Failed Utopia cover art

Failed Utopia

Failed Utopia

Written by: Anna Roberts
Listen for free

About this listen

This is a podcast about utopian ideas and paradise lost. We look at utopian concepts from the past, present and future, as well as utopian societies and communes, which promise the world to eager followers but inevitably fail when it all starts to unravel. Some of these utopias just fall apart, while others devolve into true horrors and even brutal cults. I’ll break down what these groups’ leaders were thinking, what attracted their devotees in the first place, and how it all went wrong. 



All rights reserved. Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Dubai's Artificial Islands

    Dubai's Artificial Islands
    Feb 28 2023

    Over twenty years ago, Dubai began constructing the world's largest artificial archipelago of islands, designed to be a lavish oasis for the super-rich. Today, the islands stand mostly empty and some are sinking back into the sea, but the developers and government of Dubai refuse to give up on the mind boggling mega-project. Let me tell you about this astonishing feat of engineering, how it did work--kind of, but also hasn’t panned out the way they hoped, and why they’ll probably never let this one go no matter how bad an idea it was.

    Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

    • Nakheel Properties
    • Dubai Set To Open Heart Of Europe With 6 Outrageous Themed Islands
    • The World is sinking: Dubai islands 'falling into the sea'
    • Owner of Dubai's 'little Britain' jailed for non-payment of cheques
    • Second Irish property investor kills himself over financial problems

    Written and produced by Anna Roberts

    Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

    Intro music by Elliot Middleton

    Merchandise: www.failedutopia.com/shop
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • New Year's Resolutions

    New Year's Resolutions
    Jan 31 2023

    Why most New Year’s resolutions fail, the Babylonians and Romans, putting our hands on a peacock, setting and getting goals, habit formation, motivation vs. discipline, believing you deserve to have what you want, and what procrastination really is (you’re not lazy).

    Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

    Links & Resources

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

    Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

    Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233

    VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846

    For veterans, Make The Connection

    • America's Top New Year's Resolutions for 2023 Statista
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • How Long Does it Actually Take to Form a New Habit? (Backed by Science) James Clear


    Written and produced by Anna Roberts

    Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

    Intro music by Elliot Middleton

    Merchandise: www.failedutopia.com/shop
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Bonus Episode: More Theranos Updates (Elizabeth Holmes Sentencing & Sunny Balwani Trial)

    Bonus Episode: More Theranos Updates (Elizabeth Holmes Sentencing & Sunny Balwani Trial)
    Nov 23 2022

    The Theranos saga continues. Updates on Elizabeth Holmes' sentencing and Sunny Balwani's trial and verdict.

    Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

    Links & Resources

    Theranos Full Explainer: https://failedutopia.com/theranos/

    Holmes Trial & Verdict Updates:

    YouTube https://youtu.be/P9xR6jn84kU

    Audio only https://failedutopia.com/theranos-update/

    Written and produced by Anna Roberts

    Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

    Intro music by Elliot Middleton

    Merchandise: www.failedutopia.com/shop
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
No reviews yet