“What features of this site would fit into a utopian or dystopian society?

The dream of creating a perfect world has become so much of a part of human

existence that it is known by the term: Utopia. The Idea of a perfect society can be uniquely

individual as it symbolizes individual’s hopes and aspiration. Unlike a utopia, a perfect world,

dystopia is a broken down, dark, unpleasant, oppressed and terrorized place. A dystopia reveals

the greatest fears of a society through its anarchy and chaos. Since the advent of civilization,

people have been chasing after forming a perfect society. It is because, at the heart of utopian

idealism, there is a perfected existence of human life. Throughout history, many cities and states

and have created utopian aspirations among the people. San Francisco, northern California, U.S.,

located on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay is a city where many

people see the existence of a perfect society. The most important and famous region of the city is

the downtown Financial District which serves the country as the leading financial headquarter of

the largest concentration of corporate headquarters, insurance companies, banks, and other

financial institutions. The architectural beauty, modern skyscrapers, expensive amenities,

amusement, and stable economy of the Financial District of San Francisco communicates a

perfect utopian society to many people whereas the same features create a disparity, which is a

dystopia for others because of the differences in perspectives of the people.1 It is often the case

that some person’s utopia is somebody’s dystopia.2 3

1
​#Thesis:​​ My thesis claim is detailed, specific, arguable and related to the context. I have stated a strong, precise
and central claim of my paper in my thesis statement. The statement is defensible and it answers (why?) leaving a
justification for critique.

2
​#Composition​​: This sentence clearly communicates the central claim of my thesis statement in a simple and direct
expression. There is no use of passive voice,​stilted diction, elaborate structure, and imprecision. The statement
clearly and precisely utilizes nuances of language to transmit the central idea and message in a particularly
parsimonious or subtle manner.
 The San Francisco Financial District did not rise in a day. There remains a

glorious history behind its advent. “In 1929, when the stock market crashed, and then the

financial institutions in the US were falling into bankruptcy everywhere, no banks in San

Francisco failed. As a result, the strength and optimism of this particular place exemplified in the

previous centuries. Even during the time of great depression, San Franciscans built the Golden

Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge - both of which adds varieties to the modern artistic views of the

Financial District. In the 90’s San Francisco became the new center for “Gold Rush” with

Financial District becoming the Business Center for Trade and Commerce. The rise of the

“Dotcom Business” made this place the financial headquarter of major companies”(San

Francisco Center for Economic Development). The historical glories of Financial District created

a utopian aspirations of a society perfected in the economy.4 The economy of a perfect society is

always evolving. H. G. Wells, in A Modern Utopia (1905), declares, "the Modern Utopist will, in

its economic aspect, be a compendium of established economic experience, about which

individual enterprise will be continually experimenting." The economic success of the Financial

district during the past centuries attracted multivarious businessmen and companies to believe

that a utopia exists in this heart of the bay of San Francisco. The utopian aspirations sprouted up

3
​#Organization: ​One introductory paragraph, four body paragraph and one conclusion comprises my essay. The
introduction contains the thesis statement and the central idea of the whole essay and the body paragraph justifies
the idea with proper evidence and citation.I have used a well sophisticated organization structure in order to deliver
a message in a highly effective way.
4
#evidencebased​​: My claim is that-”the historical glory of Financial district created a utopian aspirations of a
society perfected in economy”. In response to my claim, I have explained the reasons and justified effectively with
the use of evidence why my claim is valid. I mentioned about the history based on proper evidence and justified my
claim.I have also mentioned the resource from which I have picked my evidence.
companies with a phenomenal job growth in the past century. The economic success stories

during 1900 made Financial District a utopia for trade and commerce.

Today’s Financial District continues to capitalize on its brilliant workforce,

its technology and infrastructures and its incomparable quality of life to create a robust economic

place for businesses to sustain. In the Financial District, one tall building after another has been

constructed in a city for generations. Among the modern skyscrapers, noticeable are - 555

California Street, the Transamerica Pyramid, and the Le Méridien San Francisco Hotel. The

neighborhood has created a secure and romantic dream of itself—an elegant, handsome, worldly

seaport whose steer steps offers a breathtaking view of one of the world’s most magnificent bays.

The neighborhood is a perfect place to live in. It is an excellent and secure place for business,

trade, and commerce today. In ideal society ethics, morality and religion play an essential role in

the development of its communities. Although religion is not necessarily needed in utopianism,

the framework presented for the societies are similar to the religious moralities. Justifying

Financial District based on Governing ideas makes it a Utopia because today the feature of its

governance is based on libertarianism. In the concepts of Utopia, technology may be embraced to

make human life more comfortable and convenient although other ideas propose that technology

corrupts the connection between humanity and nature. In Utopia, humans live close to nature in

harmony and reverse the effects of industrialization. San Francisco Financial District is a perfect

and peaceful society to live for many individuals regarding governing, technology and ecological

ideas of utopianism. On the other hand, such a dynamic place is a dystopia for many people. To

many, this day’s Financial District is an illusion of a perfect utopian world. The most important
reason for that is the corporate control over the people working in the financial district. The large

corporations control the movement of the employees and the monetary growth of the place. The

monetary value of the whole neighborhood has reached to such a height that it is impossible for

many people to dream of living a perfect life in this ideal society. The upscale shopping malls,

amusement facilities, and restaurant are so costly that they only attract a specific class of people

leaving others unrecognized. Within the bounds of the skyscrapers and a complete sense of

disparity is grown among the majority of the people in the Financial District which is nothing

more than a dystopia for them. The technology and bureaucratic control over the people in the

Financial District make it a dystopia where freedom of actions and thoughts are controlled by a

specific group of people in the upper section of the society. The excellent infrastructure of

today’s San Francisco Financial District might seem to be a perfect society to the outsiders and a

minimum number of population of higher monetary influence, but to the majority of the people

dependent on the neighborhood, the place communicates a dystopian universe under the veil of a

perfect society.

San Francisco Financial District has some well-distinguished features. To

most people, the Financial District is a just a place to work which dies after 6 p.m. But there are

more to meet the eyes in this neighborhood other than the tall buildings and corporate spaces.

This whole place is groomed and falls in between SOMA, Chinatown and Union Square.

Besides, some of the most exquisite places to dine and chill out the entire area are filled with

century old rich history. The neighborhood has elegant parks and shopping centers that light out

till late nights and people roam around the place with enthusiasm and charms. In Today’s
Financial district there are no social anomalies, chaos, and disorders. The neighborhood provides

wide, secure and safe roads which embrace anyone who passes through this. The law and order

situation is very satisfying. The citizens living in the neighborhood have no fear of the outside

world and they live in a harmonious state in the communities. They embrace social and moral

ideas and individuality and innovations are welcomed in this neighborhood. The natural world is

embraced and protected by the people of this place. The area is clean and sound. Fresh air always

blows through the site by making their way among the tall buildings. These characteristic

features make it a perfect society for people to live and interact with its components. Hence,

making it a Utopia for many people. The social aspect is an essential theme of Utopianism. The

way men and women are viewed along with their social responsibilities also occupy the interests

of a utopian society. The Financial district is a perfect example of women empowerment.

Business women leading in corporate positions and playing an active role in the organization of

the community is predominantly visible in the Financial District. The neighborhood promotes

equality irrespective of race and class. Plato declared that “ Women are to be as free as men.”

These distinctive features of the financial district attract a utopian vision to many people in and

out of the financial district.

A dystopian society is typically the antagonist because it is actively working

against the protagonist's aims and desires. Even though dystopia is a futuristic imagined universe

which remains under a oppressive societal control, a geographic boundary might seem to a

dystopia for someone just because of the place arises a sense of disparity, depression, and

sadness within the individual. Such changes in emotions occur when the individual finds the
place to be hostile to his desires. The Financial District might appear to be such a dystopian place

for many people. Because It is true that many features and practices of this place also resembles

a dystopian society. The grey scale buildings, continuing over capitalistic and changing models

are dominantly visible in the place. Most of the corporate headquarters are located in this region.

In these offices, most of the time freedom of expression is not practiced. Propaganda is used to

control the actions of the people in these buildings. Many cases, individual creativity is not

acclaimed and the citizens are under the constant surveillance of the law and enforcement. The

growing prices of food and commodities make a certain class feel left out than the rest because it

is not their range of affordability. Inequality is also a noticeable feature in many places of the

Financial District. Technological control is predominantly visible in the entire region. Stretching

from the society to the corporate offices the uses of technology is prioritized humanity. Such

features of the Financial district fits into a dystopian society.

"Many societies are considered as utopia when in fact they are a dystopia.

Hence, the idea of a perfect society and the one which is not is basically the two sides of the

same coin. This paradoxical situation may arise from time to time because many times a society

often gives up A in exchange for B and the seemingly benefits of B may cause the society to

ignore the loss of A. It is often found that after many years the society becomes aware of the loss

of A and then the citizens come to realize which is acceptable for their society." (Dystopian

Fiction: An Introduction; John Joseph Adams; Apr 11, 2011)The same thing might happen to an

individual. To some people, a specific geographical boundary might be a utopia while it might be

a dystopia to other. Hence the coexistence of utopia and dystopia in a single society might seem
confusing but it is possible. The fact that a society might be a utopia to one and a dystopia to

another depends on the individuals’ perspectives, knowledge, income, and livelihood. As a

result, the idea of a perfect society is nonexistent because no society is fully utopic or dystopic.

San Francisco Financial District is a popular modern neighborhood with a huge importance to

the economic growth of the country. Coexistence of a beautiful natural scenery, rich culture, and

a technology hub is extremely rare and for this reason, the Financial district stands out than the

rest of the neighborhood in San Francisco. Amidst the debate of a utopia or a dystopian society,

The San Francisco Financial District stands with its own glory and will continue to flourish with

time.

( Word count: 1889)

​ References:
1. Walker, Richard. 1998. "THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT - Foundsf". ​Foundsf.Org​.
http://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=THE_FINANCIAL_DISTRICT​.

Provides an elaborate description on the history of San Francisco Financial District starting
from the 19th century. Addresses the steady progress of the Financial District through the
mention of different times and photo illustration from the past. Includes image of the location and
different parameters to clearly present the formation and construction of the city’s important
features.

​ ale, Thomas. 2006. "Utopia And Utopian Ideals | Encyclopedia.Com". ​Encyclopedia.Com​.

​2. G
https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/utopia-and-utopian-ideals​.

Discussed in details about the central ideas of Utopia. Described the main ideas of Utopia and
Utopian Ideals through the use of different citations and scholarly sources. Uses different
paragraphs including classifications to clearly communicate the main contextual ideas. Provides
a further list of scholarly references and sources.
3. Kendell, Jennifer. 2017. "What's A Dystopian Novel, And Why Do Teens Love Them?". ​Thoughtco.​
https://www.thoughtco.com/dystopian-novels-and-teens-626666​.

Provides a clear explanation of Dystopia based on novel perspectives. Mentioned about the
comparisons of dystopia and utopia and effectively describes how it is more popular in fictional
novels and teens. Uses different questions to effectively answer the main claims mentioned in the
article.

4. Farraye, Edward. 2014. "Why I Love Living In The Financial District – The Bold Italic". ​The Bold Italic.​
https://thebolditalic.com/why-i-love-living-in-the-financial-district-the-bold-italic-san-francisco-11326d5b25
7​.

Conveys the main ideas through the use of vivid pictures and colorful descriptions of the San
Francisco Financial District. Uses different appeals and novel perspectives in order to make the
article more attractive. Discusses about different aspects of the location and shares different
historical places to attractions.

5. "Utopia & Dystopia: Definition, Characteristics & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.Com".
2018. ​Study.Com.​
https://study.com/academy/lesson/utopia-dystopia-definition-characteristics-examples.html​.