I felt like the beginning came off as a bit too strong at first, but thinking about it, it's really just a description of how radicalization works. I especially liked your on-point reference to echo chambers.
Still, though, I didn't expect to feel anger stirred up in me, at the exceptionalism being more trendy than ever and your frank disregard for democracy, which makes this more interesting.
I suppose the description of the ongoing in the military base is what you'd expect. Not the most intriguing for me personally, but fitting. Way more interesting is the state the world has gotten into. America, New Zealand, and Australia, huh? Thinking this through actually makes for a catastrophe, unparalleled in this region.
The protagonist realizing what is going on is nice to watch and the lack of a name makes it easier to project oneself on them. The story is a little bit standard here, but well executed. The fact that a war fueled by abhorrent lies is possible despite digitalization strikes me, maybe even more so as the exact same thing is going on in Ukraine at the very moment. And the uncaring war machine catches the prota too.
The end was… refreshing. I didn't expect it to go like this. Also, I really liked the word "Zeitgeist" being used :D
All in all, a great piece!
All the best
- Nylo
