Dependence on Technology

In Theory of Bastards, Audrey Schulman warns against too much dependence on technology. The novel is sprinkled with warnings, long before the dust storm hits and civilization collapses. In fact, the dust storm is a red herring. Although it causes some inconvenience for Frankie, Stotts, and the bonobos, the dust storm is not the cause of their ongoing struggles. The collapse of technology happens on Day 1 of the storm only by coincidence.

Malfunctions abound in the first half of the novel: Frankie cannot control the E-musement system in her apartment; her BodyWare gradually loses functionality, and random characters appear on her screen; the video cameras at the Foundation do not work; and news broadcasts mention poly-roaches, or computer viruses, that learn and morph, along with cyberattacks on infrastructure and brownouts.

In addition to these malfunctions, technology threatens society just because of the way people...