Camelot Mini Writes

Mini-Writes: Camelot

Brit Lit

3/3/11

Mrs. Bierling

Kenyatta Taylor

Does the belief in a possibility of bringing about an ideal civilization exist today? I think not. The world today has too many problems and just not enough solutions. My idea of an ideal civilization is Utopia, and in a world that holds close to seven billion inhabitants, it's virtually impossible to achieve. A utopia of any kind would require that people put aside a large measure of self interest and address needs of the society as a whole. Unfortunately, I don't see human nature suddenly changing any time soon or any time in the distant future and while you can find individuals who are willing to love their neighbors, too many people are interested in looking out for themselves. The first reason I believe that a belief in achieving an ideal civilization is a thing of the past is because in today's time, many individuals indulge themselves in pleasures which hinder their own wellbeing's as a whole. Take alcoholic beverages for example. Consumed in excess, it can inhibit one's judgment and be detrimental to an individual's overall well-being. In severe cases it can prove fatal to the consumer, or to others who are affected solely off the actions of an incoherent individual (death due drunk driving). One could argue that a ban be placed on alcohol to resolve the problem. However, if alcohol is banned then it shows that people are being denied what in some cases may be a part of their cultural identity, which will not make for a utopia either. Besides, even if one were able to successfully ban alcohol, the drink itself would go still be used underground (just as it did during the Prohibition Era). Another reason I believe a belief in the potential of achieving an ideal civilization cannot exist is because it will take away obstacles and tribulations that are necessary experiences people need to have, to make up exactly who they are. How could you challenge the bully if there was none? How would you overcome social problems if there were none? If the world became an ideal civilization, we would live dull, fruitless lives, with no challenges, and no personal accomplishments to claim as our own. There are numerous similarities between the ideals of the United States and Camelot. The first significant point in common is each of their desire to be civilized. Both consist of judicial systems that keep the cities organized. King Arthur's goal was to use war to unify his land. Instead of using police, Arthur had Knights and wanted for a perfect place to live with world peace. However, unlike Arthur's court we have one major flaw in our society that will never go away, and that flaw is corruption. Despite all our great inventions and improvements to