I don't think I really like this 8-hours-of-work-a-day business. I mean, I do like my work, and I would most likely keep going even if I didn't have to do so to earn a living, but eight hours is a bit much.

If I had free reign to divide up my week days however I liked I think they might look something like this:

• 4 hours work


• 2 hours volunteering, social action, etc.


• 2 hours academic study


• 1 hour interesting, vigorous, uncompetitive exercise


• 7 hours cleaning, errands, socializing, creative work and misc. free time


• 8 hours sleep

That would be much better. All the self improvement and productivity I crave, but with much less potential for tedium and eye strain. Unfortunately, that kind of schedule really isn't an option at the moment, and may not be ever -- especially not if I want to be able to keep paying the rent for my apartment. But still. If there's value in thinking about utopias on national or international level (and I would totally argue that there is), I think there's got to be some value in thinking about utopias on the personal, individual level as well.

I would very much like to try living in a utopian commune of some sort, just for a year or two to see what it's like. I doubt I'd last longer than that -- I like modern living far too much -- but it seems like a good exercise and an opportunity to get a wholly new, and perhaps enlightening, perspective on regular life and society.

Mind you, I'm somewhat hampered by the fact that I'm not religious, am practically allergic to new age mysticism of any kind, and like nature much better in concept than in reality. Also I'm not really a fan of hard physical labor. Taken as a whole, I imagine that list of restrictions would limit the number of utopian communes I would be qualified for rather drastically. Alas.

Perhaps it's just as well, though. It's the sort of venture that should probably only be embarked upon by those who are actually willing to make a serious commitment, not just looking for cheap, low-adrenaline thrills. Most likely, this impulse is no healthier than my passing fascination with the idea of joining the army. Still... if the opportunity ever arises, I'm not sure I'll be able to say no. Utopian communes are just so darned neat.