Mihaela, a teenager, spent days and nights in her virtual reality worlds.


    "Mihaela, it''s time for dinner," said her single-parent mother.


    "All right, Mom."


    They both sat at the dinner table.


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    "I''m concerned about you, Mihaela. You''re wasting so much time plugged in."


    "What else should I be doing?"


    "Gee, I don''t know, studying, working, learning new skills."


    "Oh, I do all of that in the metaverse."


    "But what about the real world?"


    "Oh, Mom, you don''t get it. The post-scarcity Singularity is almost tomorrow. I''m learning a new way of life."


    "Sure, but for now, finish all your vegetables."