「未来都市と食料危機：テクノロジーと社会格差」の英語長文問題

The gleaming skyscrapers of Neo-Veridia pierced the perpetually twilight sky, a stark contrast to the sprawling, dust-choked shantytowns that clung to its edges. Neo-Veridia, a city built on the promise of technological utopia, boasted automated farms that produced nutrient-rich protein bars, sufficient to feed its elite population. These ‘Nutri-Bars,’ meticulously engineered to provide optimal nutrition with minimal resources, were the cornerstone of Neo-Veridia’s food security. However, this technological marvel masked a deep social chasm. In the shimmering towers, citizens enjoyed a life of abundance, their every need met by advanced AI systems. Their food, delivered via automated drones, was always plentiful and varied, beyond the wildest dreams of those in the outskirts. Meanwhile, in the shantytowns, life was a constant struggle for survival. Food scarcity was a daily reality, with families relying on scavenged scraps and dwindling supplies of genetically modified, but inferior, crops. The official narrative promoted Neo-Veridia’s food self-sufficiency, a testament to human ingenuity. Yet, the reality was far grimmer. The Nutri-Bars, though nutritionally complete, lacked the flavor and variety that defined traditional meals. Many suffered from nutritional deficiencies despite consuming the bars, a consequence of the lack of essential micronutrients and the psychological impact of a monotonous diet. Moreover, the advanced farming technology, while producing an abundance for the wealthy, had rendered traditional agricultural skills obsolete, effectively trapping the shantytown inhabitants in a cycle of poverty and food insecurity. A black market for traditional food items thrived in the shadows, fueled by desperation and the enduring human desire for taste and diversity. Dr. Aris Thorne, a visionary biotechnologist, argued that true food security extended beyond mere caloric intake. His research focused on developing sustainable and accessible farming techniques suitable for the shantytowns, integrating traditional knowledge with modern technology. His work, however, was met with resistance from the Neo-Veridia government, which prioritized maintaining the status quo – a system that benefited the wealthy elite at the expense of the marginalized population. The question remained: could technology, meant to solve the problem of food scarcity, ironically perpetuate a system of inequality?