Sentients in the Maze

Who is Jonah Galt? In Jonah Brandyr's dystopian world, the government doesn't use barbarian warriors battling in the arena to pacify the masses anymore. Instead, they hold elections for modern day gladiators called politicians who thrive on hype and controlled media coverage to make the public think things will change, though the only thing that changes is the rich get richer no matter which party gets into office. The aristocrats have learned to disguise robbery, exploitation and the new rise of serfdom using controlled financial markets and crony corporations. Children don't work in dangerous factories anymore, instead they attend institutions where they are conditioned to avoid critical thinking. Instead, they learn just enough to earn money to let them buy the mind-numbing products the company stores provide to make them accept being powerless and poor. Outlaws, bullies and thugs are common, but many of them find camouflage in corporate suits or blue uniforms and badges that provide them the power to rob or terrorize the homeless, the poor and minorities. Resources are running out, but the elite only care about power and wealth, though they've learned to 'donate' in a way that makes themselves seem lovable in media coverage which they purchase by parting with a few tax-deductible pennies on the dollar from the money they rake in. The frustrating thing for Jonah is that he IS a critical thinker, a scientist-expert in Systems Thinking with graduate degrees in Business Finance. He has a disruptive business model that could peacefully revolutionize society using existing science, technology and information, but it's going to take a lot more than a village to make it work. The aristos don't want their world to change. As if that wasn't enough of a challenge, when a beautiful woman picks him up at his favorite bar while he's on the rebound, he discovers the Earth has been invaded by aliens who also have a plot to rule the world. Oh yes…, and she's an alien too. O