Dies the fire
by S. M. Stirling · first published 2005
44% recommend56% neutral
An electrical storm over Nantucket island causes all electrical devices to cease function, and as some people band together, others are building armies for conquest.
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In a similar vein is S.M. Stirling's Dies the Fire series. While it requires some suspension of disbelief, especially in so much as being able to accept the premise that certain technologies suddenly cease working, it's an enjoyable 'what if' senario…
on “A world without power” ↗…recommendations from them? As far as specific reading suggestions for someone who I know nothing about other than that they like ASOIAF, maybe (though its very different) S.M. Stirling's novels of the Change (Dies the Fire and sequels.)
on “Entitlement issues (2009)” ↗If you're interested in this highly unlikely scenario, I highly recommend the Dies the Fire books by S.M. Stirling. I actually got a good education in feudal economics and have a much better appreciation for the concept of food as wealth.
on “Survival tips if you find yourself in the Middle Ages?” ↗The book series Dies The Fire also gives the topic an excellent treatment: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dies_the_Fire
on “A World Without Power (2013)” ↗Three at the moment: - Dies the Fire (S. M. Stirling) - The Autobiography of Malcolm X (Alex Haley) - Give Me a Fast Ship: The Continental Navy and America's Revolution at Sea (Tim McGrath)
on “Ask HN: What books are you currently reading?” ↗…Civilian Air Patrol, Girl/Boy Scouts These organizations have strong hierarchy, clear incentive constructs to align to their mission, and can typically respond quickly to external opportunities. Books like Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling walk through sort of an uber-case of this kind of scenario from a scifi/fantasy perspective. And that another organization fills a void is not crazy -- we've seen it in history (Catholic…
on “Will Digital Technologies Kill the Nation State?” ↗They don't all forget. S.M. Stirling's Dies the Fire series is full of bikes.
on “Hey disaster novelists: Remember bicycles” ↗…might stay powered for 2 years before the Hoover Dam pipes clogged up and satellites longer). If something changed the physics of our planet so that all modern technology stopped working, such as in the Dies the Fire book, then although most humans would starve, the survivors would start over with a medieval society (plus being able to use the scraps from modern world). That's the fundamental difference. A world…
on “Robots Still Haven’t Taken Over: A brief history of machine anxiety” ↗Actually, I instantly thought of Dies The Fire, a novel with the same concept.
on “A Magnetized Needle and a Steady Hand” ↗