# Technology and Regression in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..

Several stories depict advanced technology that has been lost or misused, leading to societal decay, as seen in the Martian legend and the forgotten knowledge of the ancients in 'It Takes a Thief.'

## Where it surfaces

- [It Takes a Thief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/it-takes-a-thief): The Martian society has regressed to a primitive state, with ancient machines like Big Joe guarding knowledge needed to restore the atmosphere, highlighting the loss of technological capability.
- [Way of a Rebel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/way-of-a-rebel): Mitch struggles with his dependence on technology, realizing that abandoning civilization for a primitive life would be like 'cutting off his arm.'
- [The Ties That Bind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/the-ties-that-bind): The spacers possess advanced technology but are culturally regressed, while Earth has regressed technologically but achieved social harmony.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/themes/technology_and_regression
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/themes