Few notes from Philip’s journal

6th of August  2040

I woke up. My alarm clock said hello to me. I don’t need all my appliances to say hello to me. I’m still just as lonely.

26th of September 2040
I paid with my face for the first time today. The cashier thanked me by my name.

15th of December 2040
This is my last “”non-smart”” ink pen. The ink’s running out.

I think I’ll have to stop keeping this journal. They don’t need to know my thoughts. Everyone already knows too much.

12th of September 2045, 

My dear Natalie,

Remember our annual summer trips? We drove there with my car. We thought that if we protected the planet, we would live on the seashore someday. They promised us a good life in harmony with nature. But instead, here I am, can’t afford a car anymore, living alone in my tiny apartment, haven’t been outside the city for God knows how long, and the only thing keeping me close to nature is the sound of waves crashing on beaches coming through my earbuds. Unfortunately, they use up a lot of my Carbon Allowance, so I can only enjoy five minutes of that experience today. How did it get so wrong? We had good intentions. The planet is healing, but are we happier?

Tom

PS. It feels good to write on paper again.

12th of June 2045

Hi Kate! 

Like you, I use local goods, we are lucky to have this opportunity, right? Generally, I work in a renewable energy power plant. We have a lot of them here. And yet I still feel the artificiality in the air that you mentioned…Well.. my life is good. You could say that I have everything, a modern eco-car, a cozy house, lots of greenery and best new technology..but something is still bothering me…you mentioned “moving”? Right? Ahh..the idea of being a global citizen is so appealing. But…unfortunately, due to competition between countries, I have no chance. “Self-sufficiency” is the motto of the place where I live. But who knows. Maybe one day we will be able to meet in the perfect place.

Regards, Tom