utopia time/ measurement info... -- utopia2000

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 20:30:16 11/08/00 Wed
Author: Joey Spector
Subject: utopia time/ measurement info...

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to provide you all with our research on the lunar/tidal cycles. Since this is an city floating above the water, the association
with the tides, I think, is still relevant. What do you think?

As for the previous questions, from the language group- from our research, you'll definately be able to pull out important phrases-
obviously "moon", "cycle", signs for each phase of the moon, high tide, low tide, etc... If you eventually come up with hand symbol drawings, we can incorporate them into our presentation of the time diagram or chart...let us know. My group is meeting Sunday... We'll discuss the 3 other questions and get back to you.

Thanks

CONCEPT: UNDERWATER UTOPIA OF UNKNOWN NAME

Location:

Utopia would be set underwater, within the structure of a coral reef. Exact location would probably be in the Pacific Ocean area East of the Austrailian coast, preferably closest only to small, remote islands. The Cook Islands seem to be a good location, because they are the fartherst from Austrailia, possibly the Palmerston or Aitutaki area. Other possibilities include the Fiji or the Marshall Islands (which are closer to Austrailia). See attatched gif images.

Main reasons for choosing the underwater setting:

-The town would be hidden from the rest of the world.
-In removing members of our society so much from the way of life they are used to, and in completely reformulating their physical everyday way of life, people will be naturally more inclined to a total reformation of their ideological/moral/spiritual way of life. Had we settled an unknown land/ island, there would be more of a natural inclination to revert back to the ideals/morals of dystopic society.
- The sea would provide enough natural resources to our society that we could be nearly entirely self-sufficiently: fish, aquatic plants, seweed to produce fibers, microbes to use in medicines biological "recycling"

Main reasons for choosing the reef setting:
-They provide excellent natural resources for our utopia, see below facts.
-They would physically protect and fortify our city structure.
-They occur in remote, but shallow areas allowing our society access to sunlight (0-30 meters deep)
-They are not easily navigated by ships.

Coral reefs are among the most ancient of ecosystem types, dating back to the Mesozoic era some 225 million years ago. Modern reefs can be as much as 2.5 million years old.

Although they cover only a tiny fraction (less than 0.2%) of the ocean's bottom, coral reefs capture about half of all the calcium flowing into the ocean every year, fixing it into calcium carbonate rock at very high rates.

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Although tropical rainforests contain more species than coral reefs, reefs contain more phyla than rainforests. Phyla are large groupings of organisms that are thought to be related. Covering less than 0.2% of the ocean floor, coral reefs contain perhaps 1/4 of all marine species. New studies indicate that biodiversity on coral reefs may be even higher.

Despite their limited area, coral reefs may be home to up to 25% of the fish catch of developing countries or 10% of the total amount of fish caught globally for human consumption as food. Reefs are also extremely valuable as breakwaters.

A new focus by pharmaceutical firms and scientists on coral reefs as a source of new medicines may generate a new form of sustainable development in coral reef areas.

Basic City Structure:
-Huge spherical, interconnected bubble-like environments would be built, mainly out of unbreakable glass. Other structural materials utilized would be the calcium carbonate rock produced by the reefs.
-The basic design of the entire city would be based on the idea of utilizing technology along side of nature not against it, therefore, the structure would be built around and within the coral.
-Tubes would provide link to above sea-level, to provide a oxygen filtration system, and to collect solar energy from just below the water's surface.
-Energy sources would be generated from natural sources such as hydropower, solar power.
-Bubble environments could be heated to exact temperatures needed for the activity that the bubble is used for (living, farming, etc...) Pretty much would exist as any comfortable, dry interior environment.
-Spaces would be designated for both communal and private use, but there is no private ownership of the space. There is no currency.

Time:
-Our Utopia's everyday schedule revolve around a new system of time based on the lunar cycle and the tides. There is no "month" or "week" or "years" time is only marked in moons (one moon ago, six moons from now, etc...) which is approximately a 28 day cycle in terms of our current system.

-Tidal cycles contain two high tides and two low tides each day. The closest equivalent to our current "day" will be known as a "motion" in our Utopia. This is equal to the time from hightide to hightide (approx. 12 hours and 25 minutes). One motion would be spent as the waking hours, and the following motion would be spent sleeping. (????Other idea would to have one motion equal to the time from high tide to low tide,6 hrs, 12.5 min, in a routine where people would sleep and work for shorter more frequent intervals- this may be more relaxing, but also harder to keep track of)

-Time will be looked at as simply a natural occurrence like the weather, or the wind. Traditional birthdays and holidays will not be celebrated. The importance and stress of time and deadlines in present society will not have much importance in our utopia. Instead age will be marked by full tidal cycles (the time it takes for tides to repeat the same pattern of tides) which is approximately a period of 18.6 years according to our current system. The point in a person's life where they reach another full tidal cycle will not be seen in terms of aging, but as a benchmark in the cycle of their own life. The first tidal cycle a person reaches in their life is marked by a rite of passage, as outlined in the Education section.

-Why would Choices and Community events would be based on the lunar phases?

"The succession of the seasons provides us with the great cycle we call the year. The next most important biological cycle would appear to be the twenty-eight-day lunar month. Though we moderns reckon our calendars by solar months, that is really only a bookkeeping convenience. Many animal behaviors are dominated by the phases of the moon, by the cycles of its waxing and waning: more and more human behaviors and biological processes are now considered to be affected either directly or indirectly by lunar periods... Yet we don't live our lives in accordance with this knowledge of the importance of cycles in our physiological well-being"

John Bleibtreu, The Parable of the Beast.

Certain phenomena recur at regular intervals, often referred to as cycles. Life itself is a symphony of rhythms and cycles. There are solar and lunar cycles in weather, earthquakes, tides and volcanic eruptions. There is a synchronicity shared by all of these phenomena so much that the solar-lunar linkage, including life, can be considered a single unit.

We would have to close our eyes to many observed affects of the lunar cycle and lunar phases that can be seen in numerous life forms.These effects occur in fish, shellfish, insects, mammals (including humans), and plants. For example, shellfish renew their shells, undergo regeneration and sexual activity in accord with the lunar tidal cycle. Guppy-fish have a color sensitivity on their back that is most responsive during Full Moon, and least responsive at New Moon.

The primary human experience affected by the phases of the moon is the female menstrual cycle. Just as the moon takes 28 days in its cycle so do most women as they travel through their menstrual cycle. Coinciding our utopian time system with female menstruation, would regulate and unify the biological emotion phases each individual is going through, allowing both sexes to better understand each other and live more harmoniously.

The Lunation Cycle process is basically a description of the birth, maturation and death cycle that all things must go through. It is a basic Law of Life whether it is applied to a living organism, an idea, an emotion or in this case the cycle of the Moon in relation to the Sun. The cycle is repeated over and over and over again, and each time the cycle is replayed we would hope that there has been progress and a new level of evolution attained.

-What are the lunar phases and how would they structure our society?
New Moon - The Moon's un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse). This is a time of new beginnings and new undertakings. It can be a starting point for kicking that bad habit, or simply beginning a project. Put ideas in motion, become engaged, make long term relationship plans. This is a time when efforts will grow visible.

**In our utopia, this is the beginning of the work period.

Waxing Crescent (First Crescent) - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing. This is a time of regeneration. At this stage there is still very little distinction between the instinctual unconscious and the creative consciousness but a move forward has been made and a sense of committment to that forward movement is integral.

**In our utopia, the work period moves forward during this stage.

First Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing. This is a time when things seem to reappear, things lost are found. . This time promotes action, action to create a structure in the new direction that has been set forth by the previous Moon phases. A person in this stage must be courageous and forward looking, not thinking about the past, all their energy needs to go into the pioneering quality.. the action.

**In our utopia, this is the height of the work period.

Waxing Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing. This phase is basically about perfecting and refining the structures that were set up in the previous phase. There is a natural analytical and evaluative quality to this phase. They must overcome any physical resistances and obstacles in achieving their goals, and realise that they can and must refine and perfect the plan as they manifest it into concrete reality.

**In our utopia, this is the conclusion of the work period.

Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight.
A time of heightened feelings. Not a good time for major decisions for they will be colored with emotional debris. Do not seek medical treatment, inoculations, operations are at its least favorable. Wounds bleed more, and the formation of scar tissue is more pronounced. People here are learning to use their minds, realise meaning, become even more objective rather than the subjectivity of the dark moon phases.

**In our utopia, this is a period devoted to more hedonistic activity. Festivities and art events will be held. Time to let loose.

Waning Gibbous (Disseminating Moon) - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. A time to review endeavors and correct mistakes. Settle disputes and make amends. Here we see that a life can be lived in a meaningful way and that this message and sense of meaning can be conveyed to others ; a sharing of the sense of meaning. This is a time for communication, working with others, and raising the consciousness of society.

**In our utopia, this would be the time for our community meetings.

Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. A time to rid oneself of everything that is causing obstruction, to get rid of anything (or one) you know longer need. Re-evaluation and re-organisation are important here. This is a very contemplative inward turning phase, like a turning away from the purely objective and the return to the instinctive, where sense of purpose is still unknown.

**In our utopia, there would be no work during this time, reserved for evaluating what was said at meetings, looking ahead, and planning.

Waning Crescent (Balsamic Moon)- The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. Time for self-analysis, rest an recuperation, meditation and readying oneself for the energies of the New Moon. Whatever has been learnt during the entire cycle or lifetime is now distilled and condensed.

**In our utopia, this phase is set a side as a total rest period. Meditation and relaxation are encouraged.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]