I was kind of surprised to find so many that were banned and denied even their appeals. I chose not to appeal because it was obviously they were power addled assholes.

I think it was an agreement she was told she had to make in order for the nod.

The CRISPR technology is more advanced than brain implants.

Not "The Matrix" -- we will just serve as batteries for someone's AI or Crypto farm while having/living in lucid dreams?

Maybe living in a village where you have a yard would be a happy medium.