BuddyBots are illegal in Gulag, but some bolder Gulagians install them anyway. It is a calculated risk. Users are advised to activate Boss Mode to avoid triggering surveillance protocols, spontaneous re-education, or worse. In Utopia, by contrast, activating your BuddyBot earns you a 0.1-point Citizenship Score boost.

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The questions people ask their BuddyBots reveal profound cultural differences. Here are some actual queries:

 

Naming conventions

Utopia: Is it illegal to name my child “Password123”? 

Gulag: Is it safe to name my baby “Hope,” or should I go with something more traditional like “Compliance” or “Obedience”?

 

Feline surveillance

Utopia: Does my cat love me? 

Gulag: Do you think my cat is reporting on me? 

 

Small talk vs state talk

Utopia: Can you generate small talk that makes me sound wise but not like I read Kredipedia for fun? 

Gulag: Can you generate expressions of praise that make me sound loyal and like I’ve memorized all of KingopediA? 

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Dreams and interpretations

Utopia: What does it mean if I dream about flying?

Gulag: What does it mean if I dream about flying? 

 

Same question, wildly different implications. In Utopia, flying dreams suggest freedom or ambition. In Gulag, they mean you will soon fall out of a window.

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In both countries, BuddyBots adapt to their humans. In Utopia, they help you express yourself and find happiness. In Gulag, they are quiet allies in the delicate art of surviving bureaucracy, suspicion, and the daily performance of loyalty.

 

And yes, your cat is out to get you. BuddyBot has the footage.

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See also:

• BuddyBot as your wingman: How to optimize your romantic success rate

• Top Gulag travel destination: Kingsville Royal Re-education Facility

• Utopian bots vs Gulag bots: Which are better at surveillance?