Dystopias and apocalypses often get lumped together. Both paint a grim picture of the future, sure, but one works like an overpowered HR department in control of everything while the other has endless amounts of freedom but not a lot of anything else. Especially food. Knowing which of these hellscapes you’re living in is critical to crafting a survival strategy. So here are 5 quick ways to tell the difference between a dystopia and an apocalypse.
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TRANSPORTATION
Dystopia: The trains still run, but they only goes to reeducation camps.
Apocalypse: The tracks are rusted, the engine’s busted, but no one is going to stop you from blowing the whistle.
FOOD
Dystopia: The food is gray, flavorless and probably had a social security number.
Apocalypse: The food is tough, chewy, and talks back.
CITIES
Dystopia: The buildings are uniform, oppressive, monolithic symbols of conformity.
Apocalypse: If there are any buildings, they are on fire.
WEATHER
Dystopia: The climate is controlled, just like everything else. It’s always gray, just like everything else.
Apocalypse: It’s raining Fords.
NEIGHBORS
Dystopia: When you have them over for dinner, they report on you to the authorities
Apocalypse: When you have them over for dinner, they’re delicious.
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Neither a dystopia nor an apocalypse is fun. But if I had to sum it up, the apocalypse is a little more “rock and roll”, while a dystopia is a little more “Enya until your ears bleed.”
Have a great apocalypse!
Ben
