We often think we’re free — that we make our own choices. But what if the structures around us — education, transportation, tech — are already deciding for us? Vicky will explore how everyday systems quietly condition our behavior, and how that, too, is dystopian. Vicky Li is currently a Year 10 student studying at BASIS International School Shenzhen with a passion for law, criminology, and politics. She likes to dedicate her time to speech and debate tournaments, specifically participating in events such as impromptu, public forum, and extemporaneous speaking. She founded the Mock Trial team in her school and enjoys leading teams to compete in competitions. Through these activities, she has developed a strong interest in argumentation, critical thinking, and the intricacies of legal frameworks. She is also deeply fascinated by dystopian literature and would spend hours unraveling the philosophies behind imagined societies and questioning the fine line between control and chaos. Vicky’s TEDx talk will teach you how the themes of justice, power, and resistance found in dystopian fiction can reflect — and even predict — the challenges of our real-world legal and political systems. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx