I was in the local shop today, getting something to eat for lunch, when I suddenly had the strangest sensationa spontaneous awareness of the unlikeliness of this life. I mean, I thought of all the rest of the human populationmost of whom live in what you and I would consider abject povertywho have never seen or entered such a shop. And this, this, is what all their work sustains! This lifestyle, for people like us! All the various brands of soft drinks in plastic bottles and all the pre-packaged lunch deals and confectionery in sealed bags and store-baked pastriesthis is it, the culmination of all the labour in the world, all the burning of fossil fuels and all the back-breaking work on coffee farms and sugar plantations. All for this! This convenience shop! I felt dizzy thinking about it. I mean I really felt ill. It was as if I suddenly remembered that my life was all part of a television showand every day people died making the show, were ground to death in the most horrific ways, children, women, and all so that I could choose from various lunch options, each packaged in multiple layers of single-use plastic. That was what they died forthat was the great experiment. I thought I would throw up. Of course, a feeling like that cant last. Maybe for the rest of the day I feel bad, even for the rest of the weekso what? I still have to buy lunch. And in case youre worrying about me, let me assure you, buy lunch I did.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney