Peter Thiel, Paypal founder and Facebook investor, wants to build a utopian society free from government control. For anyone who doesn't know, a "utopia" is a perfect community or society. It's literal meaning is from the Greek combination of terms no and place, or NoPlace, to mean that it is an ideal that can never truly exist.
A libertarian society is probably the closest set of political and moral beliefs that could mimic this ideal. The libertarian platform is based on maximum freedom with limited government interference. Thiel got the idea for creating this type of environment from former Google engineer, Patri Friedman. Patri is the grandson of Milton Friedman, the Nobel Prize-winning economist who stressed the importance of free market economies, again with minimal government intervention.
The Perfect Islands
Logistically, the islands would be built on oil-rig-type platforms based in international waters. There would be no regulation, no laws and a free-will system of morality and ethics. Think anarchy with positive intentions. Thiel's goal is to house tens of millions of residents by the year 2050. In the event of an emergency, an attack, extreme weather conditions or other random acts, the 12,000-ton island structures could be moved by diesel-powered motors.
Utopian Structure
Friedman's ultimate goal is to experiment with new government structures. He believes that our current systems are not working and thinks that a society built upon entrepreneurial principles has a better chance of success. Some of the changes Thiel is proposing for his utopia are:
- No welfare.
- Looser building codes.
- No minimum wage.
- Few weapons restrictions.
As an openly gay man, a wealthy business person, and a Libertarian, Thiel has concrete motivations for seeking a society free of restrictions. He's probably not thrilled about the idea of radicals Michele Bachmann or Rick Perry taking over leadership of the U.S. in 2012.
The idea of a utopia goes as far back as Plato and was explored in literature in 1518 by Sir Thomas More. However, the models proposed by the late philosopher and author presented radical viewpoints that were required in order for a utopian society to function. For example, in More's book, slavery was common practice and it was viewed as necessary to keep society running smoothly. While sentiments have certainly changed in the last 500 years, any society still requires hard labor, i.e. ditch diggers, to function and flourish. Without protectionist minimum wage laws in place, it's unclear where Thiel thinks this labor will come from.
Initial plans are in effect and the first utopian enclave is set to exist in just one year. It will be an office park off the coast of San Francisco. The plan also calls for the first settlements to be build within seven years.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 13
I'm intrigued by the idea of new places where more social experimentation might be possible, and even encouraged, but at the end of the day, I think it's likely that these "utopian enclaves" will simply serve as offshore playgrounds/tax-havens for the rich or ocean-going feudal manors.
Well said Nippy.
The question is ... what is it that keeps, or that we "think" keeps our own society from being "Lord Of The Flies"? How much is the normalcy of average existence to blame for people not looking - not thinking - not acting in their own interests - or even thinking about their own interests?
The authoritative source of information on this project is The Seasteading Institute, which has an FAQ addressing the most common objections the project encounters, including libertarianism or utopianism. In particular, seasteading is a peaceful attempt to improve governments, by allowing like-minded people the opportunity to experiment with new social and political systems. It doesn't encourage one type of government or another.
It's also much more realistic than this article portrays it to be. Seasteading is starting with a barge anchored 24.1 miles off the coast of California, in close proximity to Silicon Valley, and right outside the US territorial waters. The ship will sail under a flag of convenience just like cruise ships, and will allow professionals without a US work visa to legally work very close to Silicon Valley. That is a huge advantage for startups, or any high-tech company that wants to thrive off the innovative climate in Silicon Valley.
More at blueseed.co
>> ships, and will allow professionals without a US work visa to
>> legally work very close to Silicon Valley. That is a huge
>> advantage for startups, or any high-tech company that wants
>> to thrive off the innovative climate in Silicon Valley.
Blow the thing out of the water and send it to the bottom of the ocean.
This needs to be disallowed right quick, strongly and firmly. I am not
losing a penny of salary because sellouts from all over the world want
to come play in Silicon Valley - the hell with them, the hell with any
company that employs them or transports them.
If there is nothing said in these many articles in person, clear and concise by the leader, the owner of these things, translation is that there is nothing good planned here for anyone, just another ENRON for the world to bail out or pick up after.