Adeline Wong Lin Yien 2301987 (Assignment 3)

Back To The Cavemen Era?: A World Without Technology

It is a Saturday morning, and today is quieter than usual. The sun's warmth touches my skin, waking me from my dreams. Did I forget to set my alarm? Why is my room so dark? Perhaps another power outage—something all too common living in Malaysia.

I stretch and walk downstairs, only to find my family sitting together, looking uneasy. My father, who should have been at work, is home. My phone-addicted siblings, instead of staring at screens, are playing cards at the dining table. Something is wrong.

My father starts by telling me his car is missing—not stolen, just gone. Our phones won’t turn on, and even the clock on the wall is frozen. Every device, every machine, every piece of technology has disappeared. We also checked with the neighbours and discovered that this is true for them. The entire world has been plunged into an era before electricity, machines, and modern civilization.

With no idea how long this would last, my mother decided we should stock up on groceries. We headed to the supermarket, expecting chaos in front of our eyes. Yet, shelves were already half-empty, and people were fighting over food. Refrigerated items like yoghurt, expensive beef, pork, and salmon were heavily discounted as they would spoil soon without refrigeration. But my mother, ever practical, opts for biscuits, cereal, canned food, and dry nuts—things that will last much longer.

Outside, the streets are eerily quiet yet filled with anxious people. No honking cars, or motorcycles whizzing by. People are walking, trying to figure out how to get to work or school without vehicles. Some are still in denial, expecting the government to fix everything. Others are preparing for the worst, hoarding supplies and protecting their homes. Within days, supermarkets are looted, and food becomes scarce. Fistfights break out over bread and bottled water. The sense of security we once knew vanishes.

Survival instincts kick in. Communication is cut off—no phones, no emails, no social media. Information spreads through word of mouth, but rumours and misinformation cause more panic. Without law enforcement patrolling the streets, crime surges. People steal, fight, and do whatever it takes to survive.

Besides, factories shut down, and with them, food production slows to a halt. Clean water becomes a luxury. Diseases spread due to poor sanitation, and without hospitals functioning properly, even minor illnesses become deadly.

For my family, my father taught us how to grow vegetables, something he had never done before. My mother finds ways to cook without electricity, making fire pits outside. I learned how to filter rainwater, how to start a fire with sticks, and how to defend myself if needed.

One night, we hear shouting from the street. A group of looters is breaking into houses, searching for food. We hide in silence, hearts pounding, hoping they pass us by. It’s a terrifying realization—we are no longer safe in our own homes.

As weeks turn into months, the weak perish, and the strong survive. Some people still dream of technology’s return, while others embrace this harsh new world. Every day is a struggle, but we have become stronger and more resourceful.

Would I want technology back? Yes. The suffering, the loss, the desperation—no one should live like this. But I also see now how fragile we have become, relying on machines instead of ourselves. If technology ever comes back, we must learn to use it wisely, ensuring that we never let it make us weak again.

For now, the world is raw, dangerous, and unforgiving. But one thing is clear—humans will always fight to survive, no matter the cost.

Citation:

https://images.app.goo.gl/Xn5F1HyrTuky7dRt8 (Mojsa, 2018)

https://images.app.goo.gl/nR94LpDJLKpE7TXZ8 (Supermarket Chaos Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock, n.d.)