For the most part, the use of fossil fuels is a thing of the past. Solar energy is primarily used. Each adult has a space of per own. Language, as we might expect, has evolved. Fellow community dwellers are referred to as mems.
People live in close contact with their environment.
By this time, reproduction of the human species is carefully controlled and a child is born only when someone in the community dies. People are not encouraged to live expanded numbers of years and most don't. While Connie is around, we experience the death of two people, one old respected woman who has reached the end of her days, and one young beloved man who is killed in defense of his community. The survivors mourn their loved ones and cherish their memories, but are also joyful to welcome new members into the community. There is a diverse mix of racial types, rather than a blending into uniformity.