We are not used to seeing a strong, self-sustaining, and modern indigenous nation like this. The entire area has been divvied up among European powers and American military. I would be interested to see how Maui would have retained its identity while modernizing to move with the pace of the world… or elected not to.
It’s hard because the system incentivizes it. Would any of us in Obamas position make the more altruistic decision? It’s hard to say we would. But if we had a system that protected the land from being used in that way we wouldn’t. In other words, we should change the system, not hope people will behave better within a bad one!
Lol, I certainly wouldn’t, because that beach house of his looks fantastic! But there in lies the problem.
But I don’t know if the system incentivizes it. Humans like living in luxury by the sea. I think it’s human nature.
Also, I know I’m always bringing up Three Body Problem, but your Advisor character reminds me of the character Sophon in Death’s End, the third book in series; she’s an all knowing ai embodied as a beautiful Japanese woman robot, created by the aliens to manage earth.
Yes, you're right. It's probably human nature. But the fact that we're allowed to means we will haha!!!
Ok I looked into the Three Body Problem and it seems like there's a lot I'd like about it in theory, but I'm also not a hard sci-fi kind of person. I much prefer fantasy worlds. But that makes me feel like maybe I WOULD like it???
Yes. That’s right! Humans... we are unruly whenever allowed.
Interesting on not loving sci-fi. I wouldn't have guessed that. Three Body is very sci-fi, but also historical, philosophical, and fantastical, plus elements of multi-generational family drama and existential horror, the stuff of nightmares. Once you read it, you cannot unsee it.
So, yeah, I'd say give it a go. To me, the series is a work of creative genius.
And speaking of Obama, he even blurbed one of the books... said it was "Wildly imaginative."
This is a beautiful story, Elle! The best you wrote so far and I can see it turning into a whole novel. Your utopian novel. 😁
I love that you wrote a story for your own writing prompt! 😄
So glad that you picked up on the ancient practice of not owning and exploring the lands but being its stewards, taking from nature only as much as we need, maintaining it for generations to come. Our world would indeed be a different place if we would’ve kept that worldview.
I really enjoy your story and the short summary of Hawaii’s history. Well done 👍
I love the idea of eradicating land ownership so it was fun to imagine what that might look like today. And actually, I borrowed the land rent system from Singapore :)
So glad you loved it!!!!! This was my first attempt at short fiction and I was so nervous about it!
We are not used to seeing a strong, self-sustaining, and modern indigenous nation like this. The entire area has been divvied up among European powers and American military. I would be interested to see how Maui would have retained its identity while modernizing to move with the pace of the world… or elected not to.
I would be very interested in that too!
Love this and it raises an important question—can we ever have utopia when people will never stop wanting giant beach houses.
Just look at Obama’s house on Maui, it’s really all one needs to see to lose faith...
It’s hard because the system incentivizes it. Would any of us in Obamas position make the more altruistic decision? It’s hard to say we would. But if we had a system that protected the land from being used in that way we wouldn’t. In other words, we should change the system, not hope people will behave better within a bad one!
Lol, I certainly wouldn’t, because that beach house of his looks fantastic! But there in lies the problem.
But I don’t know if the system incentivizes it. Humans like living in luxury by the sea. I think it’s human nature.
Also, I know I’m always bringing up Three Body Problem, but your Advisor character reminds me of the character Sophon in Death’s End, the third book in series; she’s an all knowing ai embodied as a beautiful Japanese woman robot, created by the aliens to manage earth.
Yes, you're right. It's probably human nature. But the fact that we're allowed to means we will haha!!!
Ok I looked into the Three Body Problem and it seems like there's a lot I'd like about it in theory, but I'm also not a hard sci-fi kind of person. I much prefer fantasy worlds. But that makes me feel like maybe I WOULD like it???
Yes. That’s right! Humans... we are unruly whenever allowed.
Interesting on not loving sci-fi. I wouldn't have guessed that. Three Body is very sci-fi, but also historical, philosophical, and fantastical, plus elements of multi-generational family drama and existential horror, the stuff of nightmares. Once you read it, you cannot unsee it.
So, yeah, I'd say give it a go. To me, the series is a work of creative genius.
And speaking of Obama, he even blurbed one of the books... said it was "Wildly imaginative."
This is a beautiful story, Elle! The best you wrote so far and I can see it turning into a whole novel. Your utopian novel. 😁
I love that you wrote a story for your own writing prompt! 😄
So glad that you picked up on the ancient practice of not owning and exploring the lands but being its stewards, taking from nature only as much as we need, maintaining it for generations to come. Our world would indeed be a different place if we would’ve kept that worldview.
I really enjoy your story and the short summary of Hawaii’s history. Well done 👍
Wow!!! Thank you so much Claudia!!!!!!!
I love the idea of eradicating land ownership so it was fun to imagine what that might look like today. And actually, I borrowed the land rent system from Singapore :)
So glad you loved it!!!!! This was my first attempt at short fiction and I was so nervous about it!