Interview 2: “The Worker Who Survived the Old Economy”
Location: Seattle
Interviewee: Rafael, Age 42, Former Logistics Coordinator
Before The Turning, Rafael worked three jobs to support his family. When automation swept through the shipping industry, he was left with nothing but debt and a rented room.
RAFAEL: “When the machines started managing trade routes, I thought it was the end for people like me. But the city didn’t let us starve; it retrained us. They called it purpose allocation. I thought it was just another way to keep us busy.”
Now, Rafael tends to an energy corridor that powers local food distribution systems. His work is part maintenance, part artistry, ensuring the neural roots that power the city’s transport glow evenly across districts.
RAFAEL: “I don’t make what I used to. But I also don’t wake up afraid and wondering how I am going to pay my bills and feed my family at the same time. I no longer have to make that decision. That’s new.”