On a planet with periodic extinction-level seismic events (Fifth Seasons), the people with the power to control earthquakes (orogenes) are the most persecuted minority, creating a system where the only people who can save civilization are the ones it oppresses.
Models the paradox of oppressing the people you depend on: relevant to essential worker exploitation, immigration policy (deporting workers you need), and any system that persecutes the very capabilities it requires for survival.
Domains: Climate and Environmental ChangeGovernance and Political SystemsSocial Engineering and Psychology
Scenario Types: Thought experiment / What-ifWarning / Self-preventing prophecy
Outcomes: CautionaryTransformative
Tags: periodic-apocalypseoppressed-saviorsessential-worker-paradox