Short Story: Ego Control Act (EGO), 2031

Ego Control Act (EGO) 2031

.....The date the state enacted the Ego Control Act.

I sat and ate noodles in front of the alley.

On the shop TV, he opened the live broadcast. The Prime Minister spoke in a soft tone.

"People should be able to have value in themselves.

But a good society must not press anyone with superiority. "

The people in the shop nodded like listening to Dharma.

I nodded.

No one knew that.

The word "superior" is measured by numbers.

A month later,

Everyone gets a free wristband from the state.

It's called a "self-balancing machine."

It looks like an ordinary health watch.

Measure pulse. Measure stress. Measure sleep.

But what it adds is the "ego index."

The numbers start at 50, everyone is the same.

Under 20 into the Low Value Network

Above 80, start risking social pressure.

Exceeding 90 constitutes a violation of article 12.

The state says the system is calculated by many things.

Printed wording

The tone of speech.

Number of people expressing admiration

Including the inner feeling of satisfaction captured by the sensor from the pulse.

It sounds awesome

But no one denied it because it was "free" and "for equality."

At first I never exceeded 65.

I work in a normal private company.

Make a quiet project.

Rarely post anything

Until the day I got promoted.

I'm not bragging.

I just posted a picture and wrote:

"Tired all year. Finally prove yourself."

The top of the line is up very fast.

Old friends at university came to Maine.

"Good. You're really above everyone else."

I read it and felt warm in my chest.

Like a reward, not just a paper, but an affirmation of my worth.

My wrists are shaking gently.

73

I didn't think anything of it.

The same night, the number went up to 81.

The next morning, the head of personnel called me in to talk.

He spoke softly.

"You're a little careful. Your ego index hit 80."

I laughed.

"I'm just glad."

He smiled.

"I'm glad, but the system is indistinguishable between happy and superior."

I'm starting to feel weird.

That evening, I went back to my post.

It doesn't stretch anyone.

Didn't say who was inferior.

I'm just saying I can prove myself.

I dreamed that night that I was standing on stage.

The people below applauded me.

I raised my hand and said,

"I deserve it."

When I wake up

The number goes up to 86.

A small message popped up on the screen.

"Please lower the level of self-affirmation above others."

I still don't understand

Just think in your heart, it is also counted.

Two days later,

The company held a big meeting.

I was invited to share my experience of success.

I prepared the script well.

Intend to talk about the effort.

But when actually taking the stage

I saw the eyes of the beholder.

I see admiration.

And I said a sentence that wasn't in the script.

"Sometimes the difference between success and failure

Is the courage to believe that you can do it. "

The applause was very loud.

My wrists are shaking.

89

I stopped breathing for a moment.

I hurriedly ended with an unassuming sentence.

"I still have a lot to learn."

The applause fell silent.

The number dropped to 87.

I started to understand this game.

If I'm humble,

The numbers are down.

If I receive compliments

The numbers will go up.

After that, I started practicing words.

When someone watches, I say,

"Good luck, sir."

"The team helps."

"I'm normal."

But in the deep heart,

I know I'm extraordinary.

And every time I think that,

Even with a humble smile.

The numbers are still gradually climbing.

One day I briefly posted:

"People who try will not blame fate."

No one's name.

There's no straight comparison.

But the system reads "implicit."

82

85

88

A close friend sent a message.

"Delete, you'll be over 90."

I sat looking at the screen for a long time.

If I delete

It's like I admit I'm wrong.

But I'm not wrong.

I just believe in my efforts.

I do not delete

Less than ten minutes.

A gray car parked in front of the house.

Two officers came down.

Polite, neat, like a bank teller.

"Your ego index hit 92 continuously for more than 10 minutes, sir.

In violation of section 12. "

I laughed.

"I'm not cursing anyone."

He nodded.

"No need to curse, sir.

Just making others feel impaired by comparison is enough. "

I argue

"What about those who say they are worthless?"

He answered smoothly.

"Under 20, we have an Enrichment Center.

But beyond 90 must enter the ego downgrade center. "

I asked

"How to adjust?"

He handed me a tablet to see the video.

A group of people sitting in a row.

Is repeatedly projecting its own failures.

Was to write a social apology letter

Was demoted to duty.

Restricted access to social media

"Until the index is below 70, sir."

I laughed again.

But this time it's a throat

When they were handcuffed,

My wrist screen is up.

"Thought Resistance. Increase the Ego Index + 2."

The number becomes 94.

I was taken to the white building.

No name tag.

Just the word "balance center."

In the conditioning room.

I was repeatedly asked questions.

"Do you consider yourself superior to others?"

I said no.

"Do you think you deserve more success than anyone else?"

I hesitated.

The pulse meter caught that hesitation.

The number went up to 96.

The officer looked at me.

"See, even if you say no, your body insists."

I began to understand

It's not about words anymore.

It is the right to feel yourself worthy.

Many days passed.

I was shown watching a successful person clip that said

"I'm lucky."

"I'm not good at anything."

"I'm just normal."

They smile.

The on-screen index never exceeds 68.

One day the officer asked me again.

"Do you think you're special?"

I sat silent.

If I say yes,

I could be here for months.

If I say no,

I might get home.

I thought of the night I rehearsed until 2 a.m.

Think of the day I fell and got up.

Think of the sweat no one saw.

I nodded softly.

"Yes, I think I'm special.

Because I tried. "

Strong vibrator

97.

The officer sighed.

"You still hold your ego too high."

I smiled thinly.

For the first time, I'm not afraid of that number.

Because I just understood something.

This law does not prohibit oppression.

It prohibits striking.

It doesn't want anyone stepping on anyone.

But it doesn't let anyone stand tall.

In this country,

You can have value.

As long as you don't believe you deserve it more than anyone else.

And if that belief is called ego,

I have to admit,

I have it.

Despite the price of freedom.....

"Synthetic man."