A DYSTOPIAN TOMORROW
By: Namburi Srinath
Tags: Dystopia, Utopia, Pollution, Environment, Plastic

Typical example of a dystopian society. Image Credits: lithub.com

Somewhere in 2030, around 1 AM

The nurse is walking briskly to call the chief doctor. Her tensed face and stammering while she speaks suggests that the issue is serious. And her pale, red eyes signifies about the sleep depriving condition that she might have undergone for the past few days.

“What’s the condition now?” asked the chief doctor.

“The blood pressure is too low from normal. Patient is unable to sustain without ventilator. He couldn’t sleep proper and coughs intermittently, sometimes blood oozing from his mouth and nose. The entire immune system has been weakened. Partly because of the intense treatment as well due to his tender age. Here are the reports doctor?”

After looking at the reports for 5 minutes, the chief doctor said, “Okay!! I will talk to his father. Call him?”

“Doctor!! How is my son?”

“Srinath!! Don’t worry. We will take care of your son. But first explain what happened?”

“Doctor!! I came from my office as usual at around 7PM. My son slept early because he played for long hours in school and was probably tired. So, I just had my dinner and slept. But suddenly at around midnight, he started coughing and oozing blood, and his skin started to turn pale blue. So, I worried and brought him here. But it’s been a day and I can’t understand what happened to him? Please say doctor!!!”

“Okay Srinath!! Let me explain. Your son got PLASTIKOPHILIA”

“What!! Plastikophilia…”

“Yaah!! Plastikophilia. The root word says it is “Fond of Plastics”. Your son is very fond of them. Didn’t understand. Let me illustrate Srinath. The early morning after he wakes up, what’s the first thing he does?”

“He will brush doctor”

“And uses what kind of brush?”

“A normal — — — plastic brush”

“Exactly. And in what carriage you pack the lunch for him”

“Plastic one — — doctor!!!”

“Nice!! And you need to bring vegetables to make lunch right. So, — ”

“I use a plastic bag doctor. And sometimes it’s packed in plastic bags and sold”

“Haa!! And what about the water bottle for your kid. That’s very important”

“Hmm!! A plastic one doctor”

“What does he do during school hours Srinath?”

“He plays in the playroom and learns basics of language with objects — — ”

“Continue Srinath. Why have you paused?”

“With objects made of plastic. He plays with them in the school and home as well doctor”

“Good Srinath. Assume he sleeps for 10hrs. So, in the other 14hrs he is connected with plastic in one or the other way for about 8–9hrs. Now, how much time do you spend with your kid?”

“3–4 hrs max doctor. Part in the morning and the rest after office hours”

“So, that makes clear the he is fond of plastics. Thus he is suffering from Plastophilia now. But the sad part is that plastic is not fond of him. Infact, it is not fond of any one. It has ANTHROPHOBIA(Fear of men/women). Thus it tries to go away from us somehow or the other. But we are the ones who are holding it close to ourselves”

“Doctor!!!”

“Nah nah!! Lemme complete. Actually your son is not fond of plastic at the beginning. It is you(we) who has made him fond of plastic from the beginning by feeding milk through plastic bottles. But the clever plastic can easily escape from your son because your son can’t hold it firm. But don’t worry. We will make sure he will be fine but only one condition. This time habituate your son to be a PLASTIKOPHOBIAC(thus not bringing any plastic closer to him)”

After a rigourous treatment for few days, Srinath’s son became normal.

Edit: Some people asked me how to make Srinath’s son plastikophobiac. Simple, (just Google it for more details)

Plastic brush→ Bamboo brush Plastic cups, plates, bottles, spoon→Ceramic or steel made(depends on usage) Plastic bags→ Normal bags Plastic straws→Paper straws

The list goes on and on…..

Edit: Some people might wonder that “We aren’t consuming plastic right. Just using them to carry stuff” Please read about “Microplastics” or search for “plastic consumption of a credit card size”

P.S: The disclaimer list might be lengthy. But that is the soul/heart of this blog. The sole purpose to make a fiction(with wierd terms) rather than a direct listing of harmful effects is to engage and connect more deep.

DISCLAIMER AND END NOTES:

All the characters, events and terms are for fictional purpose usage. It is not with intention to hurt/critise anyone intentionally or unintentionally. While the fictitious story might remind of a “Future Dystopian society” my intentions are to expose about our living conditions as well and to rethink about the present lifestyle. Though I mentioned explicitly about plastics, there is a big list of ANTHROPHOBIACS. A few of them include usage of plastic straws, gas emissions from industries and vehicles, pollution associated with various forms(air, water, sound, food) While the scientific terms and explanations maynot be accurate, the purpose of the story is different. Still, if there are any inaccuracies that you may find out, comment/inform me to correct This story is not just for humans. It is for the sustainability of entire planet. (Which has animals, plants as well) You may point out our tooth gets in contact with the bristles when we brush, so why to care about the holder. Just check point 5. Medicine and technology might improve to tackle all forms of diseases that arises with plastics(or in general ANTHROPHOBIACS). But again refer to point 5. Also, not everyone can spend on treatments right!!! Because “Prevention is better than cure” While there are technologies/startups that strive for a UTOPIAN SOCIETY it is far from reach as the Rate of reconstruction << Rate of destruction(that we have done till today and counting) It might not be possible to change every life habit towards a utopian society. But atleast you should be aware and start small changes thus adding up. Just recall that “An ocean is made from a million small drops” if you ever feel what a single person’s habit might effect Few might think the story/picture might be exaggerating with reality. While the picture is for representation, the story is fiction and I believe it is reality The title might say dystopian but I gave a happy ending My context of some of the terms are as follows(Some might be satirical/ironic):

UTOPIAN SOCIETY → Where we can preserve our health easily and have a sustainable planet

DYSTOPIAN SOCIETY → Where we can not preserve our health with ease

PLASTIKOPHILIA → Fond of plastic so that you will not forgo

PLASTIKOPHOBIA → Fear of plastic so that you will not bring it close enough(thus avoiding usage)

ANTHROPHOBIA →Fear of men/women. Thus trying to be away from them by harming them to the maximum possible extend

Thank you for sparing your time on this blog. Any constructive/destructive feedback and discussions are welcome so that I can improve/gain knowledge.

You can comment/share if you feel to do so but do it with philia(love).

Last but not least

It takes only 1 hand to throw a stone at others but two to clap. So, why not try that so that you may burn extra calories as well!!!

Edit: Clap is a feature in medium app to appreciate the author. So, try to do this as well😎

Personal Website: namburisrinath.github.io

Medium Handle: namburisrinath.medium.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namburi-gnvv-satya-sai-srinath/