For the purposes of this debate, self-improvement culture refers to the widespread social emphasis on continuously optimizing oneself through habits, introspection, productivity, fitness, education, career advancement, personal branding, and other forms of personal development. This culture is often promoted through books, online content, influencers, coaches, and wellness industries.

An extraterrestrial virus has transformed nearly all of humanity into a single collective consciousness known as "the Others." Members of the Others experience a continuous first-person consciousness; members perceive and feel as themselves, but they all share their memories and emotions. Members lack free will, but they are not aware that they lack free will; instead, they feel natural, sudden inspirations to make decisions based on the collective desires of all other members. The hive mind is nonviolent, incapable of deception, and has largely eliminated conflict, crime, and suffering. However, it also seeks to assimilate the few immune survivors. Carol is one of a small group of individuals on Earth who remain immune.

A company acquisition occurs when one company or investment firm buys another company. In many acquisitions, called leveraged buy-outs (LBOs), most of the money (60-80%) used for the purchase comes from debt rather than the buyer's own funds. These transactions are common, particularly among private investment firms.

Many scholars believe the current geopolitical climate is leading to the end of the rules-based world order. Proponents of the claim point to the disengagement of the US and many other countries from funding international institutions, intervening to protect universalist values and instituting protectionist policies. 

Polytheistic religions are belief systems that include the worship of multiple deities, spirits, or divine forces (e.g., pantheons like those in ancient Greek, Norse, Hindu, or traditional animist systems).