Bill: What's Utopia?
The Doctor: An imaginary perfect place.
Bill: This isn't imaginary.
The Doctor: I bet it isn't perfect either.
The Doctor: An imaginary perfect place.
Bill: This isn't imaginary.
The Doctor: I bet it isn't perfect either.
— Doctor Who, "Smile"
"There's always a catch to these utopias."
—Greg Universe, Steven Universe, "The Zoo"
"Sometimes, it seems like the world looks all right. Like they put a coat of paint on it. But inside, it's rotting to pieces."
—Caleb Nichols, Westworld
“Enyis reached the city of Golden Flowing Water, which was at the time the most brutal domain in the world. For spitting in public there, one could lose a finger. It was a thirsty, conquering city that took many slaves, enjoyed the whip, and worshiped the sword.
Enyis was surprised to find the streets sparkling clean and orderly. The buildings were well constructed, airy, and it was scattered with well tended gardens redolent with many colorful flowers.
‘They must enrapture you with splendor,’ said the Boar King, who had noticed Enyis’ confusion. ‘Otherwise, you might look down and notice the blood-matted beast who shoulders this city, and your mind will fill with unpleasant truths.'”
Enyis was surprised to find the streets sparkling clean and orderly. The buildings were well constructed, airy, and it was scattered with well tended gardens redolent with many colorful flowers.
‘They must enrapture you with splendor,’ said the Boar King, who had noticed Enyis’ confusion. ‘Otherwise, you might look down and notice the blood-matted beast who shoulders this city, and your mind will fill with unpleasant truths.'”
You probably think this world is a dream come true. But you're wrong.
—The Cat, Coraline
