The year in 2033. Twenty years ago, a fungal brain-altering pathogen known as Cordyceps has infected over 60% of the global population, turning them into mindless, violent zombies. In the United States, the organization FEDRA seized control over the U.S. military to set up secure quarantine zones free of Cordyceps zombies. Within quarantine zones, FEDRA subjects inhabitants to forced labour, doesn't allow people to leave quarantine zones, and tortures and executes dissidents/criminals. The Fireflies are a rebel group opposed to the FEDRA's rule. They are both hidden within and outside of quarantine zones. The fireflies frequently engage in violent efforts to take control of FEDRA-designated quarantine zones.

The term "trauma plot" refers to narratives centered on personal traumatic experiences such as violence or abuse, emphasising individual suffering (e.g. It Ends With Us, Perks of Being a Wallflower, TV series such as Euphoria and BoJack Horseman, and songs such as Billie Eilish’s "Bury A Friend".)

Palantir is a U.S. company with a software that helps military forces use artificial intelligence to enhance military operations (e.g. tracking and identifying targets, providing decision-making support, modernizing military hardware).

Demand-side housing policies focus on increasing the ability of consumers to afford housing (e.g. rent assistance, government-backed mortgages, rent caps, e.t.c.). Supply-side housing policies focus on increasing the amount of housing units available (e.g. streamlining permit and zoning processes, subsidizing developers, e.t.c.)

Moral relativism is the belief that moral judgements, such as what is virtuous and evil, are not objective, but instead relative to one's world view and environment.