Sixty years after a devastating plague, an elderly survivor tries to teach the young generation about pre-plague civilization. But the tribal children cannot comprehend concepts like reading, democracy, or science. The story warns that civilization's accumulated knowledge can vanish within a single generation if transmission mechanisms (schools, books, institutions) are destroyed.
Relevant to knowledge preservation efforts (Long Now Foundation), concerns about institutional knowledge loss, and pandemic preparedness planning.
Domains: Social Engineering and PsychologyPandemics and Biological Threats
Scenario Types: Warning / Self-preventing prophecyCautionary tale
Outcomes: CatastrophicCautionary