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The Aftertime will find most of mankind in a dearth of government directives. Even small towns, governed by mayors well
known on the city streets to all, and traveling bands governed by chieftains, will feel the lack. Insanity, depression, loss of
life and confusion will remove the firm hand so familiar from governing. Families will look to their elders, the family man,
the religious leader, and find them all staring, shaking their heads, and unable to speak. In these situations, leadership arises
from the needy, natural leaders emerging. Often they are children, to whom most of life is startling and strange, the
unfamiliar presented almost daily. To the child, this is more an adventure, an opportunity to act without constant parental
admonitions. They will make suggestions, and be allowed to proceed, and often lead their dazed and depressed parents and
elders about like rag dolls.
Beyond the children, who will be inventive and energetic in the main, women will assume command by doing daily chores.
It is often said that men, who have single tasks in society, suffer when retiring, but women, who had the many tasks keeping
the household going, are without retirement. Thus, women see what to do with their time, and proceed, and being useful live
longer and in greater health. In like manner, after the shift, women will wash and clean, gather and cook a meal, and thus be
looked upon as someone who can direct activities. When the depression clears, and survivors begin looking about them,
determining if they should seek out a government rep or make a report, perhaps seek help from their government, a different
conclusion will arise. Each initiating, others observing and offering to help, and sharing, has taken place. This is the
Service-to-Other society of your future, and once established by survivor groups, should not be supplanted by ego driven
directive by the power hungry. Tell them to sit back down and fall silent, as you did so much better before they found their
tongue.