Is utopia even a possibility?...

I'm not sure but I'm certainly willing to try to improve my own lot in life and hopefully do the same for others in the process.

This end-game goal of a more utopic existance has simultaneously taken me down two different paths: a book about our the short sighted approach found in America over the past few years, and a handful of businesses - http://www.mossacres.com/ and http://www.purrfectfence.com/ (these really don't have much to do with utopia unless you are a cat gaining access to the outdoors for the first time, or a moss enthusiast who has just blanketed their shady backyard in moss) and the establishment of a self-sustaining community in the hills of Costa Rica.

My perspective has always been that man is inherently flawed as a species. Because as individuals we are more often than not incredibly self-absorbed, it has been the plight of modern society to pursue our best, short term interests as individuals at the expense of the well-being of mankind and our planet as a whole in the long run.

To overcome these shortcomings and create a more perfect world, man must regularly police himself and attempt to maintain a reign on basic instincts for short term self-gratification - things like power, control, and material possessions.

Well it has been over five years since I first started kicking around the idea of creating a self-sustaining tropical community in the hills of Costa Rica.

Two years after finally having purchased a 150 acre finca that looks out over the Pacific Ocean, I am certainly glad my three partners and I embarked on this path together.

It hasn't been easy, but the pay off in quality of life could be significant...

We are in the process of selling 24 lots (50% sold) to individuals from across the globe with the commen interest of treading lightly by doing right by the land and the local people of Costa Rica - that's it, no other agenda. Costa Rica is an incredibly beautiful and "tranquillo" place...sometimes so easy going that it can be challenging to get things accomplished. The rewards for perceverence are high in my mind, as the healthy lifestyle this country is unsurpassed - see ABC News report about Blue Zones here.

For recent updates regarding what is going on at the finca take a look at our blog

In closing, I plan to begin releasing a chapter each month from my book "Consumed" on this blog spot... I have too been "consumed", so this has been delayed, but I hope to get it up sooner than later...

Other businesses owned by Al Benner - http://www.mossacres.com/ and http://www.purrfectfence.com/ (these really don't have much to do with utopia unless you are a cat gaining access to the outdoors for the first time, or a moss enthusiast who has just blanketed their shady backyard in moss)