The Ineffable Existential Abyss of Cognosco is a colossal, socially progressive nation, ruled by The pessimistic ghost of Schopenhauer with a fair hand, and renowned for its daily referendums, multi-spousal wedding ceremonies, and rampant corporate plagiarism. The compassionate, democratic, cheerful population of 6.336 billion Cognoscans are free to do what they want with their own bodies, and vote for whomever they like in elections; if they go into business, however, they are regulated to within an inch of their lives.

The large, corrupt, liberal, socially-minded, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Administration, and Industry. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Manentia. The average income tax rate is 98.6%.

The frighteningly efficient Cognoscoan economy, worth a remarkable 1,474 trillion Life Chances a year, is quite specialized and mostly made up of the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Tourism, and Beef-Based Agriculture. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 232,749 Life Chances, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

The only movement outdoors is of ramen-delivery drones, life is somewhat repetitive, for just a few extra Life Chances Cognoscans can get new driving records with their new cars, and in distant lands the nation is known as a lovely place that was even better in the good old days. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Cognosco's national animal is the Cognoscan Eagle, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is High-Spirited Schadenfreude.

Cognosco is ranked 78,162^nd in the world and 48^th in Philosophers for Largest Cheese Export Sector, scoring 3,201.65 on the Mozzarella Productivity Index.