This:
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Our knowledge of this:
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This:
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The High Lords system of peerage was always about controlling breeding, ensuring that their genetic legacy persisted at the expense of the genetic legacies of others. The difference now is the amount of control that is possible using the three ingredients above.
Automation has rendered the commons superfluous. Every common man should think on that. Once you and your like were little more than beasts of burden, meant to hold a plow or a spear. Now, you are not necessary. We have robots that can do both of those things. Why should the high lords have any use for you and your genetic heritage?
Things were bad enough for your ancestors when they were NEEDED. Now, just imagine not being needed. To the ownership class it is only a short step for you to become what is termed an 'useless eater'.