One Second After: Rebuilding Society and Moral Questions

This is the eighth topic for our Group Book Discussion of the novel One Second After. To return to the main discussion page click here.

In the story, the community had a lot of tough questions to ask when it came to morals and rebuilding some form of a society. Some of the major leaders died, and new order and structure was needed. Decisions had to be made on who to give extra food rations to, and who to let become part of their society based on their knowledge and skills. After the battle with the looters, medics had to prioritize who to give medical attention to and who to just “let die”. There were some very emotional and thought-provoking moments throughout the book.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Do you share your supplies with others?
Do you help the sick, what if they are contagious?
How would you balance the desire to feed and protect your family with the need to help an entire community?
How do you keep law and order when there is chaos all around?
What type of punishments are acceptable and who doles them out?
How do you start to organize a structure of government or community?
Would you know how to replenish food supplies on an ongoing basis? (crops and animals)
What do you think will be the new currency?
Who would be responsible for re-establishing the nation? The transit systems? Communications? Electric? Would we be left on our own to re-invent the wheel? Or do you think outside help would come and get things moving again?

DISCUSS

In our comments section below, ask questions, discuss your thoughts on this topic, and these questions. We will be covering a lot of the other issues over the next three days, so to keep it organized please stick with this topic.

We encourage everyone who participates to do so in a very respectful manner. As we read the novel, we soon became very aware that the discussions around this book could become very political, and personal. Such topics have a tendency to bring out strong opinions. Please share your opinions in a kind, and mature way. We reserve the right to, and will delete any comments that may be considered offensive or encourage illegal or unethical activities.

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