New Federation

The story "The Era" takes place in a dystopian future society known as the New Federation. In this society, blunt honesty is prized and expressions of emotion are derided. This is evident in main character Ben and his classmates' scorning of the "shoelookers" (38), fellow students who are unable to hide their sadness appropriately. The citizens of the New Federation take a drug called Good that regulates their emotions and keeps them docile and compliant (with the exception of a few outliers who refuse to take Good, including the family of Ben's friend Leslie McStowe). The New Federation came about after two wars known as the Long Big War and the Big Quick War, referred to collectively as the Water Wars because of one side poisoning the water reservoirs of the other. The valuing of honesty over emotion is seen as a way to prevent further disastrous conflict...