Tom nursed a beer, glancing sideways at Rafael, who had opted for tea.
“I keep thinking about what you said earlier,” Tom said. “That people in Mosaic help each other. Like… actually to. That’s hard to believe.”
Rafael smiled gently. “That’s what most visitors say.”
Tom leaned back. “I mean, I’m not trying to be a cynic, but we both know how people are. You give them a system that lets them take without giving, they will take. Human nature.”
“You’re not wrong,” Rafael said. “That’s exactly why most systems collapse when they try to build around kindness. It feels like a nice idea, but then someone takes advantage, and others start to copy them. And suddenly, the whole thing tips.”
“Exactly,” Tom said. “One selfish person ruins it for everyone. That’s why socialism always ends up turning into a mess.”
Rafael chuckled. “Agree. I’ve seen what forced equality looks like. Doesn’t end well.”
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They shared a nod—an unexpected point of agreement.
“So,” Tom said, “explain it to me. How does Mosaic avoid that? How does it not turn into some failed utopia with security drones and good-behavior reports?”
Rafael raised his eyebrows. “Well, first of all, there’s no surveillance state. Contribution is completely optional.”
“Optional?” Tom echoed. “So you can just… sit on your couch all day?”
“You could,” Rafael said. “And some do. But even they have a roof, food, medical care. And whenever they want to change their mind—pick up new skills, help out, participate—everything’s waiting for them.”
Tom frowned. “And you’re telling me people choose to help, even when they don’t have to?”
“Yes,” Rafael said simply. “Not everyone. But most.”
Tom shook his head slowly. “But how? That goes against everything we’ve learned. In any system, if you make giving optional and rewards universal, freeloading wins.”
Rafael leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Let me give you a picture.”
He picked up a coaster and balanced a peanut on top.
“Imagine this is a society where people are expected to care about others. Looks nice, right? But it’s like putting a ball on top of a hill. Maybe it stays there for a while—but the moment someone decides to be selfish and push it, it rolls off. And others follow.”
He flipped the coaster over and placed the peanut in the middle of the underside—curved like a valley.
“Now look at this. A society built around self-interest. Where everyone’s expected to look out for themselves, compete, win. It’s not exactly inspiring—but weirdly, it’s stable. That’s because if someone does try to be generous in that kind of world, people think they’re naive and take advantage of them. So the system pulls them back down. Being selfish fits the shape of the world. It’s the ball settling in the valley.”
He paused, letting it sink in. Tom was quiet for a while.
“So… what makes Mosaic different?”
Rafael looked at him, eyes steady.
“”