Fundies, gun-collecting Cons, all those who can’t make it in society, wish someone or somebody or something will remove all the constraints so their true virtues of independence, self-reliance and toughness can shine, without any bosses or govvies or low-lifes getting in the way, playing all the angles and using every technicality to overcome what really matters in this world: simplicity, guts, strength and will.

Most people know they aren’t scientists, or athletes, or artists. But every man jack among us really believes he knows how to coach a football team, or run a business, or get the Russians to leave the Ukraine. Those who don’t are just cowards and fools. They know this instinctively, just like they know they’re better lovers and better drivers than most everybody else.

After the Apocalypse, they’ll do all right, because no one will be telling them what to do. No one will be politically correct any more. Ever again. Never.

Check out Norman Spinrad’s “The Iron Dream” and see what happens when one of these folks gets lucky.

“Secretly, we know we’ll survive. All those other folks will die. That’s what after-the-bomb stories are all about.”

from “The Manhattan Phone book (abridged)” by John Varley.

I’ve taking to call it “apocalyphillia.” Considering what one would do in a situation where most people are dead or dying is one thing. That’s just our primate brain off on a what-if thought experiment. However, sorta-kinda hoping it will unfold is a mindset best avoided, but all too common. As David Brin pointed out, ask a Fundy Christian if they want the second-coming and watch the reaction. Then ask if they are cool with the death of billions and watch the gears turn, smell the brain bakelite as it overheats and smokes. Ask a Fundy, gun collecting Conservative about the collapse of the federal government and the ensuing chaos and they get a gleam in the eye that is, well, kinda scary. Islam has it’s own prophet of destruction, once he climbs outta that well, we’re toast. And I’m suspecting there are those that pray for that event, daily. How much incense is burned at the alter of Shiva, and not for the creative side of the deities skill set?

Part of this is the recognition that shit happens and civilizations fall. Another is the “burn the village to save the village” mentality. I don’t care for the later.

By the way, a few decades later, Varley wrote an after-the-bomb story (novel, actually) but it is an after-the-virus story with a twist: Slow Apocalyse. I liked it.

(PS: Robert, I caught your earlier Varley allusion about Jupiter!)