I get the melancholy theme throughout as well. While I also consider myself a devout technophile, there was something compelling to the slow devolution of technology.

I am currently on contract with a project that is rehabilitating some early '70s apartment buildings that weren't built well to begin with. 40+ years has not been a kindness to them. I often think about what some of my new buildings will look like in 40 years and hope they can give a good account for the thought and workmanship that went into them.

Earth Abides was an interesting perspective in the devolution of cities when man is no longer there to care for it. I shared Ish's hope that one day they would get the power on, but felt the story was honest in the reality that those things are hard when the brainpower and workforce is gone.

The story also reminded me of my beloved Empire & Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. One can consider this book as part of the intitial devolution cycle and imagine what a sequel might look like as a future prophet unlocks the mysteries of electricity and mettalurgy.