Social Commentary Opportunity

It's almost the Fourth of July, and that means it's time to write about a dystopian future or alternative timeline in which fireworks are banned. Could you imagine such a thing?

Science Fiction Horror

Here's the setup: It's the future . . . but we don't have spaceships. Boo!

The Real Danger of AI

We're going to send them to other solar systems and they'll have all the thrilling adventures. We have to remember to give ourselves a good time, too.

Addendum

"Demon credits" might actually be worse, but there's an ambiguity there that will detract from the horror till the reader becomes accustomed.

How to Inform the Audience of the Grim State of the Setting

"Demon dollars." That's the currency. It can't get worse than that.

Fourth of July

See title. But also, remember that people will still be barbecuing in space, unless the dystopian future government stamps it out.