Ten Percent

“The ‘truth seeker’ nanites, once injected into the bloodstream, entered the neocortex and compelled people to speak only the truth.”

“Wasn’t that a good thing, grandpa?”

“Sure, it worked like a charm. The entire world’s population became brutally honest. Once we got used to it, we were more content, wiser, and peaceful, well, that is until ...”

“Until what, grandpa?”

“Well, scientists overlooked that sociopaths gaslight themselves and delude others with false ideas, to believe whatever they said was the truth.”

“Oh, so that’s why ...”

“That’s right.” Grandpa nodded. “That’s why only ten percent of our planet is inhabitable.”