Us An Them

Us An Them is a dystopian novella patterned after Ayn Rands novella, Anthem, but with a different view of where selfishness might lead. In addition to Anthem, Ayn Rands' works include The Fountainhead, The Virtues of Selfishness and Atlas Shrugged. Her "I" and "ego" forward objectivism philosophy are reflected in these and other of her works. Us An Them is meant to compliment her writing style (Including a title word play) but offers an option to her views.

This story is set in the distant future when watching out for one's self has created a society set up to give each legitimate citizen their time and opportunity on the planet. What more could one possibly ask for given the need to recover from the environmental devastation caused by billions of people carelessly going about their business over the centuries?

Sam is a recent graduate that looks and feels out of place in a city and society designed to give each legitimate their shot at life, but at what cost? He yearns for an alternative to the confines of constant light and surveillance. Can he break away from the repression without ruining life for the rest of his family?

And is there anything beyond the city walls other than darkness and jarring solitude? Sam explores personal relationships and tries to find his place when family circumstances threaten his very existence.