Quality Of Life

First check out;
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105068620
(Thanks SeeNew)

Is Utopia even possible?
Or is it even desirable?
What is Utopia for one group is usually a living hell for another.
The above lifestyle can only be accomplished by another group having to be subjugated.
There is a need to have workers and those who will enjoy the fruits of another man's labors.
Not everyone can be millionaires - otherwise the economy based on money becomes worthless.
And this is seen as "progress".

Or we could use a modern Japanese village model.
No mega-plex movie theatres, no malls, no dependence upon more than we can produce.
Balance.

But how many people (already used to the comforts of our modern society) would choose this lifestyle?
Is it easy to force this lifestyle on those with control over the armies to fight against it?
Or is it easier to fight against this lifestyle with the tools of modern society?

Mr Ford's mistake in Brazil, Hannibal's mistake during the Punic wars, George Bush's mistake in the Middle East, and my own mistake in dealing with my tenants - was in overestimating the value of "strength" - and underestimating the value of each man's (or culture's) desires.

If the man, country, culture or any group is not ready to make the changes - the changes can't be made.
And when the choice comes down to doing what is best and doing what is comfortable - comfort usually wins.