Earth Abides - Dystopias and Apocalypses - Extra Sci Fi

[@extrahistory]

Earth Abides revolves around humankind nearly being wiped out not by atomics, but by plague. It brings in to sci-fi the post-war question of whether an ever increasing human population is truly sustainable. But perhaps more important to the history of sci-fi, it’ll ask a question that is almost a cliché in science fiction today, but was nearly unexplored at the time: the question of how you rebuild after a collapse.

[@afishwithagun2190]

👌

[@tobigrussia1372]

METRO 2033 BOIS!!!!!!

[@maxfieldjoyner5244]

Extra Credits WHEN WILL YOU DO FALLOUT??

[@floydkirk6783]

Um I have a question what books are you all going to be covering because in a little more than a month I will be in basic training and I won't be able to watch the videos but I want to be able to read them when I do have time. If you don't respond I understand and I just wish you all have a good summer

[@aeronevalerio789]

Hey @Extra Credits can you make an extra history episode about the Philippine revolution and General Antonio Luna

[@HandmadeGoose97]

This series really ties the channel together

[@extrahistory]

I'm really glad you think so! I love doing this series so I'm always sad to see that it gets way less viewership than everything else. -James Portnow

[@rachaelconners6496]

It's the least?! But I love the sci fi episodes!

[@torabisurandomT]

*general perfrence is to give to people than media (oops with messaging)

[@torabisurandomT]

Like it's hard to use the scientific model here, in that unlike a game here on youtube you're unable to pause and try out another possiblity; like in extra poltics conclusion noting how policy & poltical design has to be implemented while playing the political game; not that it's impossible or fruitless using the scientific method, quite the opposite, but there's limitations. Hence I guess the combination of methods and the faith we're able to learn & master the system

[@alexandersteiner213]

Ha, I see what you did there. I like your style, dude.

[@alexcarter8807]

Here's a mind-blower: I grew up hearing about how the Indians up in the Andes were primitive because they never invented the wheel. Well it turns out they never *needed* to.

[@orkkojit]

Necessity is the mother of invention

[@Cortesevasive]

they literally had children toys with wheels

[@JeremiahNanninga09]

I'm enjoying the implication that Robert Walpole causes the Apocalypse.

[@mygills3050]

Robert walpole is guilty for everything

[@PariahEarth]

"You can call me the Earth or His Earthness or El Eartharino if you're not into the whole brevity thing."

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Sir Earthalot.

[@petermaxley]

Pure gold

[@feha92]

Earth von Duck

[@silvertheelf]

Tribe = beginning of city Stone = beginning of technology Primitive knowledge = beginning of advanced knowledge History = future

[@patrickblanchette4337]

For a post-apocalyptic story, Earth Abides is very optimistic!

[@pifilixxiv3192]

yeah... makes me think of wanting to make a game alike this book

[@RoyalFusilier]

Early entries into what they make a huge genre are often unlike what comes after. Like, a lot of apocalypses are content to stay in stage 1 forever, the immediate survival, and just not move on to see how things change or rebuild.

[@Pandor18]

It´s known as Cosy Catastrophe

[@Crosis101]

And the message came, “ ALAS, BABYLON”! and The Postman rose into the thousand year night, and the vultures feasted that season.

[@curiousworld7912]

@Crosis101: Well-done. :)

[@mystuff9999]

I stumbled across this book in my father‘s library in July 2020. As a non-native speaker it caught my attention because I couldn’t get its title to make sense at first. Read it in full that same day. Even though I would say there‘s actually not that much happening in the book I have seldom read a book that has gripped me as much…

[@commmander64]

3:28 that is literally a concept I never heard of today. I need more of that very untouched idea.

[@rbdriftin]

Earth Abides is one of my all-time favourite novels. Just gorgeous.

[@NickHyatt-ROCKS]

Very relevant book

[@AllSeeingEy3]

PostApocalyptia will be lost if they fail to remember the lessons of Walpole...

[@greenland5206]

Religion centered around Walpole?

[@barrybend7189]

He always has a plan?

[@frankharr9466]

@@barrybend7189 "He always has a plan?" That was Bismark.

[@artofthepossible7329]

@@frankharr9466 Wapole is the executioner of the plans and witness to all events.

[@frankharr9466]

@@artofthepossible7329 "Wapole is the executioner of the plans and witness to all events." Walpole does things. But Bismark is the one who always has a plan, even if it's to wait until better odds.

[@psycologo121]

I love Fallout, so I am always interested in learning where all the ideas got their start.

[@matthewclark703]

i always know that war, war never changes

[@wanderingrandomer]

@@GoggleGum This is primarily a channel about video games, though.

[@ScoffMathews]

I like all of your series, but extra sci-fi is by far my favorite and the one that inspires me to read all of the books.

[@gargoyles9999]

Earth: Yeah well,that's just, like your opinion man.

[@hiddenhist]

I’m amazed at how many good videos you all have been able to make from this series on science fiction!!!

[@arturowagner4728]

Great video. Pretty much the exact same thing happened during the Bronze age collapse and the Fall of the western Roman empire...

[@donaldobrien9171]

but today all the metal ores are poor quality, and the fossil fuels are hard to get. rebooting technological civilization will not happen. the utube channel fall of civilizations has many excellent videos on this subject

[@dennisb0019]

Please do “A Canticle for Leibowitz”

[@extrahistory]

No comment ; )

[@ourtube4266]

Fiat Lux!

[@DigitalLibrarian]

Hells Yeah!

[@chickensforthechickengod9337]

Extra credits vid? *[surprised picka-* Wait oh god no PIKACHU NOOOOOOOO

[@yaumelepire6310]

Well that’s pretty much the most hopeful message you can get out of a post-apocalypse!

[@_gamma.]

This has been one of my favorite books since high school, great little video!

[@lordsirdragor]

Probably my all time favorite fiction novel.

[@IchigoGyuunyu]

I'd be curious to see you cover "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" if ya wanna get really bleak.

[@seventeenthletter17]

Is

[@NoName-fc3xe]

@@seventeenthletter17 Sparta!

[@ViscountAlexOfTheHorsePeople]

A Harlan Ellison episode would be tight!

[@Cosmic_889]

Mate am loving the art style, really nice visual

[@hcolli]

Sounds a lot like Horizon Zero and some of those conflicts. Pretty cool, thanks y'all!

[@PoorMuttski]

I was about to post the exact same thing. I wonder if they read the book?

[@Haseri8]

Part of me would love an Extra Literature series, spinning off from the Jane Austen Extra History episode

[@reignrevival2689]

Honestly I got the majority of the books featured in this series and Earth Abides was pretty low on my list, however after reading it's at the top of that list and even being one of my favorite books of all time.

[@kaydenvera6804]

Knowing our problems with Linear A I fear that not teaching a generation about reading or writing would somehow make everyone forget the english alphabet.

[@DetectiveThursday]

Which segues most likely into the next book they ought cover, "A Canticle For Leibowitz" in which all the optimism and hopes at the end of this book are dashed, because war, war never changes.

[@tonysladky8925]

I'll echo the voices telling you to do A Canticle for Liebowitz. But also, once you get out of the dystopia and post-apocalyptic kick and are open to just doing general sci-fi, Mary Doria Russell's "The Sparrow" could easily fuel a few videos.

[@DD8842]

I drive a lot for work and I'm taking a second to say I have found a few audio books I enjoy from this channel. Just giving props where it's due.

[@ResonantLive_]

Actually one of my favourite books!

[@kylestacks7197]

Thanks to my uncle I heard this on cassette tape as a kid and I thought it was the coolest thing ever

[@FeralLogic]

I think that deep down, instinctively, we understand we are too many and we have made life in the world complex - thus the appeal for a great reduction in and simplification of who and what we are appeals to us.

[@Rocketboy1313]

This book has been on my Audible wish list for 2 years now. The list never seems to get shorter.

[@DeclanMBrennan]

The illustrations are getting better all the time - each picture succinctly telling an episode of the story like a latter day Bayeux tapestry or Parthenon Frieze.

[@cuniving7831]

The protagonist and his wife has to be one of the earliest examples of a positive interracial relationship in relatively mainstream media that I can think of in America during that era.

[@Nordicscholar]

That feel when you go "I read that book!" during the intro. Feels well red man.

[@thomassmith8741]

This is haunting today

[@Monarchist123]

You are my favorite KZbin

[@TrainerGre3n]

KZbin is my favorite youtube too

[@ez4ed885]

Nate Kammerer thanks, really cheered me up seeing this

[@50TNCSA]

Watching this in the pandemic of 2020 scary man scary

[@Passance]

Inflection point. Wickedly accurate choice of words.

[@nerdherdbase]

Watching this in 2020 is.... Quaint

[@christiebailey1479]

Man, now I want to see them do a video on Fallout. Probably will never come but oh well.

[@Passance]

Fallout is a common example I bring up when I'm describing games as art. None of the installments are by any measure perfect games, nor are they personal favourites of mine. But how they use the medium to convey their unique message of an iconic problem is a perfect example of games as an art form and I love to talk about them. So don't get me started, heh.

[@lashropa]

Earth Abides! I've never met anyone else that knows this one. Nice. I think about Ish & Em every time I cross the bay bridge.

[@japeking1]

According to "A Canticle for Leibowitz" ( Walter Millar) , next time round will probably be worse.

[@djfoof3518]

Rats be like:*SNAP*

[@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874]

You should've gone for the head...

[@themarchoftime3691]

@@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874 you should've have used that poison on me...

[@robertgronewold3326]

I am assuming we'll soon be hearing about "Alas Babylon".

[@ewfisher89]

I can definitely see the influence this work had on my favorite post-apocalyptic series of novels, William W. Johnstone's "The Ashes" series. Book one closely follows stage 1 (traveling and documenting events after sleeping through WWIII after being swarmed by bees) and 2 (builds a functional society that works for those who choose to follow the very simple and fair laws), but takes a turn as our main character Ben Raines (a retired special forces soldier and author) leads his followers around the world kicking the shit out of those who prey on the weak and helpless and bringing order and stability. I'm on I believe book 15 out of I think 30-33. Certainly not too thought provoking, but just a simple fun read.

[@irishcat318]

You guys make my day everyday!

[@herkles1]

*crosses fingers* I hope they cover A Canticle for Leibowitz next :)

[@raphaelcorletta6809]

Love that book!

[@euansmith3699]

"Three cars in every garage! Three eyes on every fish!"

[@andrewmelnikov292]

Love the series. Gradual reintroduction of technology can be seen in the end of Babylon 5 where a post-apocalyptic mankind is slowly nurtured back to normal by its space survivors. And in many fiction works we see how "speeding up the progress" can either not work at all or go horribly wrong. Moreover, some of the more modern Sci-fi (like Star Trek) introduce some social rules directly prohibiting intervention into alien progress because it can have bad and hard-to-foresee consequences.

[@brockmckelvey7327]

PLAYER PIANO!!!! I love that book!

[@geofff.3343]

"I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but I know that the next world war will be fought with sticks and rocks." Albert Einstein EDIT: Also you cannot talk about the Apocalypse genre without doing A Canticle for Leibowitz guys. I'll be really disappointed if you guys never touch on Canticle.

[@jamesstewart3856]

Canticle is 100% on of the top 10 apocalypse novels, if not top 3

[@gargoyles9999]

Geoff F. True, but they'll fight WW5 with MIND POWERS

[@stifflermclovin]

This story is so similar to Jack London's The Scarlet Plague written in 1912!

[@zhubajie6940]

"The Earth Abides" (George Stewart), "Alas, Babylon" (Pat Frank) and Canticle for Liebowitz (Walter Miller whose daughter I know) are my favorites. So much better than Mad Max crap or any other Apocalypse pablum (zombies, etc.) Hollywood pumps out today. This tradition actually goes back to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's "Last Man" that you should have mentioned.

[@peterkershaw11]

From what I'm seeing, Earth Abides is almost like an opposite to H.G. Well's The Time Machine. Main character jumps forward in time, in Earth Abides by nature, in The Time machine by science, finds a completely different world than before, an apocalypse and an utopia respectively, the people there have changed with either human instincts or ignorant bliss. And how the world left behind is regarded in both books makes an interesting comparison. While in Earth Abides, it's told but never preserved, and in The Time Machine it's preserved but never told. …I love being a sci-fi nerd.

[@FaoladhTV]

The Time Machine was by Wells, not Verne, and it's hard to consider many of its ideas as depicting any kind of a utopia. It's more about evolution than utopias, and presented a satirical look at the problems of the social hierarchy of England at the time.

[@bussyenjoyer6933]

You guys should do the graphic novel, "V for Vendetta".

[@Cramhead43]

THE DUDE ABIDES. god i love the big lebowski 0:19

[@duckgoesquack4514]

What a strong message

[@teak43]

Great discussion

[@hyenaedits3460]

Sounds like a book I have to read! Most dystopias and apocalypses are so dismal; I'm shocked that one of the most influential ones has such a hopeful message!

[@Sparkle8205]

I need to sleep for a test tomorrow, but I need to watch this.

[@rawrthedinosawr9659]

oh boy its fun to watch this video in 2021

[@EcclesiastesLiker-py5ts]

Very much appreciated the Frankenstein reference.

[@seklarian1522]

Great job as always!

[@arthurphillips4870]

Hoping one of those books that deals with Nuclear Annhilarion is “A Cantacle for Liebowitz.”

[@elephant3109]

i know, few will care to notice, but the extra sci fi theme's made by the same guys who made the steven universe soundtracks. just a thought to think about

[@MrJJBhizzle]

I have never seen a Apocalyptic world book, even 1984, treated with more reverence by people outside the niche market for these books, than Earth Abides. Grandma said it's literature, and THAT'S saying something! XD

[@isaacthek]

Anyone else thought the title was an oblique reference to The Great Lebowski? I feel like a philistine ...

[@gmosphere]

Men go and come but the Dude abides.

[@jeric_synergy8581]

Right, because the author was a time traveler. ::eyeroll::

[@parac0sm0naut26]

A very memorable read.

[@superriley1093]

This is scarily relevent now

[@Giraffinator]

What an amazing book

[@chingleukdanny]

Please let one of the following episodes be A Canticle For Leibowitz. So many similar themes treated in insightful ways.

[@doom7ish]

Immediately realizes the things we are in at the moment.

[@AntonAdelson]

"Perhaps, this is a better FOUNDATION to start again." I think I know what you did there!

[@AshenDruid]

I like how Stirling dealt with these issues in his Emberverse series

[@r3kt4u20]

4:57 Wow that slightly hidden history joke like sentence was a *slaps knee* knee slapper.

[@MixMasterJ1221]

This is pretty darn good

[@cinemachild1542]

why does the picture in 4:28 remind me so much of the scene in "The Stand" where Mother Abigail tries to protect herself and her food from wolves? (if i remember correctly)

[@nicksmith8293]

Stage 2: exist Me:plays rdr2’s house building theme

[@tiplady44]

Another great Sci Fi story

[@KeitieKalopsia]

This is a surprisingly optimistic post-apocalyptic book!

[@mememationsyt3556]

I’m so hyped for this 😁

[@Intro2Love]

Cool series 👍

[@BIONEX100]

This metaphor has a much broader application than face value. Very insightful.

[@stephenhaag2358]

I need to read that book again

[@rickimaru915]

Seems like Metro Exodus took some ideas from this story. There’s a section where you enter a forest full of young and somewhat childlike people who co-exist with nature. Turns out that they’re from a children’s camp in the forest and they revere their (now dead) teacher who protected and taught them.

[@54032Zepol]

love this book

[@olodiandrew219]

There is a series of it coming 1st December

[@fertilehopsbrewery2883]

Could a overview of Alas Babylon or by the waters of Babylon. There was also a short story about a automated house that was still running after humans were destroyed after a nuclear war. Thank You.

[@zzamorano1717]

Are you talking about Ray Bradbury's There will come soft rain?

[@SgtCandy]

Do 'A Canticle for Leibowitz' please!

[@davidhueso]

Just finish arting that one mate

[@SgtCandy]

@@davidhueso awesome, much appreciated!

[@XzoahX]

That plague opening sounds a lot more realistic now than when this video came out.

[@opentile_minis8659]

3:41 foooor the brotherhood!!

[@crimson8170]

Oh this is geat i hope we see the postman and alas Babylon in later episodes

[@josiethompson2420]

Ooh, nice use of inflection point! More people should bring calculus concepts into everyday speech!

[@extragarb]

I agree! I quite like inflection point applied in other contexts. It's useful to have a word that specifically describes this type of tipping point. I never got much further than high school calculus, but there's a lot of really useful language about things that are changing. Lots of vocabulary and concepts I enjoy applying when I do dynamic actions like depressing a gas pedal while driving (and most other actions related to driving, really)

[@morithedoll7537]

for some reason this makes me want to write a fantasy/sci-fi type story

[@mathieuleader8601]

so hopeful

[@atomictoad399]

Love your videos, you should do one on the day of the Triffids :)