Group 5

Group Members

Maya Adriana Kelly Elisa

Background

On January 5th, 2055, Keanu Reeves was walking his dog along Baldwin Street in Toronto. While talking on the phone, his dog had a bathroom break on the side of the sidewalk. Reeves, still on the phone, had not had a chance to clean up after the dog and a lady walking by slipped on the excrement, fell, and broke her tailbone. Reeves, having headphones in his ears, did not know the lady fell and was not quick to help her. As this was occurring, a fan across the street was videotaping the whole occurrence and stopped filming right before Keanu profusely apologized and helped the lady. The video went viral on social media with users saying things such as:

    “I can’t believe that of all people, Keanu Reeves would do something like this. That poor lady did not deserve that treatment at all #keanureevesisoverparty”

    “I thought Keanu Reeves was one of the good ones. Who can you even trust anymore?! #cancelkeanureeves”

Since then, the general public refused to forgive Reeves for what he had done and even after he tried to tell his side of the story, people had seen enough. Reeves was exiled from Hollywood and people have rarely seen him since.

This was the catalyst for a shift in society. North Americans felt that they did not know who to trust. If one of the most beloved public figures could do something like this, how could people trust anyone? The government had to step in during this time of uncertainty.

Eleanor Halewood, the MPP for the University-Rosedale area, where the incident occurred, began gathering ideas for how to combat this sudden distrust. Halewood proposed the idea of a separation society called “unforgivable.” On January 25th, 2055, Halewood spoke to reporters about her recommendation, marking it the first time the idea was tabled in the public space. Halewood initiated that any legal mistakes made be categorized as major offences and would classify people as “unforgivable.” Unforgivables would lose access to privileges within the city. This allowed for society to gain back their trust of each other because there were categorization systems that enabled people to know that who they were with were people who did not make mistakes.

Location and Geography

Ever since the catastrophic shift in society triggered by Keanu Reeve’s downfall and exile in 2055, Toronto has transformed into a city obsessed with perfection, surveillance, and unforgivable violations. What was once a vibrant metropolis filled with life and energy is now a city where conformity and strict control dominate daily lives. The geography of Toronto has become a place where every movement, from the second you step outside your door to your interactions with one another on the street, is monitored and affects your social score.

The days of open parks and playful spaces are long gone. Most of Toronto’s beloved green areas and recreational spaces have been replaced by corporate towers and exclusive private social clubs that only people with perfect social credit scores can access. The few remaining parks from 20 years ago have been remade into pristine parks that are heavily monitored and patrolled by security to keep out any “unforgiveables”. These spaces have now become symbols of status and privilege, mainly for adults, rather than for relaxing or interacting with friends and neighbours. They are reserved for children of the elite Paragon class, while Edgewalker children wouldn’t even dare to be caught near these parks. However, even Paragon children spend very little time in these spaces compared to before the “Keano-apocalypse”, as their childhoods are now consumed by the pressure to be perfect. The obsession with adhering to beauty standards and academic achievement leaves little room for playtime or creativity. Children are taught from an early age to refine their skills or perfect their appearance rather than explore nature and the outdoors. Most youth and teens spend their free time in study pods and libraries or in skill/trade environments. As well, there is anxiety about children playing outside as parents fear that they can get hurt or accidentally push another child in the playground, ruining their reputation.

The city’s streets have been redesigned with wider roads for self-driving cars, known as RoboRides, which dominate the roads and push pedestrians into more narrower sidewalks. These high-status cars eliminate the potential for citizens to make a mistake when changing lanes or speeding. RoboRides have reduced traffic jams and accidents, providing greater convenience and efficiency for Paragons to seamlessly move through the city while maintaining their perfect public image. Errants and those with lower social standings don’t have access to RoboRides and have to rely on public transportation. Few buses pass through the city at limited times of the day, often being overcrowded and significantly less efficient.

Surveillance is now a fundamental part of daily life, ensuring everyone’s actions are tracked and analyzed. Cameras line every block, and public spaces are patrolled by security guards. Malls, restaurants, and plazas have AI systems that scan every face and action in real time. The slightest misstep, wrong word, or poor decision is recorded and can result in the loss of privileges, jobs, or even homes. Those who reject the surveillance system are considered outcasts and are forced to live off the grid in remote rural areas away from the public eye.

Toronto’s once diverse and welcoming neighbourhoods are now segregated by class and status. The wealthy districts, Smart Cities or Exclusive Zones, look like gated fortresses that are equipped with cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence. Entry into these zones is regulated with biometric identification (facial and voice recognition) verifying a high social credit score. Smart Cities are constantly monitored, with residents’ every move being tracked by AI and cameras. The more pristine and well-maintained the neighbourhood is, the higher the social status of the residents. Thus, these areas are very clean as no one dares to litter or pollute public spaces. Only those with perfect reputations have access to large and luxurious homes, which are designed to showcase the flawlessness of their homeowners. The backyards lack play structures for children to explore and are instead rigid with cement and dining spaces to host social gatherings with other Paragons. The Paragons living here enjoy exclusive privileges like access to private schools, top medical facilities, and entertainment. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the forgotten neighbourhoods that are home to those with lower social credit scores. These isolated areas are underdeveloped with less frequent garbage collection and landscape maintenance and fewer amenities. Access to jobs and public services is limited to these Errant and Edgewalker residents. These neighbourhoods are often seen as temporary homes, with many people anxiously wanting to escape and move up to higher-status zones but are ultimately trapped here. The streets are quieter, not from peace, but from the absence of hope.

Since the 2055 shift, the overall atmosphere of Toronto has changed. There is a profound tension between the glittering perfection of the upper classes and the struggles of those who make mistakes and are demoted to the bottom of the social ladder. The geography of the city is not just a map of social divisions. The mood on the streets is hushed and anxious, with fear of judgement and making mistakes. Social media and constant surveillance have made people afraid to express their own opinions and speak freely. Although crime has decreased and the streets are cleaner, the cost of maintaining perfection has taken a toll on the mental well-being of the citizens.

Major Figures

Disgraced Individual

Student Diary

Government Official

Rich Celebrity

Culture

Similar to today's concept of cancel culture on social media, the residents of this futuristic Toronto do not forgive and forget. Mistakes made are unforgivable, with varying degrees of punishment. If the citizens of Toronto are 'perfect,' where do the 'imperfects' go?

Extrapolation This is a commentary on cancel culture on social media, as well as the judicial and prison system, and how people view rehabilitation and growth.