#boringdystopia

"Construction workers demolished 'derelict' buildings that housed thousands of people who used competing products. Stoplights were hijacked and automated cars plowed through crowds while the majority of the people in the area were wholly oblivious. Occasinal sabotage of one company's firmware or software via potent memetic viruses was briefly commonplace before treaties were drawn up to keep from such WMDs being deployed. Citiens who consumed unfiltered reality were rarely as loyal or peaceful ever again, and entire cities had to be snuffed out to keep discontent from spreading.

"Instead of red / blue or progressive / conservative, populations were divided by whose reality they consumed, and then further divided by their personal preferences. Liberals saw multicultural egalitarian societies where all prospered; racists saw oppressed minorities struggling while their race thrived, conservatives saw limited government leading to a return to historical lifestyles. Everyone was just happy enough, and just unhappy enough, to live their small little lives contributing effort and productivity to the companies who owned their perceptions. "Whole populations lived in the same city—the same building—and never saw each other, each receiving only the information tailored to keep him or her most engaged, most productive, most loyal to the brands he or she consumed." A pause, and a dramatic chord. "The inadvertent launch by Xiaomi, in 2088, of the most successfully weaponized meme ever developed, brought that all crashing down. In a fortnight, the ARternet was gone, burned out. Destroyed. Millions died in the ensuing violence. Music played, now, uplifting and hopeful. "What was built after—the new, better uses for AR and VR—has changed the world for the better. It took nearly fifty years to rebuild. Now, citizens see the best of the world around them, yes, but can trust that the government officials who monitor and control their AR headsets have everyone's best interests at heart. There are still struggles, it's true, but those struggles unite us and make us stronger! "Remember: we have always been at war with East Eurasia, citizen. And we hope you can do your part."