"riders of the purple wage" is an extrapolation of the mid-twentieth century's tendency towards state supervision and consumer-oriented economic planning. in the story, all citizens receive a basic income (the "purple wage") from the government, to which everyone is entitled just by being born. the population is self-segregated into relatively small communities, with a controlled environment, and keeps in contact with the rest of the world through the "fido", a combination television and videophone. the typical dwelling is an egg-shaped house, outside of which is a realistic simulation of an open environment with sky, sun, and moon. in reality, each community is on one level of a multi-level arcology. for those who dislike this lifestyle, there are wildlife reserves where they can join "tribes" of native americans and like-minded anglos living closer to nature for a while. some choose this lifestyle permanently.