Ayn Rand's dystopic science-fiction novella takes place at some unspecified future date. Mankind has entered another dark age as a result of what Rand saw as the weaknesses of socialistic thinking and economics. Technological advancement is now carefully planned -- when it is allowed to occur at all -- and the concept of individuality has been eliminated. As is common in her work, Rand draws a clear distinction between the 'socialist/communal' values of equality and brotherhood and the 'productive/capitalist' values of achievement and individuality.