Harmony Living: A Future of Balance and Bliss
In the luminous skyline of Neo-Terra, where dusk never truly darkens and dawn is a seamless, orchestrated unveiling of light, a colossal display flickers to life. A woman, poised with effortless elegance, steps into view. Her suit, tailored yet flowing, bears the insignia of the Unified Harmony Council—a government dedicated to ensuring equilibrium in all aspects of life.
“Citizens of Neo-Terra,” she begins, her voice resonant yet gentle, carrying the carefully cultivated warmth of sincerity. “Welcome to Harmony Living, where balance is not an ideal but a guarantee.”
Behind her, the screen transitions to an idyllic cityscape—symmetrical yet soft, where structures are neither harsh nor overwhelming. The streets are wide, lined with lush greenery, with men and women walking side by side, engaged in quiet laughter or purposeful conversation. No one appears hurried; no one is left behind. The world operates like clockwork, but it is a timepiece crafted for human happiness.
“In the past, imbalance led to disorder. Opportunities were lost, burdens were unfairly distributed, and potential was wasted. But today, we have perfected equilibrium. In Harmony Living, everyone contributes according to their strengths, and in return, they receive precisely what they need.”
The screen shifts to a cozy household where a father and mother prepare a meal together, their hands moving in synchronized efficiency. A child, free of stress and expectation, engages with an interactive learning module—an artificial intelligence tutor that ensures knowledge is tailored to their unique capabilities.
“Gone are the days of rigid gender roles, of struggles against expectations. Our city ensures that work, rest, and responsibility are distributed fairly. No longer do we ask who ‘should’ lead or who ‘must’ provide. Instead, we coordinate. We thrive.”
The advertisement transitions to a workplace—a shimmering high-rise where men and women collaborate seamlessly, each given a role that suits both their aptitude and their chosen lifestyle. Career paths are not dictated by necessity but by passion, and automation has replaced the drudgery of labor. The world has become a place where no one is forced to fight for their space—because space is granted in abundance.
“And at the heart of it all,” the woman continues, stepping forward with a serene smile, “is you. Your happiness. Your fulfillment. Your well-being.”
The final image appears—a family sitting by a sunlit lake, watching the bio-synchronized sky adjust its hues to optimize relaxation. A woman and a man lean against one another, equal in presence, their expressions peaceful. There is no struggle, no need to assert dominance, no competition to prove worth. In this world, harmony is not an aspiration—it is the foundation.
“Join us. Live with us. Thrive with us. Harmony Living: A Future Designed for You.”
The screen dims, leaving behind a lingering sensation of warmth, of possibility. In a world where order is no longer a means of control but a path to fulfillment, contentment is not elusive—it is assured (OpenAI, 2025).
This Harmony Living story promises a future where society is carefully coordinated to ensure order, equity and happiness. Although ideal, when analysed closely, we can see critical issues surrounding automation, labour displacement and promised societal harmony.
This narrative taps into many of the great issues of our times and promises solutions for them in tantalizing ways. Labor seems to have been seamlessly reassigned presumably by innovations in automation and AI. This ignores the patterns of historical technological shifts where economic dispartities are exacerbated before adjustments were made. Allen and Harari warn of the potential of a “useless class” driven by AI-automations (Allen, 2017, p. 325). If not all human labor is needed – what happens to those who used to do them? How do they fit into the coordination of Harmony Living?
As well, Dunne and Raby (2013) warn against imposed fixed-utopian visions that seek to limit critical engagement while making broad promises. Their concept of analysing ‘preferable futures’ makes sense in the context of Harmony Living – asking the questions of “What does preferable mean, for whom, and who decides?” (p. 4).
References:
Allen, R. C. (2017). Reboot for the AI revolution. Nature, 550(7676), 324-326. https://doi.org/10.1038/550324a
Dunne, A., & Raby, F. (2013). Speculative Everything: Design, Fiction, and Social Dreaming. Cambridge: The MIT Press. https://muse.jhu.edu/book/28148.