Dilemma #1: Truth in the Void

Information wars and the collapse of communication systems

It has been three weeks since the signal disappeared.

You wake up each day, hoping for a ping, a post, anything—but the web stays silent. The feeds are gone, and with them the alerts, the updates, the constant hum of the world online.

The libraries are open, but even there you can’t get access to any information besides the print collection and digital archives.

“It might as well all be catalogued as ancient history,” you think to yourself.

In the absence of answers, the streets start talking.

Flyers appear on lampposts.

Chalk scrawls spread along sidewalks.

Graffiti on walls.

Monologues and debates on street corners and park gazebos.

Even text chains spring up, because the aunties and uncles still have insanely long messages to share, WhatsApp or not.

Someone down the street sets up a bulletin board titled “The Truth Wall,” now filled with what’s sure to be a healthy blend of conspiracy theories, appeals for help, offers of support and actual truth.

…

Then, one night, you pick up a voice on the radio you traded your favourite jacket for.

It’s clearer than anything you’ve heard since the collapse — calm, composed, rehearsed, and great audio quality.

The speaker claims to represent the Unified Collective for Civil Restoration (UCCR).

The UCCR claims to have a recovery plan. They’re rolling out printed updates, community rationing systems, even safety patrols.

But there’s one condition.

They ask everyone to stop sharing unofficial information—information not verified by the official UCCR channels. Followers must adhere to their content guidelines, and shut down and report any dissidents.

…

You’re finally able to call your parents regularly, after fishing out your old 3G cell phone and trading for a compatible charging cord.

Since they have cable TV, they’re able to share official government messages with you, which keep getting hacked off the radio airwaves, and destroyed wherever they show up in print.

The UCCR folks have also taken over a local TV station, where they refute all claims of restoration efforts by the government.

They claim it’s a conspiracy to keep citizens docile and compliant. To justify the increased police presence everywhere.

But the UCCR offers “people power,” encouraging locals to become vigilantes, so long as they follow the UCCR mandate of “localized” resource monitoring and government spying.

…

Some in your neighborhood welcome the order. Others whisper that this feels more like control.

Tensions rise between those (with cable) who believe the government, and others who flock to the strong personality leadership of the UCCR.

You’re caught in the middle.

You could amplify the UCCR’s message, and secure your safety — but at what cost? Or you could follow the official government line of internet restoration, clinging onto the last thread of hope you could muster that things will ever get back to normal.

…

When you wake up the following morning, there’s a pamphlet under your door.

A secret transmission from an Analog Futures group.

They map out a route to peace, prosperity and connection, without ever getting fully back online like before…

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What will you do?

We’ll meet you here again next week — if the radios stay on.

In the meantime, share your input by Friday!

Signed,
Dispatch Control

Now joining us? Read through the Opening Scenario here:

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✍️Weekly Artifact Prompt

Draft the contents of an information pamphlet in this information void.

Will your pamphlet reflect the message of the government, the UCCR, or Analog Futures? Or something/someone else entirely?

(If you feel called to share, tag us on Instagram @theclimateverse with the hashtag #WorldWithoutInternet.)