Articles

Vol. 29 (2023)

The ‘Fallout’ Universe in the Context of Atomic Culture

Pages: 75-90

PDF (Język Polski)

Abstract

The Fallout universe is an adaptive remix of themes that characterise the so-called (American) atomic culture. The creators of the universe have been developing it for years by entering into a dialogue with American pop-culture. Fallout’s storyworld is retro-futuristic and retrotopian in nature, a critique of the American Dream and a pessimistic diagnosis. Rebuilding civilization will not be possible because the negative aspects of human nature prevail over the nobler instincts. The apocalypse presented in this way is also a reflection — on a macroscale — of the universally understood ‘evil,’ which expresses itself — on a microscale — in ordinary human interactions. So the ultimate product of civilization — the actual ‘atomic legacy’ — will be mutations, aberrations, anarchy and barbarism.

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