2075

A week after Alexa’s encounter with Lena at university, something strange

happened. “Listen, you won’t believe it,” said Daxon as Alexa arrived home.

“More and more people are losing their minds.”

“Why, what happened?”

“Marina told me a very similar story to the one you told me the other day.”

Alexa wasn’t thrilled at the mention of Daxon’s ex-girlfriend’s name.

“Marina?” Her interruption came a moment too soon to seem entirely casual.

“I thought there was radio silence between you.” She smiled briefly, but it

seemed a little forced. “Are you seeing each other again?”

“No, no, we just bumped into each other in the city,” Daxon replied,

raising his shoulders briefly as he averted his gaze. His voice remained calm,

if a little apologetic, as he tried to defuse the tension. “And she told me this

story. The same thing that had happened to you. Someone commented on the

advantages she enjoys as a beautiful woman. Optical privileges and all that

nonsense. Marina says there’s even a student group, a movement that calls

itself MOJ – the Movement for Optical Justice.”

Alexa didn’t know whether she should believe his story about his chance

encounter with Marina, but she didn’t want to make a scene. Aft er all, she

had been the one to suggest an open relationship. So, she skipped the whole

Marina thing and looked up at the ceiling-mounted console above the living

room table: “Hey, Smartie, what’s the lowdown on the MOJ?”

“Smartie,” as she had christened Daxon’s AI software, responded instantly:

“The Movement for Optical Justice was founded in 2073. Its aim is to create a

critical awareness of the privileges enjoyed by individuals, especially women,

who are considered ‘beautiful’ and therefore enjoy numerous undeserved

advantages, including better opportunities in selecting romantic partners and

preferential treatment in the workplace.

MOJ, now referred to as MOVE by many of its followers, denounces the

‘culture industry’ for creating and perpetuating a superficial and consumable

notion of beauty within capitalist society. This kind of beauty is glossy, easily

digestible, and serves to distract and uphold the status quo – ultimately,

beauty is ugly. Beauty, as dictated by societal norms, is a tool wielded by the

powerful to mold and control the masses. The movement is discussing ways

to achieve a greater degree of optical justice, which, according to MOVE, is

just as important as social and ecological justice.”