Want this job? Even if it doesn't get to the level of "all employees need to be running OurCorp Headware (tm)", being required to be running Microsoft Headwindows in order to get a job with medical benefits seems ominously plausible.

Want to use the neuraIM to talk with family and friends? I know you'd prefer a FLOSS nIRC client, but everyone you know is already on WhatsBrain.

Let alone forcibly installing such a chip as "for the persons own good". Or more likely "to stop terrorists" due to needing an excuse.

That's almost definitely going to happen. If the tech were available today we'd probably be hearing disturbing leaks of forced chip installation in people heads in various countries already. :(

We can’t even get people to wear masks in the middle of a fucking pandemic. Do you really think this is a likely and universalizable scenario?

That's a minority of people and they are chastised for it. The vast majority of people DO wear a mask. So yes, this is REALLY a likely an realizable scenario.

seeing as people can get fired for not wearing a mask, this can also be a stipulation for employment. install or starve, citizen.