PROBLEMS ii
In this story, a society creates a quasi-sapient simulacral companion for each person, whose purpose is to like them. It serves as a conversational interlocutor, an encouraging voice, an audience for their ideas, a therapeutic caring support. Contrary to common criticism, this actually does make most people more mentally stable and healthy, even as they spend less time interacting with other humans and instead focus on their artificial companions. Everyone is happier and more fulfilled, but no one is sure whether something important was lost.