A Retort of Ida Auken’s article from 2016’s World Economic Forum Seminar.
Welcome to the year 2030. Welcome to their city- or should I say, Region 154321XBHGN. I can’t own a car. I can’t own a house. I can’t own any appliances or any clothes.
It might seem frightening to you, but it’s forced upon us in this sector. Everything you loved as a possession or luxury, has now become a centralized circular service. We have access to crowded transportation, zero luxury accommodations, bugs and insects for food and dirty living pods. Once our things were taken away, it ended up that we owned nothing and we were not happy.
First, communication became intrusive and mandatory for everyone. Then, when clean energy became the only option, we had no way to travel on our own. We were forced into crowed electric buses and trains. Only the “elite” could travel by air via flying hybrid cars and hybrid planes. We started transporting ourselves in a much more supervised and organized manner. First, we had to have medical clearance via our digital medical ID in order to use public transport. It helps with congestion as well, for example, if someone gets a red warning..they are removed to the quarantine sector via the black guards. Also, if someone gets a yellow warning..they are removed for questioning via the red inquisitors. More space for the lawful! I had a non-binary gender queer friend who received a red warning…I never saw zem again.
Sometimes, I use my virtual bike when I go see my friends in the Metaverse. I enjoy the exercise and ride. It reminds me of the freedom that I used to have in the old days. Funny how some things in the old days were so much fun: walking, biking, cooking, drawing and growing plants. It’s reminds me of a more civilized age…sorry…no this is great….I must be happy….I must take drugs and play computer games. Those are essential to my happiness. Our leaders tell us we must be content with the sacrifices that we make for our planet. We must always be aware of our carbon footprint. If we are ever depressed about this..they have given us a wonderful free drug therapy program. They have allowed the use of all drugs. When I can’t sleep…I can take a pill. When I feel down..I can take a pill. If I don’t like my body..I can take a pill. Medicine is free….I am Free….
We don’t have to pay for our one room pods..as long as we share them with nine other citizens. The cool thing is when we aren’t there..someone takes our place. It makes for a messy situation though. Last night, I wanted to go to bed, but the person who took my place wouldn’t leave. I miss having a house and a garden, but I would rather have a clean planet more. I see pictures and videos of our “leaders” houses. They are so big. They work hard for us..so I have no problem with the life they live. Honestly, I think it fucking sucks. Why do we have to live in this shit…while they live in paradise. They took everything from us. Shit…I’m in trouble now…should’t have said that…they know what I’ve done now…
Who am I fooling? There’s no privacy here. They know my every dream…my every thought…my every desire. Any minute now I will get a call from my regional inspector. They will send me to compulsory rehab via mind regression. I will be there for months…because they need to drive out any seditious desires within me. I have no choice in the matter. Those who refuse are digitally lobotomized and sent to the service sector….a living death.
I have to go now…just received a cerebral digital message that I need to go to the Ministry of Inspections. Take care everyone….
1 comment
Alison, this is an excellent article.