Beneath the Waves

In a small group, create a utopian scene or short dialogue. Then, after what you have written down, have everyone expand on it on their own. Originally published March 2023.

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As we submerged past dark water, the excited cheers from the surface left our ears. We were sinking, faster than I thought possible. Lights flickered and someone tapped me on the shoulder. "You'll want to look out the window for this." I pushed myself forward, the bubbles coming past the window. As the light grew the submarine parked itself on the ocean bank.

The hatch opened, cool water rushing in, enveloping me. Instead of darkness, a bustling city greeted us. A masterpiece of marine architecture. Coral-shaped buildings adorned with intricate carvings of sea creatures, made to withstand the immense pressure of the ocean depths. Schools of fish swam by in perfect formation, unfazed by our presence.

We made our way through the city, my eyes bulging as I took in the surroundings. The streets were paved with shells and twice as wide as they were on the surface. Walls lined with intricate mosaics, each telling its own story of the sea. Sleek architecture, with rounded edges and smooth surfaces blending seamlessly with the natural environment. Plants grew in abundance, leaves swaying gently in the current, creating a world teeming with life and vibrant colours.

A kind-looking man welcomed us with open arms, his voice one with the waves. "This is our home," he smiled, "built with care, preserving the beauty of the ocean and in harmony with all its creatures." And indeed, one could see that every building, every structure was designed to coexist with the ocean's delicate ecosystem.

Moving underwater wasn't as difficult as I thought it was going to be. People here moved with ease and with a grace attributed to marine life. Most of them travelled by means of their own bodies, but at times I saw some riding bikes or scooters, creating only bubbles from their pipes. I asked the man how this was possible.

"The entire city, the buildings, the machinery, everything was powered by new energy sources we discovered and developed as a thanks to our hard work and research. Wave power works like solar power; instead of using light as energy, it uses movements of the waves to generate this power. Hydroelectricity is a bit more complicated; but similar to the concept of water-resistant mobile phones. Now they have created water-resistant wrappings to go around the electrical wires. Maybe that explanation is a bit simplified, but I hope it gets the idea across."

Swimming further man guided us towards the centre of the city. It was odd to see how the fish had gotten used to us living down here among them. We're becoming one with them. Fish were us and we were fish. Even the old man's beard swaying with his movements sometimes appeared as a school of fish swimming together, turning and twisting, forming sweeping shapes. Mesmerizing.

"Are you the man in charge?" another from our group asked him, but the man just laughed and shook his head. "No one here is. Everyone is." Funny, I thought. Without someone in charge I would have expected chaos, and I spotted none. Everyone seemed busy and appeared to know what they were doing. All of them working together to find solutions and develop means and methods that would benefit not one, but the community and Earth as a whole. No single leader or dominant voice was necessary.

"I simply enjoy welcoming newcomers." the man stated with a warm smile.

I think that the biggest difference from up there to down here was how people interacted with one another. My first day here I already saw just how kind and helpful everyone was. People were content, not a single frown or moping I had seen. Everyone seemed to be treated with respect and consideration, regardless of anything. But what struck me the most was the lack of any obvious social divisions. I knew everyone had their divisions of tasks to optimize productivity, but that was the only noticeable divide.

Satisfaction swelled in my chest at the thought of living in and experiencing such a society so focused on cooperation and compassion over competition and self-interest. I'm eager to find out more about its inner workings.

Smiles from all different walks of life, gathered here to start anew; for a wide range of wonders and opportunities unheard-of before.

A unique and breathtaking environment, the potential for new technological advances and innovation, but most importantly, the opportunity to create a truly harmonious society. Humans one with each other. Sea creatures one with each other. And humans and fish one with each other. True harmony without the external pressures of traditional human society.

This was home. I've become part of something special. A world built in reverence to the beauty and majesty of the ocean, in sustainability and harmony. A world never to be forgotten.