College of
Business
Administration
College of
Business
Administration
Mutant Message Down Under
Facilitated by: Scott Burns and Brad Heintz
1. Does the society of the "Real People" represent a Utopia? If so, what elements are present which satisfy classic Utopian characteristics? If not, is it a "Good Society"? Why?
2. According to the "Real People", the ills of the mutants' society (such as disease and crime) are the result of how we live (example: processed food, lack of exercise and little contact with the natural environment). If we were to only use only what we need and give back to the environment others would not have to go without.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement ? If you agree, does this mean that you believe our resources would be endless if we lived differently ? Would this living "differently" be good for everyone? If you disagree, what conclusions do you draw about the planet's resources, how they should be used, and how they should be distributed?3. Taking into consideration your answer to the above question: what does this say about human nature? What are we capable of? Can we guide planetary evolution or do we have no control over our destiny?
4. The "Real People" accuse mutants of being fearful, materialistic, and insecure. They say very few actual seconds of their lives are spent developing their "eternal being". Is this so? If so, why?
5. The "Real People" believe that everything has a purpose. "There are no freaks, misfits or accidents, only misunderstandings and mysteries not yet revealed to man." Does everything really have a purpose ?
6. The businessman on the plane said in response to the author's story, 'No one knew these people existed. So what if they're leaving! Who cares? Besides, it's their ideas against ours. Can a whole society of people be wrong?'
Is their extinction really that meaningless? How can a whole society be wrong? How can insight from the story be applied to the mutant world ?7. What stands out as the most lasting impression/message from this book? What significant event, occurrence or message do you believe? What significant event, occurrence or message do you reject ?
8. The "Real People" discusses the divine oneness as God. A feature of classical utopia is humanism. Does the idea of a deity conflict with utopia?
9. The "Real People" state that you have either faith or fear, not both. Is this true? Are the two mutually exclusive exclusive ?
10. Is this "Real People" world a utopia? Would you want to live in it?
11. How do the real people handle diversity or conflict?
12. DO the lives of the real people have "meaning"? How or how not ? How does one define meaning?
Questions 1-7 have been adopted from the notes prepared by the following people: Terrina Chicchetti, Sabine Edwards, Marc Raab, Tiffany Volk
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