Comment by planb
1 day ago
Sometimes I have weird fantasies about a post apocalyptic world where factories burned down and people have to live with the tech that’s available. No network, just off site solar power or generators, only local devices. I think it’s interesting to think about how far we could get with this.
Does anyone have recommendations for novels, movies or video games with that topic?
There are many who indulge in such fantasies, but I would instead give a warning. The reason you have such fantasies is likely because you, yourself, are competent in the necessary skills. But from there it is only a hair-thin line that separates you from having feelings of actively wanting such a catastrophy to occur, because it would make you and your skills valuable. Beware of such self-indulgence.
It is self-indulgence, because we can see similar fantasies in people with other skills; people collecting guns often secretly long for a collapse of law and order, people who live in the countryside and have horses imagine themselves to be cowboys in a car-less world. People who like to tinker with old cars imagine Mad Max scenarios. Et cetera. None of these scenarios are especially likely to occur; they only persist in people’s imaginations because many secretly hope for them to come to pass.
Pump 6 and Other Stories has a few in that vein, sort of. Eg there are no petrol engines, instead compression springs, treadle operated computers, etc. There are some pretty grim stories in there, some may find them distasteful.
https://windupstories.com/books/pump-six-and-other-stories/
Also I guess Silo / WOOL by Hugh Howey is perhaps closer to what you wrote literally but probably not quite the vibe maybe.
Chiming in to second this, Pump Six and Other Stories left me with a deep, deep sense of dread after I finished reading it. Highly recommended, such an underrated collection.
Not fiction but you might find this interesting: https://collapseos.org/why.html
FWIW I think “total supply chain collapse by 2030” is highly unlikely, but this kind of constrained technical thinking is pretty cool.
I suspect it might be too ‘soft’ for a lot folks around here (sadly), but “Monk and Robot” is charming.
In general, you should look into the ‘solarpunk’ genre, especially post-apocalyptic solarpunk.
Not exactly what you're describing, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Second_After kinda fits the vibe. Warning: it's really depressing, but a good read if you're in the right head space for it.
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank is another great book in a similar vein.
Besides published material, Cuba comes close. Kept frozen in time by eternal restrictive sanctions.
You don’t think the country is mismanaged?
Book of Eli has vibes along those lines
Are we still at the fantasy stage?