Task 12: Speculative Futures

In a “Collapse” future, a future in which society as we know it has come apart, there is a monument related to theatre.

We do not know when our silent protectors appeared or why but our elders tell us it is not for us to know. They have simply been there since the beginning, showing us how life has been and always will be. Strength in arms is our way of life, our elders have taught us so, but I have doubts. 

We visited the land beyond the sea in our last raid and we saw structures made of glass, not stone, not strong enough to repel a sling let alone an arrow. Structures built to invite in the sun and gaze out upon other silent monoliths but none placed to defend the river. We saw empty cities without walls, built with signs pointing inward rather than out, books and glass screens in place of forges and weapon stores. As we wandered beyond the great cities we found vast sprawling complexes fit with food stores and training spaces. But rather than be used for war it seemed to have been a place to hold the youth, and once more we found more books. As we wandered out of the city we followed the signs towards a hill. Atop this hill we were faced with the greatest test, the ultimate doubt of our way of life. A man holding a pen rather than a sword. 

On our way back to Visby we passed ships larger than our city, vast floating fortresses anchored for all time. How could a man armed with a pen protect a people? What kind of world would such a people create? Their cities were colossal, made of towering obelisks of glass and steel yet without walls. But ours remain practical, safe, protected from the world. They taught their people to value books, do those books hold the secret to this lost world? Are our protectors a symbol of safety or hidden jailors keeping us from a distant memory of a world we once knew. 

References:

Images generated by OpenAI

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Mar 18 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat