fantasies, and permit many POV speculations and assessments which would not be appropriate on such a project as Wikipedia.

from Wikisource.org:

Kubla Khan
OR, A VISION IN A DREAM. A FRAGMENT. by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1816)

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea.

So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round: And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.

But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A savage place! as holy and enchanted As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted By woman wailing for her demon-lover! And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing, A mighty fountain momently was forced: Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail, Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail: And 'mid these dancing rocks at once and ever It flung up momently the sacred river. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran, Then reached the caverns measureless to man, And sank in tumult to a lifeless ocean: And 'mid this tumult Kubla heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war!

The shadow of the dome of pleasure Floated midway on the waves; Where was heard the mingled measure From the fountain and the caves.

It was a miracle of rare device, A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice!

A damsel with a dulcimer In a vision once I saw: It was an Abyssinian maid, And on her dulcimer she played, Singing of Mount Abora.

Could I revive within me Her symphony and song, To such a deep delight 'twould win me, That with music loud and long, I would build that dome in air, That sunny dome! those caves of ice! And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.

Written in late 1797 or early 1798, but not published until 1816]