[ WP ] Scientists have figured out what the best possible life looks like . To maximize human happiness , now all people are genetically identical clones living out the same perfect life in Matrix-like virtual reality .

`` Fellow board members,'' spoke the executive director before the conference table, `` GBC representatives, engineering team, thank you all for attending today. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the future of CeruTech. From the beginning, our company goal has been to maximize happiness for all humanity, no matter the cost. We're methodical and scientific - if we try a system that does n't work, scrap it, modify it, and keep moving forward. 
 
 But, in order to plan for the future, it is necessary to examine the past. We'll start with our Director of Engineering, Gary Friedrich, who will briefly the direction that our company has gone, and compare it to our new initiative. 
 
 The CeruTech engineer, seated close by, stood up and took the Executive's place at the front of the room. A large monitor turned on behind him. 
 
 `` Thank you, Mark. In CeruTech's pursuit for ultimate happiness around the world, it took an incredible R & D team to fully understand not only what makes people happy, but also how these psychological mechanisms translate to engineering solutions. Our plan has historically met the model of identifying a problem, and forming a solution.'' 
 
 The screen switched to a presentation slide, titled `` Keys to happiness'', which displayed several succinct notes made in bullet point form. 
 
 `` For identifying the problem, we came up with results that should n't really surprise anyone. People like the company of similar people, or at least like finding similarities between themselves and others. People enjoy having basic essentials for living, as well as the ability to have more. People appreciate high-level appreciation for abstract concepts that allow for the feeling of a fulfilled life.'' 
 
 The screen changed again, to an [ image of a pyramid, divided by five colorful layers, arranged top to bottom ] ( https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs ), with descriptions for each layer in the margins. 
 
 `` Much of our research coincides with Maslow's theory of a'hierarchy of needs', which categorizes the many different factors that bring people happiness. They range from meeting primal needs, to ensuring security, to meeting social needs, to meeting one's own goals and expectations. You can see how these relate to the findings I mentioned before.'' 
 
 The screen changed to a presentation slide titled `` Solutions? ``, which simply displayed a large question mark. 
 
 `` But meeting such a wide range of needs has proven to be tremendous challenge. Our Digital Immersion department worked for three years on projects trying to meet each and every layer of the hierarchy of needs. The result was simply involving our manpower being split five ways, with little progression for each.'' 
 
 The screen changed back to the pyramid. 
 
 `` We then sought a bottom-up approach, attempting to tackle each level of needs for happiness one at a time, starting with the most basic and primal needs first. This has been the direction we've taken for the past 5 years. The result...'' 
 
 The screen changed to display a line graph. The line rises considerably high on the left side, but levels off closer to the right. 
 
 ``... was stagnation. Our efforts to resolve basic human needs were not difficult, as they required simply utilizing existing infrastructure for distributing food, water, and shelter. But our rigorous testing for meeting the higher needs has been slow and fruitless. Test groups have reported having only part of their needs met, and reports have been inconsistent across individuals. 
 
 `` But as of today, we're changing our approach.'' 
 
 The screen changed again, to a slide titled `` behavioral engineering''. Projected graphs and data charts flooded the screen. 
 
 `` In our research, we've attempted simulations and scenarios involving appeals to very basic forms of happiness. The most popular - and scientifically reliable - form of this research has been tests that utilize Skinner principles of [ Operant Conditioning ] ( https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning ). That is, training the brain to enjoy something. In our tests, this has come in the form of rewarding the brain by administering arbitrary values, such as [ raising that person's score, number, or value ] ( https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_Clicker ). When we have encouraged people to associate that number personally - to their work ethic, effort, principles, or even simply overall self-value - this significantly increases the happiness people experience when they go through this test.'' 
 
 The screen changed again to three images - a group of five white men, a group of seven Chinese women, and a group of four tan men of unclear ethnicity - all sitting still at tables, wearing a digital headset over their heads. The headsets each have a thick tube that trail out of frame. The people within each picture share striking similarities to one another, in body proportions and facial features - only subtle differences in clothing distinguish them from one another. 
 
 `` Our recent Digital Immersion tests have also been well-received by the Genetic Engineering department. We can build on existing frameworks for happiness by further rewarding assimilation and identifying similarities with other people.'' 
 
 The screen changed to a stock image of five white men in business suits giving a thumbs-up sign towards the camera. 
 
 `` Our plan from here on is simply to integrate operant conditioning systems into existing mechanisms for happiness. This not only substitutes the need for humans to pursue the higher levels of the hierarchy of needs, but it also strengthens the happiness we know that people already receive. Our long-term goal is a complete restructuring of happiness mechanisms through simplification. Simpler systems make for happier folks. Once we have yield some positive testing results with our focus group, we'll continue with plans to go full-scale with operations.'' 
 
 The screen changed again, the presentation slide now reading `` Q & A''. On cue, the board room applauded.
