Sven Ahmed

Journal Entry for Sven Ahmed - teenager going to school in Metaverse 4.0 Written by Jen Johnson

Background - Sven is living in a state built condo with his mom and dad. His mom is employed as one of the humanitarians on the Earth's surface, cooking for the families living in the condos in her designated area. At other times she is tasked with growing food in the few places left in the GTA where that is possible. At first she completely supports the cause and the changes the authoritarian government has made. However, as time has passed she has doubts and has shared these doubts with her son Sven in the only corner of their condo that is not monitored by the government cameras or sound equipment. This is a copy of a paper journal entry that Sven has written.

Sunday, March 12, 2150 Hey Journal, I am so glad I found a few leftover pieces of paper to write on. Paper is so rare now but I don't want to leave a digital footprint of my ideas anywhere as I could get arrested or worse, killed. I’m scared. This is not the Canada my parents grew up in and since we have been “generously” given the “choice” (NOT - forced is more like it) to live in these prisons, oops I mean condos, life sucks.

I have to go to school online in Metaverse 4.0 – BORING. I never see my friends in person anymore - they say it is only for 5 years but I don’t believe them. We don't get to use the incredible new technology that we have at home to actually learn, answer our own questions of inquiry or play with ideas so we can do deep learning - NOOOOO - we do a mandated boring rote curriculum that is related to our level that we were assigned when we moved into the Metaverse 4.0. It's SOOOO Bad. We have to wear government issued goggles and gloves so that we can go to school. They have placed me in level 3/4 so the work is easy. I am usually done in about 2 hours. Since the Arts are no longer a part of our curriculum my dad has taught me how to play his guitar, so I sometimes use my time to play.

Thank goodness I am a teenager because the government is making all kids aged 3 take a standardized test to determine what “level” they are in - ridiculous. I think the tests are SUPER BIAS - doesn't anyone but me find it weird that only the kids of rich people or government workers are placed in level 5/6? Hello !! People !! Open your eyes the government is mandating this test and it is there to stream people into the careers and areas the government tells them they have an aptitude for - Give Me a Gigantic BREAK.

The government has locked our goggles so that we cannot leave class but I have hacked them. I wrote two programs. One to trick the system into believing that I am logged into class and participating. Another that alerts me if the teacher calls on me. I use the time to hack into the archives of the UN and the Canadian government. I know it is risky but I don’t care. The government isn’t telling the truth. I need to find proof. Today I think I found the papers I need. I was able to hack into the archives on this old server at the Uzbekistan university. The paper is from 2080, just after the Arctic war saying the Earth can’t be saved !

Then today more evidence that something is not right. My mom keeps seeing stuff on Earth that doesn’t make sense. She dropped food off to people in the condo on Sheppard Avenue but it was hot-so hot it did not seem like the air conditioning was working. Normally, when she drops off food no one comes to the door as the government doesn’t allow it but three weeks ago a little girl opened the door, looked at my mom, then slammed it shut. This week she opened the door and told my mom she was alone and so hot. There had not been air conditioning for two weeks. Alone! Hot! That can't be true. My mom went in to check on the girl and all over the apartment were papers with notes about an upcoming rebellion. She brought one home ! It looks like I am not the only one who is suspicious and investigating what is going on. BANG, CRASH, SHOUTING – I got go…