It was a cool spring evening as I walked up a winding trail near an old, picturesque village in England. My friend and I, worn out from a long hike, were searching for a place to rest. Just as we were about to reach the peak, a sign appeared on the path, its worn letters warning: “Turn back now, or continue if you dare.” My friend—a daredevil by nature—smirked and marched ahead, ignoring my quiet ...

If there’s one thing I miss about our past, it’s having friends. Here in 212X, it’s nearly impossible to have a normal conversation with people—everyone depends on screens or artificial intelligence to communicate. I remember 100 years ago, we could just text each other, and within minutes, we’d meet up at the outdoor cafe to catch up face-to-face.

In the future, everything is digital, and people...