Something worth remembering about 40ks' Age of Strife this that the AI rebellion favoured worlds who'd rejected advanced tech, and instilled fear of it among its survivours. It's not that humanity can't innovate in 40k, it's that the overwhelming majority won't, and punish those that do.

I can't remember the name of it, but I remember reading what I thought was a fantasy story, but turned out to be a techno barbarian one. It starts out with the main charecter finding a "magic staff" that they have to "summon" an "ancient spirit" so they can learn the "spells" to use it. Except as the story goes on you realise its a directed energy weapon, the spirit is a deactivated AI, the rituals are actually a reboot procedure, and the "spells" he learns is actually computer coding to repair the damaged weapon. It was very cleverly written, and I legitimatley only started picking up halfway through that it wasn't a magic/fantasy story, but rather one about reactivating long forgotten tech.

When we look at historical situations such as the Bronze Age Collapse and Roman Britain, what normally seems to cause techno barbarism is that either the demand for a technology is removed (because of population loss) or a crucial ingredient for a technology that had to be imported is lost, and does not return for twenty or thirty years. This leads to a loss in practical experience for how the technology is integrated into infrastructure, and makes restoring the technology prohibitively expensive.

I used to think that the fusion will be the most important new technology we're about to get but now I see that it is actually nano-duct-tape

"While duct tape is said to fix anything, it sure doesn't apply to nanoscopic technologies." Not with that attitude, it doesn't.

*THUNDER WARRIORS INTENSIFIES*

Final Fantasy XIV would be an example of a techno-barbarian civilization written well. ancient technology survives but most people live lives distant from it, cellphones that are 5,000 years old get dug up and people collect them, but they arent seen as anything of actual practical value. however you could also argue FFXIV's world just has better technology since it has magic, and why would you use technology when you can just use aether and crystals.

I remember someone at some point (I think Oculus Imperia) that suggested the term "techno barbarian" in 40k referred more to the way these groups acted despite having access to good technology and that they were purposely called "barbarians" as to remind future readers of the horrendous cultures these people had before the Emperor came and unified Terra.

So... We just wait for the Emperor of Man to deal with these savages?

For those interested in the idea of old tech being revered and ancient blue prints being passed down generation to generation, I'd recommend the book, "A Cantacle for Leibowitz"

We all know that the God-Emperor of Mankind defeated and conquered the Techno-Barbarian Tribes way before M31

Well, we got to see how savage people can be when they run out of toilet paper.

"And then I thought about how people would behave without internet access for a few days." I will carve memes from their bones!

I prefer the term Techno Viking, thank you very much! Praise the Omnissiah.

"Bad at obvious innovations, like realising they could hook up their still-functional fusion reactor to run water purification" James in Fallout 3: Am I a joke to you?

I just want to point out that the W.W.E. has every single bit of their wrestling footage ever recorded in a massive bunker inside a mountain that can withstand everything except a direct nuclear strike... And I feel like this greatly increases the likelihood of techno barbarians popping up in a post-apocalyptic future.✌

Consider your words carefully, Isaac. I have the Black Templars on astronomican speeddial...

Everybody techno barbarian till the emperor rocks up with 10000 thunder warriors

"Culturally unique items..." You mean "Space anime".

>Subscription based tech-prints This reminds me of Starsector where technology is limited literally due to DRM.

I stumbled on your channel about three months ago. Definitely one of my favorites. You just used the term "nano duct tape". As far as science and futurism goes you have got to be one of the very best. Educational AND entertaining. Glad I found this. Please never stop.

Excellent video. 28:25 Looking forward to our collaboration release!

Just a historical comment: if you want to look at a full-on civilizational collapse, the best example is the Bronze Age Collapse. Writing pretty much disappeared in Greece during that time, and most cities in Anatolia were razed to the ground or abandoned.

Here's an interesting question: could some of these mega-structures that we talk about in scifi and other future tech theories plausibly cause artificial eclipses after being built? Orbital mechanics and depending on how big the mega-structures are, I would think this is a possibility. Just an idea.

Came across this link on Reddit, I was captivated from start to finish. You sir are a genius everything is so well thought out and accompanied by facts theories and examples. Everything is built up around solid facts and thesis. It is also brilliantly written and worded so that it stays interesting and never sounds too long winded or buried in an avalanche of over exposure or technicalities. You are s genius and have a gift for this sort of thing. I am subscribed and unfortunately can only like this once but man is this excellent content. Thanks for your effort and time in creating these. This is utterly brilliant.

The best part about WH40k is taking everything is canon, it's just not all true. People in universe just don't know their history, and certain people disagreed

I think the foundation may be a major influence for fallout's institute.

Ak-47: im extremely resilient Browning: thats cute

“Conan, what is best in life?” *”To prepare your snack, sip your drink, and hear the wise words of Issac Arthur!”*

Surely some Luddite references in there too. Something about using the relics of an old or dying world/culture, to continue or ensure its destruction, for what you perceive as your own survival, is reminiscent of the ideals there.

This is one of the coolest channels on KZfaq. I'm mad at myself for not subscribing earlier but now I have a huge backlog of great entertainment. Thanks for the great channel! You rock!

I was looking forward to this. I first found out about it in “if the emperor had a text to speech device “. Soo funny

Military axiom "Amateurs study tactics, Professionals study logistics ".

“Techno Barbarians” is such an cool concept.

Hey isaac, just dyi, i find your voice very relaxing. I fell asleep to your video last night. Gj and keep up the great work.

Techno Barbarians: 0:16 shows an average Russian Hardbass fan.

I am continuously impressed by the consistent high quality of SFIA videos. Well done, as usual.

The concern I have with natural resources in a post-apocalypse would be in ease of use. Iron Age tribes had access to materials at ground level. Industrial Age societies developed ways of harvesting materials from much deeper, and of refining certain ores into useful stuff, but these processes requires a step by step process, using easy gifts to acquire more challenging advancements. I feel like there would be a case in which a society could use up all the "convenient" resources chasing advancement, turning them all into things that are harder to break down for parts, and then the culture is destroyed somehow, making it impossible for them to use the advanced tools and processes that allowed them to access the more challenging resources. Since society would have to rebuild itself from scratch now, they might not have those easy resources available with which to take the first steps towards recovery. I thought of these things while reading Ringworld many years ago, an artificial structure with no "natural" resources, built using materials that are impossible to manipulate without sci-magic tier technologies.

I keep thinking of the Cuban Frankenstein cars with parts from multiple makes and models.

Another great Video, I have to thank you, your content keeps me entertained in these boring times.

Working on my wifes jeep and my ford, I realised I am a techno barbarian. The lines between mechanics and spirituality are blurred! Praise jeepsus! Praise the ford!

I'd love to see a series on engineering plants to grow inorganic components. that'd be awesome fuel for post-apoc story ideas!

I've been waiting for this video since the poll. Thanks for your outstanding work for the imperium of man.

I am sooooo looking forward to your future collaboration with Nick. I'm subbed to both of your channels, and have been for quite some time. This is a splendid match.

Isaac Arthur, one of my personal favorite sci-fi commentators, talking about 40K, my personal favorite dystopian sci-fi for 20+ years. The Emperor is pleased with this video.

A while back, had seen a video of a focilized shoe print that had amazing detail in the stitches of the sole. I forgot how old they estimated it to be. So with that in mind...do you think its possible that we were once a advanced civilization that saw a doomsday event ?

ParallaxNick has a great channel. Well worth the watch. Another great episode, so many people are very down currently, the relentless optimism for the future, tempered with realism is so wonderful to look forward to week after week. Thank you Isaac Arthur and the production crew that make this possible.

I only discovered your content about a month ago and I'm loving your content! Seriously amazing stuff! Please keep up the great work my friend and you have more than earned a subscription from me

So you're telling me we're basically there.

I say we elect Arthur for chieftain of our post apocalypse tribe. We can call it the 'Tribe of the Snack and Drink' or the 'Paperclip Hunters'.

how have i not seen your channel before its awesome

Thanks for the video---Need something to watch tonight. Great

Lots of modern societies where techno-barbarians wield AK47s, RPG-7s, drive Toyota pickups....

Thanks. @2:10 (roughly) - This is an idea that fascinates me - the concept that actual technology could be maintained, but that the scientific understanding behind it would be lost, and people would use something like mysticism or religion in which to couch their use of the knowledge, machines, etc. It makes me wonder about the possibility that even a current theory like say, Relativity, or Quantum Mechanics [even though the latter isn't really a theory - but that's another topic!] could be expressed in mystic or religious 'mumbo-jumbo.' And *_that_* makes me keenly aware of the possibility that our current scientific ideas *_are_***, in some sense, just that: mumbo-jumbo. That's for two main reasons. First, much of our understanding now is based on, or constructed out of, our past understanding - with all our past ***_misunderstandings_* literally encoded into it. For an example, just look at how Platonism has colored (and I would say, largely wrecked!) our thoughts about math, philosophy, & even science. And second, *_LANGUAGE._* Language has limits, and it decides what our understanding, thoughts, & even feelings about something can be. I truly wonder how a scientific theory would "operate" if it were worded differently. We often stumble over ideas because of how we think of them & talk about them in a particular language. There are no words for some things. Besides, most people have zero understanding of how most of the things they use really work. How many of us could build a computer, or an airplane, or a TV, or even a toaster?!? Here's a great quote (from my favorite person to quote: Frank Herbert) *_"Ancient metal workers had no need to understand the molecular and submolecular complexities of their steel, bronze, copper, gold, and tin. They invented mystical powers to describe the unknown while they continued to operate their forges and wield their hammers."_* [from "Heretics of Dune", 1984 (the 5th book in his original Dune series)] We LOVE to think that we understand things. Scientists are particularly vulnerable to this. Don't get me wrong - I believe in the scientific method as something that has indeed brought us the most accurate and useful body of knowledge humankind has ever achieved. But there are real dangers here, too. Look at how much trouble Quantum Gravity is creating! The two most mind-bendingly accurate, successful, and, well, mind-bending theories of all time - and they refuse to behave when we try to put them in the same room! I'm reminded of the Dire Straights lyric from the song "Industrial Disease": "Two men say they're Jesus / One of 'em must be wrong." Consensus is that Relativity is at least partly wrong, but *_not_* Quantum Mechanics. We'll see how that goes! tavi.

i've been waiting so long for this video!

Thank you for all your videos

The part about genetic engineering were Isaac talked about genes (8:30) made me think of the orks in 40K. They also have genes that activate when the conditions are right.

FOR THE EMPEROR!

Great video Isaac 👍

In Master of Mankind by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, the Emperor explicitely orders the execution of a noble/warlord who was responsible for draining the last ocean and trading the water for her own gain. So while the lore probably still imagines major disasters that depleted most of the water or at least started it, humans were most definitely involved in shipping it off Earth and depleting it in that manner.

In 40k, there's only very loose canon, as much of it is written as if the author is within the setting itself. Mechanicus had made raids to Earth, in order to recover technology. And there were numerous other factions in the Sol system, including some xenos outposts. They'd very likely be culprits in extracting Earth's water reserves. That'd actually be quite likely: outer system assets are far apart, most icy moons are likely in the hands of unified factions and Earth is divided by dozens of factions. Earth is therefore the weakest-defended rich water source.

Love how he used the M60 machine gun for an example of a touchy weapon. That thing was always malfunctioning.

You have an awesome accent bro, love this deep dive into old night

Great job Issac. Those 29 minutes went by QUICK this time. Two thumbs up.👍

The M2 machine gun that was used on my crew's humvee in Iraq was made in 1950's, far older than anybody in the entire squadron.

This guy found my mom’s phone and he keeps FaceTiming me telling me to reunite Terra and the lost colonies of mankind In all seriousness, I’m surprised but very happy this video was made.

Love this channel.

Brilliant channel and brilliant fans! Keep up the good work!

I keep thinking about The Lord Humungous and his Dogs of War.

Thundar the barbarian my favorite show mixing technology and mysticism

Your description of this topic brought to mind a story I first read maybe 30 - 35 years ago, "A Canticle for Leibowitz". I do not recall hearing you refer to it or to Walter Miller in any of your videos, so, if you haven't read it, you might enjoy it.

Hey Isaac Arthur, I have been watching your channel for a few months now and I really enjoy it! Keep up the amazing videos!! On that note, now that the pentagon has released videos of the US militaries encounters with "UAP" or Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon can you please do a video of what that would mean if it was extraterrestrial life piloting or commanding the vehicles in the videos? I think it would be very interesting and relevant to what we may be experiencing now on earth. Thank you so much :)

*MY **_OILED_** ABS QUIVER IN EXCITEMEEEENT.*

This planet is already overrun with techno-barbarians.

Very Cool episode

Allways fascinating

Listened to Hari Seldon. Instructions unclear. 40k years later...

If you run out oil, then you lose internal combustion and create a gap between steam power and high tech. Then all that it takes is a massive EMP or a super Carrington level-type event to knock you permanently back to the Victorian or even Edwardian era. I'm not sure if Steam/Clockwork Punk can be considered Techo-barbarianism, but the colonial era sure showed the divide between those who had said tech and those who did not.

I can't wait to see these videos in future to be used as documentaries.

Love this !

Now it just feels like the whole Stargate franchise is about techno-barbarians. I mean, humans, even though kinda organised and civilized, just use technology of other people (mostly Ancients) without fully comprehending how it works, sometimes being able to repair it, but are never capable of building anything comparable.

3:15 As a huge Medieval history nut, thank you for saying this. Too many people are just happy to see the Middle Ages as a big barbaric time with no technological development or science, when the truth is very far from that.

Its midnight, its bedtime, and you sir are leading me down a rabbit hole!!

hahahah the earbud commercial cracked me up

Oh gee. What kind of idiot would intentionally make their civilization and supply chains immensely fragile for the sake of marginally more efficiency? Looks at 2020: O-oh.

YALL NEED THE EMPEROR

Love that you are also a 40K fan )). IMO setting will get more and more popular. Even if you don't play tabletop, lore books qual Marvel and DC universes with its scale, and is as much enjoyable!

Plenty of hair gel for spiking a mohawk. Love it brother

i wish to point towards a game called starsector where nano forges can build anything but the blueprints you need are not reproducable so any advanced technologies are limited in production and poorly understood

Wasn't there an Anglo-Saxon poem about walking through thr ruins of London written during 'the dark age' ?

AMAZING video

24:16 That suspiciously sounds like Battletech/Mech Warrior.

You’ve got me excited for nano-duct tape, now.

I'm on the dev team for the Unification Wars mod for Hearts of Iron IV. Loved the video, Isaac! I posted it in our discord server so the rest of the team can see it.

The Hype! Been waiting for this one!

Thanks for posting! I’ve been nail-biting since last week!

This isn't a fantasy trope, or even particularly unusual, just look at Syria/Yemen/Libya etc today.

Conan the blabarion just doesn’t have the same ring.

Love it!

Seeing Gene Wolfe's series highlighted at that point in the narration brought a smile to my face, another good series on that point would be Jack L. Chalker's Soul Rider series. Both are greatly under read and well worth tracking down!