how could someone view this as anything other than dystopian?

Zardoz Clause!

Basil Hayden, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Angel’s Envy, Old Grandad, Bulleit are all great choices.

Basil Hayden or Woodford would definitely be my first choice though.

Not sure if this counts as brutalist, but the post made me think of this example from Portland

“ghosts aren’t real”

“well of course, but they don’t know that”

Kinky

yes, probably

But how can he reach maximum productivity if he’s sitting down ?!

This sounds like a description of empathy, which, as far as I know, cannot be taught, unfortunately.

There’s just something about them