No guns, No electricity, NADA! What if?

I started reading this series of books from Author S.M Stirling. I finished the first of 10. Dies the Fire

The basic premise is the struggle of two groups who try to survive "The Change", a sudden worldwide event that alters physical laws so that electricity, gunpowder, steam power, and most other forms of high-energy-density technology no longer work. As a result, modern civilization comes crashing down. Electricity does not exist in any significant form except for small amounts such as that in our body.

what would ya'll do? Without guns to protect your property and life a lot of people would die. Without modern machinery people will starve or die of exposure. Basically, if we were suddenly thrust back into the Middle Ages (not time travel) with our current knowledge but without the ability to replicate modern technology.

No gun power, explosives, nothing... every form of high-energy-dense technology just fizzles. You can't build steam pressure either for steam power. Basic things burn...i.e wood and what not but you cannot convert any of these into a useable energy source.

Just got me thinking, since most people's emergency survival plans depend on weapons and some sort of mini gadgets (GPS, electric firestarters). What would you do?

In the book they basically revert to a middle age setup within the first year and billions of people die of starvation or at the hands of Cannibals, rovers, gangs, or disease. they form different feudal style civilizations around the world and fight each other for resources.

Basically, I was tired of the Zombie Apocalypse threads... and thought this might be interesting to pass the days of boredom over here in Qatar

heres a link to some more information on the series: http://emberverse.wikia.com/wiki/Emberverse_Wiki

 

well... we wouldnt be on tacomaworld

 

Time to pull out the machete!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juk3rTfjR8k

 

these books sound like something I might want to read
ill have to go to the book store.

 

Sky is falling....

But yes, we with guns will group up and get shit running again right?

 

I'm not physicist(not even sure I can spell the word right...) but how could you have the ability to burn things, but not be able to harness the power of steam?

Steam generated energy is inherent in nature. Things heat up, they expand and give off energy. What could possibly prevent that?

 

yeah I understand that... but apparently in the fictional works that I've been reading the laws of physics have been changed to disallow the creation of high pressure steam.

Gunpowder just fizzles, dynamite does not explode, and a close steam loop does not pressurize regardless of how much heat is applied.

From reading the synopsis of the following books... it has to do with Alien interference in our evolution (i.e they are holding us back for some reason)

 

I know its complete implausable but I thought it would be interesting to discuss...

the character all develop into new feudal micronations based on certain dynamic individuals and their knowledge.

It take place mainly in the Willimette valley in Oregon.

Its interesting because of how ingenuitive the characters are...
They make swords out of the tempered steel of leaf springs
Use bikes (as well as horses) as mounted cavalry
Create seige weapons using car parts and scavenge material
Build Castles with flamethrowers or napalm catapults
Make wagons out of old trucks
etc etc

 

Until the starving masses arrive at your home and slaughter you and take everything you have... or some enterprising gang does the same

 

sounds interesting! so gas wont burn either?

i just finished world war z and ive been looking for my next book

 

My compound bow would be ready for action!

 

That's not creative. That's how a lot of Indians make kukris.

Cars were "horseless carriages" back in the day.

So, what, bows/arrow work OK? Slings, etc? "shake" flashlights? Solar power? Windmills?

thankfully I've never owned a GPS, so I'm good the only things that takes batteries in my kit is a flashlight.

 

i would make a giant crossbow out of leaf springs.

 

Cool... you could launch a javelin with it.

I'd go for a nice bike ride and be moving target practice for y'alls compound bows and new improvised crossbows. While slurping down canned food I saved for the apocalypse. Then we all wake up because none of this is real.

P.S. My fists would still work.

 

Gas burns for fires and torches but Cars and electricity don't work (in any form)... basically its sort of a selective supression of technology (its hinted that an otherworldly/Alien influence is the cause)

Nothing with electricity or high-energy technology, plus selected technology that would allow for advanced weapons and gear are also suppressed.

Basically, human/animal powered vehicles and medieval weapons (with modern flair). I guess you could make a windmill or water wheel to rotate a gear but not to create power or pressurize a system.

Its neat becuase they make trebuchets using modern metals and alloys instead of wood and rope. They create chainmail armor using fence links or actual chains. They also talk about raiding museums for historical items (plows, weapons, tools, etc etc).

There are multiple "nations" that sprout up. The first 3 books mainly deal with the begining of the "change" within the Pacific Northwest specifically Oregon and Southern Washington.

 

obviously its not real... its a book (err... series of books)

 

bust out the playboy and start faping

 

Sorry Lt.

Not being able to make steam our any other power source because of some random change in physics makes it even more unrealistic than it already is.

Knowledge is hard to contain and since we would know that stuff like steam power existed before the change then humans would be relentless in trying to another efficient power source.


Plus, solar panels would be left over right?

 

Well... yeah it is a bit unrealistic... but so are Zombies, yet we always talk about them.

Solar Panels won't work either... electricity does not exist any more in this fictional book except for small amounts such as that in our body. Theres also no lightning either!

We obviously would know how to make steam powered technology but it wouldn't work not because of a loss of knowledge but because of a radical change to the laws of physics.

Like I said the books hint at Alien/otherworldly influence causing the change.