Comments on: The Dog Stars: terrific book about life after 99.9% of humans are wiped out http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 17:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: msbpodcast http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544655 msbpodcast Sat, 29 Sep 2012 11:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544655 That would <b><i>not</i></b> be a paradise. The 99%ers would be gone. (There go the <i>worker bees</i> and the <i>sheeple</i>.)  The 1%ers would be gone (Okay nobody needs their "<i>my shit don't stink</i>" atitude, but some do have managerial skills.) That would leave the oligarchs who would be at a complete loss because their money and power would mean nothing. (Their "thousand year" problems of "<b>What would their distant descendants do with their pile of cash</b>" would mean nothing. They would be kings without subjects and quite unprepared for life.) Might as well go back to the soil and farm. That would not be a paradise.

The 99%ers would be gone. (There go the worker bees and the sheeple.) 

The 1%ers would be gone (Okay nobody needs their “my shit don’t stink” atitude, but some do have managerial skills.)

That would leave the oligarchs who would be at a complete loss because their money and power would mean nothing. (Their “thousand year” problems of “What would their distant descendants do with their pile of cash” would mean nothing. They would be kings without subjects and quite unprepared for life.)

Might as well go back to the soil and farm.

]]> By: sockdoll http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544617 sockdoll Sat, 29 Sep 2012 06:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544617 <blockquote>Earth Abides</blockquote> I don't know about you but I take comfort in that.

Earth Abides

I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that.

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544614 Halloween_Jack Sat, 29 Sep 2012 06:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544614 As described, the book seems to miss one big, important factor: most people <i>want</i> to be with other people, and I don't mean just one other person but as many people as can survive off the available resources using whatever level of technology (medicine, defense, agriculture, etc.) is available to them. They want simple companionship, mutual defense, decent choice of available mates, and the ability to specialize skills for the more intelligent ones. <i>The Stand</i> got that much right, even if much of the plot is driven by mysticism.  As described, the book seems to miss one big, important factor: most people want to be with other people, and I don’t mean just one other person but as many people as can survive off the available resources using whatever level of technology (medicine, defense, agriculture, etc.) is available to them. They want simple companionship, mutual defense, decent choice of available mates, and the ability to specialize skills for the more intelligent ones. The Stand got that much right, even if much of the plot is driven by mysticism. 

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544613 Halloween_Jack Sat, 29 Sep 2012 06:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544613  Most canned food doesn't last for even a few years, never mind decades.  Most canned food doesn’t last for even a few years, never mind decades.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544564 SomeGuyNamedMark Sat, 29 Sep 2012 03:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544564 Probably the leftover remains would act like a raw material.  Sort of a form of hunting and gathering in their own way.  For instance, it would be far easier to look for scrap iron than to try to smelt it from raw ore.  Once the easy pickings were gone then people would have to move on to farming. Probably the leftover remains would act like a raw material.  Sort of a form of hunting and gathering in their own way.  For instance, it would be far easier to look for scrap iron than to try to smelt it from raw ore.  Once the easy pickings were gone then people would have to move on to farming.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544562 SomeGuyNamedMark Sat, 29 Sep 2012 03:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544562 I'm surrounded by a Sid Meier's game? I’m surrounded by a Sid Meier’s game?

]]> By: Vincenzo Ravina http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544546 Vincenzo Ravina Sat, 29 Sep 2012 03:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544546 I like your idea about a travelogue, actually. I like your idea about a travelogue, actually.

]]> By: John Ousterhout http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544528 John Ousterhout Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544528 I don't read much of this genre, but these three books were interesting as the location was where I live. I liked them.  Dies the Fire (2004) shows the effects on the planet of something called "The Change". Electricity, guns, explosives, internal combustion engines, and steam power no longer work. The series mostly deals with the Willamette Valley area of Oregon, with some description of the United Kingdom. After describing how people in those places survive the loss of 600 years of technological progress, the primary focus of this series turns to a conflict between a Portland-based neo-feudal dictatorship created by a sociopathic history professor, and the free communities of the Willamette Valley, most notably the Wiccan Clan Mackenzie and a group led by a former Marine, the Bearkillers. by S.M. Stirling . Dies the Fire . The Protector's War . A Meeting at Corvallis I don’t read much of this genre, but these three books were interesting as the location was where I live. I liked them.

 Dies the Fire (2004) shows the effects on the planet of something called “The Change”. Electricity, guns, explosives, internal combustion engines, and steam power no longer work. The series mostly deals with the Willamette Valley area of Oregon, with some description of the United Kingdom. After describing how people in those places survive the loss of 600 years of technological progress, the primary focus of this series turns to a conflict between a Portland-based neo-feudal dictatorship created by a sociopathic history professor, and the free communities of the Willamette Valley, most notably the Wiccan Clan Mackenzie and a group led by a former Marine, the Bearkillers.

by S.M. Stirling
. Dies the Fire
. The Protector’s War
. A Meeting at Corvallis

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544523 oasisob1 Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544523 Yeah you beat me to it. Yeah you beat me to it.

]]> By: Michael Crumpton http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544454 Michael Crumpton Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544454  Most folks can't keep their houseplants alive let alone deal with the months long process of plowing, planting, irrigating, dealing with pests and animals, and then if the weather cooperates, harvest. If you add to that the lack of fuels and farming implements designed to be used without engine power, survival would be a real crapshoot for an inexperienced farmer.  Most folks can’t keep their houseplants alive let alone deal with the months long process of plowing, planting, irrigating, dealing with pests and animals, and then if the weather cooperates, harvest. If you add to that the lack of fuels and farming implements designed to be used without engine power, survival would be a real crapshoot for an inexperienced farmer.

]]> By: spejic http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544411 spejic Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544411 <blockquote>Am I the only one who finds most of those books, especially recent ones, to be clandestinely misanthropic and even wishful?</blockquote>Maybe after 99.9% of people are dead, killing the remaining 0.1% with guns becomes plausible.

Am I the only one who finds most of those books, especially recent ones, to be clandestinely misanthropic and even wishful?

Maybe after 99.9% of people are dead, killing the remaining 0.1% with guns becomes plausible.

]]> By: Nagurski http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544349 Nagurski Fri, 28 Sep 2012 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544349 It probably won't ruin the book for me, but in my experience your average carp will put up a much better, longer fight than your average trout. They are so clever and wily.  It probably won’t ruin the book for me, but in my experience your average carp will put up a much better, longer fight than your average trout. They are so clever and wily. 

]]> By: Sparg http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544321 Sparg Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544321 I've got this to read after finishing David Weber's Honor Harrington series. Ever read Kim Stanley Robinson's <i>The Years of Salt and Rice</i>?  It's an excellent alternative history novel in a world where the Black Plague kills 99% of Europeans during the beginning of 15th Century. I’ve got this to read after finishing David Weber’s Honor Harrington series.

Ever read Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Years of Salt and Rice?  It’s an excellent alternative history novel in a world where the Black Plague kills 99% of Europeans during the beginning of 15th Century.

]]> By: OtherMichael http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544316 OtherMichael Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544316 without conflict, there's not much a novel. A travelogue, maybe.... without conflict, there’s not much a novel. A travelogue, maybe….

]]> By: OtherMichael http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544291 OtherMichael Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544291 "Earth Abides" covers this explicitly, how the survivors "knew" they should be making themselves independent, but that it always came down to being so much easier to scavenge (in their case, from abandoned stores, rather than via conflict and theft). It was a fascinating, depressing novel. “Earth Abides” covers this explicitly, how the survivors “knew” they should be making themselves independent, but that it always came down to being so much easier to scavenge (in their case, from abandoned stores, rather than via conflict and theft).

It was a fascinating, depressing novel.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544279 retepslluerb Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544279 the scenario as described doesn't make much sense. sure, some resources  will become extremely rare, especially pharmaceuticals, but those are the same resources where there will be little competition. food? enough canned food for multiple lifetimes.  and most of that stuff is good for deades. fresh meat? even in central europe deer and rabbits will make a spectacular comeback. fish too. seeds for farming aplenty. it would be good to pull people together, so pockets of civilisation can be maintained more easily.  me, i'd look for places with hydroelectric power. these things *last*  the scenario as described doesn’t make much sense. sure, some resources  will become extremely rare, especially pharmaceuticals, but those are the same resources where there will be little competition.

food? enough canned food for multiple lifetimes.  and most of that stuff is good for deades.

fresh meat? even in central europe deer and rabbits will make a spectacular comeback.

fish too.

seeds for farming aplenty.

it would be good to pull people together, so pockets of civilisation can be maintained more easily.  me, i’d look for places with hydroelectric power. these things *last* 

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544263 Finnagain Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544263  I found that one to be rather comforting, for whatever reason. And it was surprising to read just how quickly the earth will swallow up our leavings.  I found that one to be rather comforting, for whatever reason. And it was surprising to read just how quickly the earth will swallow up our leavings.

]]> By: Marko Raos http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544264 Marko Raos Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544264 It's cultural bias from our overpopulated Earth. (Am I the only one who finds most of those books, especially recent ones, to be clandestinely misanthropic and even wishful?) I am sure that once the period of initial savagery is concluded, the drive for civilization would again take over. In that respect I consider "Canticle for Leibowitz" the best of the lot, with "I am legend" a close second with vampyros themselves settling for a nice civilized existence as time goes by. It’s cultural bias from our overpopulated Earth. (Am I the only one who finds most of those books, especially recent ones, to be clandestinely misanthropic and even wishful?) I am sure that once the period of initial savagery is concluded, the drive for civilization would again take over. In that respect I consider “Canticle for Leibowitz” the best of the lot, with “I am legend” a close second with vampyros themselves settling for a nice civilized existence as time goes by.

]]> By: stravis http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544257 stravis Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544257 For anyone who is interested in a great analytical thought experiment, there is a non-fiction account of the world without us entitled... "The World Without Us", by the amazing Alan Weisman. He examines the decay and return of nature to abandoned areas like Prypiat (Chernobyl) and Cyprus and projects what this would be like on a large scale to a city like New York. For anyone who is interested in a great analytical thought experiment, there is a non-fiction account of the world without us entitled… “The World Without Us”, by the amazing Alan Weisman. He examines the decay and return of nature to abandoned areas like Prypiat (Chernobyl) and Cyprus and projects what this would be like on a large scale to a city like New York.

]]> By: waetherman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544243 waetherman Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544243 I found this book to be engaging, if somewhat simplistic. The writing style and plot are so similar to The Road though that it was seemed derivative  Not that it's a bad thing, but it was hardly original or genre-defining. I found this book to be engaging, if somewhat simplistic. The writing style and plot are so similar to The Road though that it was seemed derivative  Not that it’s a bad thing, but it was hardly original or genre-defining.

]]> By: arthurdove http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544227 arthurdove Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544227 Glad to see this get mentioned. The audio version is superb as well--given Heller's fragmentary style, it might even be better than the print experience. Mark Deakins does a great job narrating. I'm almost finished with it, compelled to listen but not wanting it to end quite yet. Glad to see this get mentioned. The audio version is superb as well–given Heller’s fragmentary style, it might even be better than the print experience. Mark Deakins does a great job narrating. I’m almost finished with it, compelled to listen but not wanting it to end quite yet.

]]> By: Barbara Terry http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544222 Barbara Terry Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544222 Well, I've never read any of these.  For starters, I just added Earth Abides to my Wish List.  Amazing that someone who reads as much as I do missed these. Looking forward to fixing that problem.  Thanks for the tips! Well, I’ve never read any of these.  For starters, I just added Earth Abides to my Wish List.  Amazing that someone who reads as much as I do missed these. Looking forward to fixing that problem.  Thanks for the tips!

]]> By: PlutoniumX http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544217 PlutoniumX Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544217 Sold me too!  And I am going to look into Emergence as well, thanks!  Any other suggestions in this sub-genre? Sold me too!  And I am going to look into Emergence as well, thanks! 

Any other suggestions in this sub-genre?

]]> By: Glen Able http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544202 Glen Able Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544202 Thanks...I've just finished 'Wool' and can recommend that too.  (Grab it soon so you can say you read it before the film came out!) Thanks…I’ve just finished ‘Wool’ and can recommend that too.  (Grab it soon so you can say you read it before the film came out!)

]]> By: petertrepan http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544203 petertrepan Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544203 Because it's much easier to take something than it is to produce it. I think that's the primary reason why civilization took such a long time to get started in the first place. Because it’s much easier to take something than it is to produce it. I think that’s the primary reason why civilization took such a long time to get started in the first place.

]]> By: SpeedRacer http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544190 SpeedRacer Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544190 So let's do some math. There are about 5 million people living in Colorado, according to the US Census. A plague that wipes out 99.9% of humanity would reduce that population to about 5,000 people.  I am having a real hard time imaging any serious competition for resources, let alone marauding hordes. So let’s do some math. There are about 5 million people living in Colorado, according to the US Census. A plague that wipes out 99.9% of humanity would reduce that population to about 5,000 people. 

I am having a real hard time imaging any serious competition for resources, let alone marauding hordes.

]]> By: John Napsterista http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544189 John Napsterista Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:25:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544189  Emergence is also one of my all-time favorites.  Is Tracking (serialized in <i>Analog</i> magazine) available online anywhere?  Emergence is also one of my all-time favorites.  Is Tracking (serialized in Analog magazine) available online anywhere?

]]> By: JB Zimmerman http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544182 JB Zimmerman Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544182 If this genre interests you, let me recommend one of my favorites from the 1980s - 'Emergence' by David Palmer.  There is a sequel which was published in serial form called 'Tracking.' If this genre interests you, let me recommend one of my favorites from the 1980s – ‘Emergence’ by David Palmer.  There is a sequel which was published in serial form called ‘Tracking.’

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544172 Boundegar Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544172 One thing I've never understood about depopulated future dystopias is why people don't just get busy farming instead of killing each other over 30 year old Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee.  I mean sure, 99% of us have lost that skill set, but the knowledge is still there in books, and in some scenarios the farmers will be the survivors anyway.  Stupid protagonists. One thing I’ve never understood about depopulated future dystopias is why people don’t just get busy farming instead of killing each other over 30 year old Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee.  I mean sure, 99% of us have lost that skill set, but the knowledge is still there in books, and in some scenarios the farmers will be the survivors anyway.  Stupid protagonists.

]]> By: Finnagain http://boingboing.net/2012/09/28/the-dog-stars-terrific-book-a.html#comment-1544163 Finnagain Fri, 28 Sep 2012 16:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=184092#comment-1544163  You can read the news from the comfort and safety of your room, surrounded by Civilization. Let's talk again in thirty years.  You can read the news from the comfort and safety of your room, surrounded by Civilization. Let’s talk again in thirty years.

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