The Gymna

By 2086, automation has eliminated the need for human labour, while universal basic income guarantees material survival. Without work, struggle, or achievement shaping daily life, many people drift into psychological emptiness. Immersive virtual entertainment dominates society, keeping people indoors and detached from physical reality. Under algorithmic control, experiences are curated for comfort and constant engagement, weakening independent thought and narrowing perspectives. As art, craft, and collective activity lose relevance, public spaces fall silent and social life fragments. Long-term virtual dependence weakens both body and mind, creating a materially stable yet emotionally passive society — the conditions from which the Wanderers emerge.