"Lisa," said her father, "you should start searching for a job assignment. You're turning 18 soon."
"Hmm …” Lisa frowned. “It sounds complicated."
"Quite the opposite. Matches are all automated, but you make the final choice."
"What if I don't make a choice?"
"All your rations get minimized. Only the basics would be provided. Nothing else, not even for travel."
"I don't get it, Father."
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"What's not to get?"
"Why do we have to work? The robots make everything."
"Oh, that debate, again? Before you were born, pre-Singularity, our economic system rewarded generating income instead of contributing."
"So, what's the difference?"
"Survival … Making money was all about survival and the fear of losing out to the competition whereas our point system is all about contributing to the greater whole."
"But, Father, why encourage us to contribute?"
"Oh, the experts made studies on that. They discovered an individual's self-worth is identified by feeling useful and productive for society. It's also necessary for social cohesion. Besides, merely surviving for oneself means an unfulfilling life."
"Hmm ..." Lisa appeared to ponder silently.
"Sorry, Lisa, I don't mean to sound like an advertisement."
"A what, Father?"