The Upside of Down mentions the current trend towards isolated study when it comes to formulating solutions for improving our global conditions. However, the damage created by humans was created collectively. Individuals, corporations, and irresponsible waste across industries, all contributed to the current global warming crisis and vast inequality. However, a solution to this collective issue will not effectively come out of individuals working in their respective disciplines. It is essential to formulate an ecosystem that promotes an interdisciplinary approach with collaboration across fields and sectors. 

I was able to realize this through the Utopian action project. We were only able to fully execute our vision for a more optimistic future by collaborating with each other in a supportive environment. Everyone in our group came from different backgrounds, ethnicities, majors, etc., and were all able to provide our unique insight into creating our own utopian society. This aligns well with the systems theory discussed in the first weeks of class. Donella Meadows claims that “systems often lack sufficient information flows”. This lack of information may be one of the fundamental pain points of our current system. Information gaps can be easily addressed through open communication and the synthesis of ideologies.

 We can only fix our current societal system by working internally instead of looking to external solutions. Humans often deny their dependence and integration with nature. Oelschlager claims that our model “denies the connection between human beings and the natural world”. This is an extremely pertinent source of further issues that complicate our system. We attempt to look at technological shifts that depend on external solutions which only sets off more feedback loops. We must look even deeper and more internally on both an individual and societal level. I believe that contemplative practices and a strong welfare state may help fuel us in the right direction.