In “Dystopias Now,” Kim Stanley Robinson categorizes thinkers into four groups based on their attitudes towards utopias and dystopias: dystopian thinkers, utopian thinkers, anti-utopian thinkers, and anti-anti-utopian thinkers. Based on my understanding of Robinson’s essay, I would classify myself as an anti-anti-utopian thinker. This means that I sees both utopian and dystopian possibilities in our future, and believes that we should strive towards creating a better world while remaining aware of the potential for things to go wrong. One example that supports this classification is Robinson’s discussion of climate change in the essay. He acknowledges that we are facing a dire situation, with potentially catastrophic consequences if we do not take action. However, he also suggests that we have the capacity to address the problem and create a better future. Another example is Robinson’s emphasis on the importance of collective action and cooperation in creating a better world. He argues that we cannot rely on individual efforts alone, and that we need to work together to create a better future. In contrast, a dystopian thinker might argue that our future is bleak and there is little hope for improvement, while a utopian thinker might focus exclusively on the positive possibilities without acknowledging the potential for things to go wrong. An anti-utopian thinker might emphasize the potential for unintended consequences or negative outcomes in our attempts to create a better world.
