From Nowhere: Utopian and Dystopian Visions of our - Chris J. Young

governments to create fear and to enforce conformity among its citizens. Case 9 looks at the role of
science and technology in the creation of new humanoids, the construction of futuristic societies, and
the inventions of mechanical and biological tools that could be used for both utopian and dystopian
undertakings. The exhibition ends with Case 10, North of the 49th Parallel, which witnesses how both
bright and dark futures for Canadian society have been envisioned, based on Canada’s unique history
as a nation built upon diversely rich cultures and languages across such vast plains of forest, lakes, and
snow. Finally the search for utopia continues outside of the works of literature housed within Fisher
Library, as the afterlives of utopia now found in media such as comic books, movies, and video games, are
highlighted.
While this exhibition proves that utopian and dystopian visions are not new to humanity, having existed
for thousands of years, it is hoped that utopia, the vision of a better life, and dystopia, the spectre of a
worse one, are integral to human nature, and will always be so until we reach that penultimate utopia or
dystopia. As Oscar Wilde once famously said:
A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at,
for it leaves out that one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when
humanity lands there, it looks out, and, seeing a better country, sets sail.
From Nowhere: Utopian and Dystopian Visions of our Past, Present, and Future 13