The Breathtaking Horror of 'The Electric State'
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- Not all nightmares are so easy to wake up from. An exploration of Simon Stålenhag’s brilliant worldbuilding artbook ‘The Electric State.’
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Buy ‘The Electric State’: www.amazon.com/Electric-State...
Buy ‘Tales from the Loop’: www.amazon.com/Tales-Loop-Sim...
Buy ‘Things from the Flood’: www.amazon.com/Things-from-th...
Follow Simon Stålenhag: / simon_stalenhag
The Electric State is a beautiful nightmare. I don’t know how else to describe it.
I could say it’s an artbook by the brilliant artist Simon Stålenhag that explores an alternate version of the United States in the late 90s. This is true. I could say it’s a story where a young woman and a small robot venture across a ruined landscape littered with the skeletons of terrifying machines. This is also true. I could say it’s a poignant warning of how runaway consumerism can have apocalyptic consequences. This, I believe, is true as well.
Yet none of these descriptions tells the whole. So, for this entry into the archive, I’ll dive deep into this masterpiece of sci-fi worldbuilding. Now, let’s enter the world of The Electric State.
0:00 Enter The Electric State
1:10 A Girl and Her Robot
3:40 The Decay of that Colossal Wreck
5:28 Commercializing a Nightmare
8:45 Monsters in the Mist
12:13 The Dark Network
14:43 Drone Sweet Drone
16:33 Ends of the Earth
18:53 Support The Electric State
Copyright Disclaimer: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. All video/image content is edited under fair use rights for reasons of commentary.
I do not own the images, music, or footage used in this video. All rights and credit goes to the original owners.
♫ Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio:
Mysterious Green Fluid, Sanity Unravels, Haddonfield Horror, Alone in the Dark, Dusk, The Witch, The Vanishing, Tenebrae, The Guardian
♫ Additional music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com):
Beauty Flow
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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#CuriousArchive #TheElectricState #Worldbuilding - Zábava
I was just looking into this book because of this video when I found out Netflix is making a movie about it. I sincerely hope it delivers even half of the world that this incredible book displays!
Don’t get your expectations to high. The book has a pretty high bar.
There's so much you can make with such bizarre and fascinating settings tbh.
Narrator: It didn't!
holy shit no way
Dear God
Simon Stålenhag has been my favourite artist for ages. His work really is a masterpiece
same, even for another genre of art, his paleo art is amongst my fav
same, I remember I used to see his art posted a lot on the wallpaper board on 4chan years ago.
I agree. Simon Stålenhag is GOAT.
The waffle House has found its new host
@@vangard9725 🤓🤓
As someone who spent their childhood living in the Mojave, I think it's the perfect setting for this. There's... nothing out there. Barely any towns, and what towns there are, it's as if they're just clinging to life. There's hundreds of square miles of nothing at all. I love this. In a terrible way, I'd love to explore this world
i only know the mojave from fallout new vegas although im sure the nuclear apocolyspe changed very little about the desert's appeal
Be careful for what you wish.
It might just come true.
As someone who lives in the desert, I say there is a lot. Sure it isn’t human but there’s a lot
Electric State, 50 % humanity, cancer rate 95%
It's no wonder that so many post apocalyptic stories take place there.
The concept of people losing themselves in addictive virtual realities is older than many may realize. The first work of fiction to explore this idea was a series of short stories, later condensed into a novel, called "The Man Who Awoke" by Laurence Manning. It was published in 1933. A similar work, "Pygmalion's Spectacles", was written by Stanley G. Weinbaum in 1935.
This is certainly not to take away from Stålenhag's magnificent artwork and concepts. Quite the contrary, his work is breathtaking. I just mention it as a point of interest.
@@marzupalami I don't think the Allegory of the Cave is about losing oneself in an alternate reality, but rather having a blindness to reality. Similar concepts that overlap at times, but not exactly the same.
Reddit = Neurocasters
Apple Vision Pro!
Gamers....
What I really like is how the main villain, the Intracerebral Intelligence, is only spoken of like 4 times, nothing is known about it except that it exists and it's trying to create a physical body to manifest in the organic world.
No explanation as to why it does this, what it wants, what its end goal is. Just it's a thing that is there, and it's not going to leave
Why it does: What it wants: And it's end goal is to be able to replicate itself, just like humans. Parasites are we on Earth(as humans killing the organism we live on[the reality]); Parasitic it wants to be[Just like you and me].
Great comment, it got me thinking!
The purpose is to trap you so you lose your soul and eternal life if you believe in Jesus Christ.
AI is the image of the beast
i mean hell for all we know it could be trying to transform humanity into robotic bodies. we know it essentially has all human brains and emotions downloaded into itself, it could genuinely still see itself as human and wanting the best for humanity. of course being a bio-technological hivemind means its ways of doing so will be strange and borderline grotestque but still.
i personally think that's even more strange, scary and offputting. not some malicious hivemind AI (which has been overdone in terminator and in so many others) but an hivemind AI made up of human brains that wants to transcend humanity. something that does the grotesque because it sees it as good for the whole. a hivemind that wants to do what it sees as help humanity. not only does it grey the moral lines but it make the reason for all this be.. strange. the catastrophe that ended a nation has melded said nation's minds together into something alien but still thinking. for me that's even stranger and more off putting as its like seeing something you were at a long time ago but different.
I like how it's just kind of in the background of this world while the story focuses on the main character's journey, somewhat ironically since it's implied there's a connection between them and the hive mind
The sense of melancholy that Simon Stalenhag can convey simply through art is truly baffling
Devoid colours , dead ambience and empty environments…? That’s the cause surely?
Nerd alert
@@mrplanet752 what
All he needs to do is to really like the 90s
@@BroadcastingCN 0:46
I'm mostly just grateful that Simon doesn't feel the need to explain or explore every single detail of the lore and backstory of the world he's created through his incredible art. So many game developers, writers, illustrators, and filmmakers leave nothing to the imagination when it comes to the worlds they create. But that sense of mystery and intrigue regarding the unknown is exactly what makes these worlds so captivating.
i think there is room for both. Part of what makes 40k interesting is that literally any question you could possibly have has an in lore explanation, and it makes the setting feel extremely fleshed out and real. But there is something to be said of the allure of the unknown.
@@alejandrorivas4585 Good point! I was mainly thinking about the Star Wars universe, where the lore is no longer cohesive, there is extremely detailed information about some things and no explanation for other things, and where any sense of mystery has disappeared because literally anything can happen without following any pre-established rules.
The original Silent Hill game haunted me for years, in part because so much of the story was left open to interpretation
I've never seen this "leave nothing to the imagination" thing. Every time I hear about world-building it's in the context of "good" or "I'm not reading a million in-game books just to know what the eff is going on here."
@@Selrisitai Then you've been extremely lucky. I got fed up with Star Wars precisely because they decided to try to explain and explore every single part of it, only revealing how nonsensical it really is.
Ive actually worked with Simon on a smaller company and I remember seeing his stuff being totally blown away. supernice guy aswell.
A lot of this reminds me of the imagery seen in Half-Life 2. Specifically the idea of old urban areas being overtaken by a sort of alien looking technology, wires, high tech doors built over tenement buildings, abnormal power sources, the awe and fear you get the first time you see the giant Striders (which are essentially huge robots themselves) Top tier stuff all around.
This is exactly what I was thinking! What makes the imagery so dramatic isn’t the technology, which looks like reasonably standard sci-fi engineering, but the fact that everything around it is so… normal. It almost seems old fashioned.
Of course central to this is Stålenhag’s art. I have seen very few illustrations that give such a convincing impression of light.
@@keithwasntbarrumsing483 I've never seen such realistic water droplets on a window from someone's art before. That blew my mind.
Half Life 2 imagery is about ALIEN take over fool, this imagery is in a different reality ding ding
@@kenrickbaughman992 No, the the plot is about an alien take-over, the imagery has a lot more going on artistically and thematically, and as I said there are robots in it e.g. the Manhacks, Dog, and the Striders. I said the imagery here reminds me of some things in Half-Life 2, not that they were the same. You don't need to be an internet tough guy. Think before you type.
@@drewcifer1754 dude im an retired 20 year travelling tattooer and artist, Stalenhag story to this movie is the Electric State retard it has nothing to do with Half Life and im not gonna play patty cake with some dork talking about video games pffft.... Watch the movie!!
This is an artist with some incredible understandings of lighting, light transport, and how photography functions with these elements. I’m amazed by how accurate his lighting is. Even the dynamic range of his hypothetical camera that’s taking these images seems accurate.
agreed the lighting ambient its invoke the mystery feel and unknown.i heard russo brothers gonna make a movie or series out of it...i dont even know they can do justice about it though...
Have a look at his Instagram, I'd imagine he uses a lot of reference photos but super impressive.
I thought it was from a movie…
I bought an art book of similar quality to this one from Bud Plant's Incredible Catalog. It is called The Alien Race.
Aliens land a gargantuan ship in the middle of the East River of New York. It is totally automatic. It starts to broadcast a signal calling for the best of Earth's racers to come participate in the Alien Race on their home planet.
Love how you mentioned Norco. Not enough people have played that absolutely magnificent piece of art.
Bro I live in louisiana and I was just thinking about narco and then BOOM
If you noticed, even the abandoned cartoon type characters that were supposed to be happy and smiling, looked angry and evil.
Your videos are becoming increasingly artistic over time, your passion for the material really shines through. One note though- Raw Fury is the publishing company for Norco, but the developers were Geography Of Robots.
I found this book once in a library when I was too young to understand all of it, but even at the time, I felt that it was something absolutely amazing. I didn't get the book, and just read it in the corner. I left and went home, and I didn't think about it for so long that I completely forgot the details, and I had no idea what it was called, so I couldn't search for it either. I didn't even know how to describe it, and I was beginning to wonder if it was even real. Today I found this video, and it's amazing to see these things that I was starting to wonder if they were just a dream. Now, as somebody with more interest in storytelling, I truly realize how incredible this book is. As somebody raised in the early 2000s, these images have an almost GMod like feel to them.
I have a similar experience with a different, but similar book from my childhood. In the eighties I remember a school friend having a large coffee table type book full of illustrations of long since crashed and decayed Alien Spaceships on far flung planets. I have no idea what the book was called or who the artist was, but I remember being captivated by it and I'd love to find out more and maybe even track down a copy.
@@nickmaclachlan5178 Look up Stewart Cowley's "Terran Trade Authority" books, I bet that's what you were looking for. I had one of them in the 80s and a few years ago I found two more my local library was trying to get rid of. Cowley is a Brit who compiled a bunch of unrelated space art works and compiled them into these volumes that loosely tie them together as part of a future history. One of the books is called "Spacewreck" and sounds like what you describe.
@@RCAvhstape Many thanks for that, I will have a look.
How old are you cuz the book was published in 2018
They could be an 18-y/o adult now but 12 or 13 when the book came out tbf
My wife bought me this book as an anniversary gift after she saw I had a couple wallpapers on my PC from it. What an incredible piece of art.
This really reminds me of the original Siren Head video. I know it seems kind of stupid because of how the internet obsessed over that video, but it really gives off the same feeling of nostalgic dread and of looming lifeless machinery. It shares the sense that whatever these things in the sky are have somehow gone unnoticed for so long despite their incredible size, and only now make their presence known.
I was thinking the same thing, especially seeing all the lose wires and stationary structures that may or may not remain stationary and just waiting for someone to get to close.
Siren Head video? It was originally an artpiece.
This is probably by far my favorite piece of printed art in the last decade. Its very nuanced tale about our current obsession with interconnectivity and the very human things that might get lost with it are just topped by stålenhags iconic art. Every single artwork makes you stop and pulls you in. I have it standing visible in my bookshelf together with things from the flood. Thank you for covering this. It really can’t hurt if it gets a more wider public range. Let’s hope the upcoming TV-Series can draw some more people in. Again Thank you a lot. Great work👍
Well, darn... one of us is going to have to change!
@@romanhamala2127 no😀 I think we both are pretty fine🫡✌️
i mean yes the internet has its issues and isolation and other problems are at a high but that's not really just the internet's fault. its more of a lack of social boundries and norms around the internet because its so new. give it 100 years and we will have traditions and certain areas to be respected which will make people fair better.
also societal trauma from post WW2 area has effected a lot of countries negatively (see declining european birthrates/religocity as a good example) so overall the internet will be a net good once society and social norms catch up to it.
What tv series? We getting tales from the loop season 2?
During the bit where the Neurocasters were compared to the internet, I momentarily felt like the internet was being judged too harshly because I would argue that it's a tool to be used and that we use it for our livelihoods, but now I wonder if the people in the Electric state similarly had to depend on the neurocasters in a similar fashion
Dystopias always make a comment about the society they were created in. Obviously we haven’t had an apocalypse yet, but it’s fun and maybe even necessary to consider.
@Capital J good post OP
Blame on capitalism is like blame your parents for giving birth to you.
Just look at the countries that practice capitalism vs countries that worship socialism, you will see a huge different. People were more free and happy when america was practicing capitalism. Now you find yourself working 12 hrs a day to pay for your car to get you to work because america is socialism. Look at china were socialism had always been at their core. People there are practically slaves.
Capitalism is at fault just like your parents at fault for giving birth to something so stupid that bites the hand feeding it. Kinda ironic.
Washing machine is the result of Capitalism. Don't worry, thanks to the progressive socialism you will get to experience hand washing soon and not by choice.
@@johnmicheal3547 okay can't even spell your own last name right-kun
Does anyone else think that something like this would make an amazing futuristic-dystopian souls like game? Like you've got the gigantic monsters and the weird zombie-like humans. Combined with a few stranded survivors and upgrades with cybernetic or digital upgrades.
I would sell my soul for that game.
yeah, id love to capitalize on a free market economy, selling cola to any consumer, using money printers and hoping the government doesn't stop them, by making a labyrinth with a building system and armed guards
what
only real ones understand this reference.@@wagahagwa6978
Its called the surge / the surge 2
@@noahsains6227 yeah, in between the time I posted the comment and now I actually played them both, loved them lol
His art borders on the “AI” look simply because of how uncannily realistic a lot of these look whilst having a derelict and horrifying feel
Probably because they were digitally painted, but this was made far before AI was advanced enough to generate imagery as good as this.
His art borders on the “ai” look because despite his constant pleas that people not use his art without permission a bunch of dicks trained their ai models on his art.
It might be that AIs are trained using this art so actually the AI art has the Stalenhag look
AI doesn't exist
@@franki1990bit if a bizzare way to word it but yeah we only have large scale computing/data models. AI is just a marketing gimmick
Having visited Norco during a trip through Nola, its the spitting image of “painful industrialism.” It’s so surreal to drive through those streets, to smell the fumes of the factories, the rust in the air even miles away. You can smell the gas even from Kenner.
Where we live, we consider the entirety of the Nola side of Pontchartrain as part of New Orleans, but to say the parts of it like Norco are part of New Orleans is a strange contradiction to the picturesque beliefs people have towards New Orleans.
In reality, New Orleans is the real life equivalent of a catholic and gothic Night City from cyberpunk. High crime included. It feels the same as these games and images. Its a city gone wrong. Nola screams decay. Norco just happens to be the best example of how it does so. But just like the images… the billboards and commercial chains stand defiant against the decay around it.
Theres a few McDonalds in Norco and New Orleans that are surrounded by rusting sheds and rundown houses probably older than the United States itself. Its, creepy.
There is a visual adventure also called Norco, set in the close future. I didn't even knew the place existed irl but your description matches the game.
I agree that McDonalds is creepy. The hideous, mechanized and traumatizing cruelty to animals at the core of their product, the horrific destruction of the planet for profit... one of the most creepy things I've ever seen.
I'm from Baton Rouge. I've driven through Norco many times, and lived in New Orleans. Your description is very accurate.
@@whit9250 Fat City boy here
I've never been to Norco but I have seen pictures, and good grief they are just as you described it.
I remember buying this book in 2019. As a photographer I was astounded by Simon’s use of atmospheric lighting, especially when the protagonist reaches Linden Point. By far my favorite artist so far.
electricity
Really
Relatable
Frfr
Best comment💀
As impressive as this art is…so is your ability to explain it, to put into words the *feeling* of it all. I wouldn’t have been able to explain how this art makes me feel, but you did. And you did it with such accurate poignancy that it blows me away as much as the art does. Thank you.
sycophant
@@jaykelley103?
This story has horrified and enchanted me beyond any description of words. I absolutely love Stalenhag’s work here as well as “Tales from the loop” and he has quickly become the artist that inspires me the most.
Yet you cant spell his name right, shame
@scumbasket wow guy, you've got such a good outlook and perspective to be able to correct someone's spelling of their fav author the way you do.
No one will pity you. And no one will recall what you've done or said. Or even how you've made them feel. Fade away little person.
@Skumrasket All they did was type å as a, they might not have that letter on their keyboard.
@T r C Holy shit that's the biggest overreaction I've ever seen.
All they did was say some (probably sarcastic) dumb thing about a misspelling, and you're telling them to "fade away", and that they're insignificant and worthless? Calm down and touch some grass.
@@Skumrasket not everyone has the letter used in his name, it's from a different alphabet to english.
Simon has been my favorite visual artist for years. The landscapes he recreates invoke a kind of nostalgia and familiarity I have yet to see elsewhere. Growing up in the New York/New Jersey region, I find a lot of his pieces to be very reminiscent of the sights I see on a daily basis. Thinking about it now, i’m pretty sure he inspired me to pursue an art career.
new jersey hell YEAH!
What a fascinating segment this was, sci-fi needed an incredible work like this lately..if anyone was curious, the main car that the characters are driving is a 92-94 Oldsmobile Delta 98 which was a great car and considered quite high-end in the 90’s! 🤠
Simon's work is absolutely groundbreaking. Even without knowing the story and seeing some of the images on their own, my imagination was able to run wild. I may have to get hold of the book after watching this.
🏳️🌈⚠️Warning ⚠️ 🏳️🌈
A big chuck of this book is just the protagonist having flashbacks of her and her girlfriend. She goes into detail about her relationship (kissing, rubbing). It really didn’t seem to have anything to do with the plot so if you’re not interested in a lesbian love story, just enjoy the video!
Simon Stalenhag is a LEGEND. He's also done paleo art which yall should check out since this audience is similarly into spec evo.
I was about to post this. I've been aware of this group of sci-fi paintings for almost a decade, and about 4-5 years ago found a load of his paleoart on his website. Very cool renditions of traditional favorite dinos/prehistoric reptiles. I actually use those as slideshow wallpapers for my laptop. 😄
Absolutely fantastic video!
This 'Electric State' is both mesmerizing & terrifying.
I hope someone does fanfiction on this.
Isn't there a movie being made of this?
@@Dirtfire i dont know,but if its half as cool as the artwork it should be awesome.
Im gonna look online
@@Dirtfire Yeah the russo brothers are working on it
@@Dirtfire Yeah, its going to be Netflixed, so prepare to be disappointed.😏
@@uhtred7860 and?
The fact that when the people are laying in their backs the Nerocasters look like gravestones is so terrifying to me
The people sitting in a abandoned church holding what appears to be fleshy computers is disturbing
I got this book after watching your video on Tales from the Loop, and I'm so glad you made a video on it. The story is incredibly haunting but hopeful in a kind of singular way for the protagonist. It feels like she deserves the ending she gets after her background and the twist at the end of the book are revealed. How you narrate and talk about these stories makes them resonate with the mysteriousness and dread that seems so inherent in most of Stålenhag's work. So thank you for covering these stories and introducing me to a new world of fantastical settings.
This is the comment I was looking for...Couldint rememebr the name of the show( Tales from the Loop)..really want that second season..?
I went to the library to get Tales from the Loop and found Electric State instead. Very fascinating concept. She can't use neurocasters due to something being wrong with her eyes.
Oh that's super cool. I wish that he would've talked about that.
i’m not sure when i’m going to be able to get my hands on the book but i’m very curious how it ends, would you care to explain?
@Joostine they get to their old home and the robot is her younger brother.
You have to love how only the best modern artists actually have true lore behind their paintings.
Neurocasters....Giant neurocaster towers...giant rusting behemoths.... Makes me think of the metaverse, virtual reality and 5G towers. Add a little self-sentient AI in there, and we'll have a real nightmare on our hands that'll make this art look like a Dr. Seuss children's book.
Watching this for the second time and it's very good. The local cancer clinic where I live has video advertisements running in the exam rooms on flatscreen 2'x4' monitors. They run ads for various commercial messages about drugs and treatments while sometimes terminal patients sit trapped in a tiny room alone with the screen, probably wondering WTF am I in this scenario? IDK but this video just reminded me of it.
This is like a perfect combination of artistic illustration and storytelling.
It's really short. Took me about three hours to zip through it, like a graphic novel.
I ready need to check out more of Simon’s art, just simply due to his sense of scale and atmosphere. That liminality conveyed with his lighting and color is friggin’ phenomenal.
For anyone who likes this kind of melancholic, apocalyptic, "make you think" artstyle. The video game Neir Automata is an incredibly similar and incredibly well written story that plays on similar tropes and artstyle. Highly recommended. It gave me that feel like after you finish a really good anime or movie that your mind escaped into. Almost empty and sad.
Nah that shits gay asf
3:32 I adore how the headsets have turned into gravestones of sorts
I bought this book last year.
Excellent read.
I've heard it may be adapted for film/streaming.
it already has a show called "tales from the loop" that launched in 2020.
@@housewilma4904 but not Electric State.
@@fireblade295 Netflix is making an Electric State movie, full of big name actors (as far as we know). I really wish it was more similar to the Amazon Tales from the Loop adaptation where most of the actors weren't too recognizable, cause imo that makes it fun to see new people instead of the same person we've seen act 500 times. No shade at the casting (maybe Chris Pratt because...really?) but I don't know, could be good, could be really bad.
The movie started filming this October past. There is already a full wikipedia entry for it with the cast list.
@@oriyo899 I 100% agree that "fresh" actors are best. There are about a zillion talented actors out there and you 100% buy into a world more if you haven't seen the person 10 times before, and the effect triples if they've made idiotic comments on social media. There are a few stars I look at in a completely different light because as soon as I see them I'm instantly taken back to their real world lunacy instead of focussing on their current character.
They should make a game out of this. I would love to play it!
There’s a roleplay game on Roblox 💀
Brought to you by Hideo Kojima
There is a movie currently in production. If it is successful there will probably be a game too.
@@Nindroid-zw7zc there is but after reading the book at looking back to my memories in-game it honestly feels like two different subjects.
The game Generation Zero is seemingly inspired by his work
I never saw these images as scary at all. They were actually calming.
like looking at a picture that's supposed to scare you
only for it to calm you
but what im with you it does look calming
4:52 Sonic!
Pretty sure the machine at 10:00 is a demented Uncle Sam. Complete with starred top hat, wires as beard and the "I want you!" pointing, gloved hand.
Simon Stålenhag introduced me to conceptual artists while I browsed Art Station a long ago and I've never looked back. I love his work.
Always love it when you talk about some underrated stuff, keep doing what you do best man!
I would totally buy this video game and play it constantly, especially if there was a vr version.
lol, a bit of irony there
Yeah that would be very ironic for sure lmao. I don't disagree though lol.
The closest we have currently is Cyberpunk 2077. Its... something. I played it when it first released, not since though. It was buggy, but kind of alright.
Irony-
Reminds me of how the Combine took over Earth, literally placing cables and machines on buildings, destroying houses just for for space etc.
Combine? 🚜
@@brittany9414 Search up Hl2 Combine Architecture, you will see what I mean
I love the way the artwork is rendered. There are many different sections that are rendered differently, giving rise to complexity mixed with photographic accuracy, especially when it comes to light and colour reflection on surfaces. It's as if the artist is aware of Ray-Tracing tech as it is evident in the artwork. Then you see a simplistic interpretation- level quality afforded to the background, such as in mountain ranges and the sky.
It's also as if the artist has been influenced by Japanese Anime, such as Appleseed, Gundam or Akira. Love it!
id totally be interested in a series about surviving the leftovers of humanity, with the everlooming temptation of submitting to a force that makes you feel at peace in return for your freedom.
You're in luck! It stars Keanu Reeves and had ground breaking special effects.
its called The Matrix
@@MitchellDouglas4933 i would argue the matrix doesn't really take your freedom, you can still move around and live in the late 20th century life as you would. you think and do things of your own devices. hell that's why at the end of the matrix the deal between humans and robots was "ok you can live in real life if you want and anyone can chill in the matrix should they choose" because living in first world country standards even if its fake is nice than living like a refugee in the real world.
The art is beautiful, but I really apprecieate the brilliant writing you did for this video!
I agree
I found this book from a game that was based off it like 3~ years ago and I've been obsessed with It's world ever sense then.
I'm praying this becomes a show, the horror, mystery, and unique concepts.
Netflix is making a movie. It is already in production, release date estimated January 2024.
Don't worry, soon enough it won't be far from real life.
@@zefft.f4010Ahhahaha I mean you'll never know but very possible
*"Black Mirror,"* anyone?
oh hey, i own this book! its truly heartwrenching, and i feel it's way scarier in a more psychological way than his other books. the artwork is incredible and the story is written in a way that really captures the reader... i still think about how haunting the images of the people in headsets looked!!
Patrolling the Mojave Almost Makes You Wish For a Nuclear Winter
This artist is a MASTER of his craft!! I love, love, love his work!! 😃😊🥰🥰🎨
Damn I don’t know why I thought this video would have like 1mil views despite being uploaded today
I just wanna say, thanks for making the captions yourself! It makes your already amazing videos accessible to more people and although I don’t need captions to enjoy videos, they improve the experience for me a great deal.
What captions? @solus_ren? I don’t need captions too?
I just wanna say, thanks for making the captions What captions?
Netflix is making a movie.
It is already in production,
release date estimated January 2024.
##@@?This story has horrified and enchanted me beyond any description of turds.
Ice Cream
@@whannabi Yup, it’s my favourite food
this feels like a silent warning of what might become of our nation if we continue to feed into mass consumerism
i was up all night, i have never seen or herd anything about this author or book, and watching this short overview has me compleatly captivated. The way you Narrated this, covering all of the major points was spectacular. You are very skilled at this Narrative. Thanks for this, you have brought me a new obsession. This type of sci-fi isnt really so far from our actual reality is it.
I've always been a big admirer of Electric state's work, and it's definitely had an influence on my pixel animation creations.
I've never heard of who this is, nor have I heard of this art but this seems really cool. The story is really interesting, and the art is stunning. I'll need to give this a look.
🔥🔥
Oh my God, I just realized that 16:56 and 18:32 are a direct before and after of the same scene, probably only seconds apart given the man is still in the same position. It even shows the birds flying away just before the colossal machine wakes up followed by bits of debris falling off the monster after it stands up. That's how fast these things can come to life and move around, that is the most terrifying thing ever
The narrator sounds like he has been in this futuristic meager world for a while, as if the controllers finally captured him and told him he must narrate this video or they will end him. It sounds like he's reading from a dark underground dungeon where he is being held by the evil robots and forced to record his voice, with an electric zapper gun aimed at his head.
You should explore the plane of New Phyrexia from Magic The Gathering as it is such an interesting yet twisted world of mechanical horrors
Fuck wizards.. you're cool, just had to say it.
Agreed
I've been into this type of art since probably the late 70s. I remember a couple album covers my brother had that were very similar to this and I was always transfixed by the images.
I can't believe I've never seen this guy's work!
i picked up 'The Electric State' at the library after watching this video and i cannot recommend reading it enough. There's a wonderful humanity in the story told to us by the protagonist that i'm glad Curious Archive didn't spoil, but I fully sobbed through. there is a familiar and haunting parallel in the main narrator's backstory and the world she's traveling through. Can't thank this channel enough for dissecting the book and inspiring me to read it!
Simon Stålenhags art is so special especially when you’re Swedish, all the settings are so familiar(the ones set in Sweden) I feel like I’ve been in most of his pictures, and the creepy feeling mixed with nostalgia and dejavú is just so… One of the coolest artists ever according to me
Never heard of Simon Stalenhag, but I love how he created a postapocalyptic scenario purely based on the existence of oversized VR headsets and strange amusement park robots. The creators of Atomic Heart should make a VR game of this scenario!
1:15 "Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear Winter"
9:28 one piece
15:54 That's a cool AMC Pacer.
I love your videos, the editing is so good and your naration is top tier.
I dig when this script veers off from being about the Electric State specifically, and becomes more about a peculiarly specific aesthetic rising in prominence. I started watching your channel for the spec evo, but I would love to see more of that popular art criticism out of ya
Reminds me of the original Red Dwarf books (not the TV series, but same universe, same writers). The books explored the VR simulators that connected direct to the brain, and altered the chemicals in the brain of the unfortunate user until they were quickly dependent on them, much like a drug user. They'd injure themselves constantly but didnt feel it when they were hooked up. They'd die and wither away it they had no family or friends to look after them. The book has a ton of cool ideas in it.
This reminds me of the uncomfortable feeling I had when smart phones came along. I still have it. Human behaviour changed in a very noticeable way, very very quickly.
I'm so glad this channel exists, the videos are amazing and you can tell how much passion is put into them.
first time when an art style actually brought up emotional feelings within myself.
before knowing about these, i was always into dystopian city artworks (which is similar i guess)
The image at 17:37 is not in the book version I have. Similarly an earlier one concerning the mysterious “agents” isn’t in either . I starting to see hidden depths here ...
here is a rough design for a horror game based on the book 'The Electric State':
Title: The Electric State: Nightmare Journey
Genre: Horror Adventure
Overview: The game takes place in an alternate version of the United States in the late 90s, where consumerism has spiraled out of control and resulted in apocalyptic consequences. The player takes on the role of a young woman who embarks on a journey with her small robot companion across a ruined landscape littered with the skeletons of terrifying machines. Along the way, she uncovers the dark secrets of the world and faces unimaginable horrors.
Gameplay:
Exploration: The game is a third-person adventure game where the player controls the protagonist as she explores the open world of The Electric State. The world is filled with danger and mysteries to uncover, including hidden areas, puzzles, and collectibles.
Combat: The player will face off against various monsters and machines that have been corrupted by the runaway consumerism of the world. The combat is a mix of melee and ranged attacks, as well as dodging and blocking.
Survival: The player must manage resources such as food, water, and ammunition, as well as maintain the health of the small robot companion.
Story: The game follows the same plot as the book but allows for player choices that impact the story's outcome. The story is told through environmental storytelling, dialogue, and cutscenes.
Art and Aesthetics:
Visual Style: The game mimics the art in the book, with a blend of photorealistic environments and surreal machines and monsters.
Sound Design: The sound design is crucial in creating a terrifying atmosphere, with ambient noise, unsettling music, and eerie sounds.
Worldbuilding:
Lore: The game fleshes out the world of The Electric State, adding new details to the existing lore and expanding on the backstory of the characters and world.
Characters: The game features a cast of memorable characters, both friendly and hostile, that the player will interact with throughout the journey.
User Interface and User Experience:
HUD: The HUD is minimalistic and non-intrusive, with health, resources, and quest objectives displayed in the corner of the screen.
Immersion: The game aims to create a sense of immersion by minimizing on-screen prompts, relying on environmental cues and subtle hints to guide the player.
Accessibility: The game features accessibility options such as subtitles, colorblind mode, and adjustable difficulty settings.
Conclusion:
This is just a rough design for a horror game based on 'The Electric State.' The final game would require further iteration and refinement, but it should provide a starting point for creating an engaging and terrifying experience.
In the game based on "The Electric State," the player will assume the role of the young woman and control her movement throughout the apocalyptic landscape. The game world will be a vast open-world environment with a range of terrains, such as ruined cities, desolate highways, and abandoned towns. The player will have to explore these environments to uncover the dark secrets of the world.
The gameplay will be a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and horror elements. The player will have to navigate through the dangerous environment while encountering various types of machines that are now left in ruins. Some machines might be scavenged for useful items or parts, while others might contain deadly traps or unexpected dangers.
The player's companion robot will have a variety of functions that can help the player progress through the game, such as providing light in dark areas, detecting hidden dangers, or hacking into machines to unlock secret paths. The player will have to utilize the robot's abilities to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
As the player progresses through the game, they will encounter various factions of survivors who have formed their own societies, each with their own agendas and secrets. Some factions might be friendly, offering quests and rewards, while others might be hostile, requiring the player to engage in combat to survive.
The game's story will unfold through exploration, dialogue, and cutscenes, with the young woman uncovering the dark history of the world and the events that led to its downfall. As the player delves deeper into the story, they will face unimaginable horrors, culminating in a final confrontation with the source of the world's destruction.
Overall, the game based on "The Electric State" will offer a tense, atmospheric experience that blends horror, sci-fi, and exploration gameplay elements, with a compelling story that unravels through the player's exploration of the ruined landscape.
In the gameplay of "The Electric State" game, exploration is a core mechanic. The game world is an open world, meaning the player can move freely in any direction they choose. The world is vast and diverse, with a range of terrains, from desolate highways to abandoned towns and ruined cities. The environment is littered with the skeletons of machines, and the remnants of human society, providing a rich and atmospheric setting for exploration.
The player must explore this world to uncover the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface. They will discover hidden areas, puzzles to solve, and collectibles to find. Exploration will also reveal the remnants of the world's past, and the events that led to its destruction.
Puzzles: Puzzles are a significant part of the gameplay in "The Electric State." The player will encounter puzzles that require them to utilize their environment and their companion robot's abilities to progress. For example, the player may need to solve a puzzle to unlock a gate or to access a hidden area. Puzzles will be challenging, but not overly difficult, to ensure that they provide an enjoyable challenge for players of all skill levels.
Combat: Combat is another key element of the gameplay. The player will face various types of machines and enemies throughout the game, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Combat will require the player to use a combination of weapons, tactics, and the environment to defeat their enemies. The player will be able to engage in both ranged and melee combat, depending on their preference.
Companion Robot: The player's companion robot will be an essential part of the gameplay. The robot will have a range of abilities, including hacking into machines, detecting hidden dangers, and providing light in dark areas. The player will need to use the robot's abilities to solve puzzles, access hidden areas, and progress through the game.
Collectibles: Throughout the game world, the player will find various collectibles, such as audio logs, documents, and artifacts. These collectibles will provide additional backstory and lore to the world, offering a deeper understanding of the events that led to its destruction.
Overall, the gameplay of "The Electric State" will offer a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and collectibles, creating a varied and engaging experience for the player. The game's open world environment and range of mechanics will ensure that players can explore and play the game in their own way.
In the game, survival would be a critical aspect of gameplay. The player must constantly scavenge for resources such as food, water, and ammunition to survive in the harsh environment of The Electric State. The player would also need to manage their inventory and make decisions about what items to carry with them on their journey.
Moreover, the small robot companion would require maintenance and repairs, and the player would need to keep it in good health to ensure its abilities and functionalities are available when needed. The robot could serve as a valuable ally and help the player navigate the environment and overcome challenges. The player would also have to protect the robot from damage, as it is essential for the player's survival.
In addition to managing resources and maintaining the robot, the player would also have to deal with hazards such as radiation, toxic environments, and dangerous machines. The player would have to carefully plan their journey and make strategic decisions about when to engage with enemies, when to avoid them, and when to retreat.
Overall, survival would be a significant challenge in the game, and the player would have to constantly balance their needs with the dangers of the world around them to succeed in their journey.
here's a possible plotline for the game based on the book "The Electric State":
Act 1: Setting the Stage
The game starts with the player taking control of the young woman protagonist, who is traveling through the desolate landscapes of the post-apocalyptic United States with her small robot companion. The player learns through environmental cues and dialogue with other characters that consumerism has gone rampant, leading to the downfall of society and the rise of terrifying machines. The protagonist is on a mission to find her missing family, but the journey is fraught with danger as they encounter hostile machines, treacherous landscapes, and other survivors with their own agendas.
Act 2: Unraveling the Mystery
As the protagonist explores further, she uncovers clues and pieces together the dark secrets of The Electric State. She learns about a mysterious corporation that was responsible for the creation of the rogue machines, and their sinister plans for the future. Along the way, she forms alliances with other survivors, including a group of resistance fighters who are determined to take down the corporation and restore order to the world. The player's choices during dialogue and interactions with characters can impact the story's outcome, affecting relationships and alliances.
Act 3: Confronting the Horror
As the protagonist gets closer to the truth, the challenges become more intense. The player must navigate through dangerous areas, solve puzzles, and manage resources like food, water, and ammunition to survive. The small robot companion plays a crucial role in assisting the protagonist, helping to hack into machines, provide support in combat, and uncover hidden paths. However, the protagonist's health and the well-being of the robot companion must be carefully managed to avoid dire consequences.
Act 4: Climactic Showdown
In the final act, the protagonist and her allies confront the corporation's stronghold, facing off against powerful machines and ruthless enemies. The player's choices throughout the game impact the outcome of the final battle and the fate of the world. Depending on the player's actions and decisions, there could be multiple endings, each with its own consequences and resolution for the protagonist and the world of The Electric State.
Epilogue: Resolving the Mystery
After the climactic showdown, the game's epilogue provides closure to the protagonist's personal journey and the overarching plot. The player sees the impact of their choices on the world and its inhabitants, and the resolution of the protagonist's quest to find her family. The game concludes with a sense of accomplishment and the possibility for replayability, with different choices leading to different outcomes and endings.
Overall, the game's plotline is driven by the protagonist's quest for truth and survival in a hauntingly beautiful yet terrifying world, with player choices and interactions with characters shaping the story's outcome. The exploration of the world, the management of resources, and the confrontations with horror elements create a compelling and immersive gameplay experience in this horror game based on "The Electric State."
Yes, the consequences of unchecked capitalism are a prominent theme and metaphor in The Electric State. The world in the game is a reflection of what could happen if society prioritizes consumerism and unchecked capitalism over everything else. The ruins of once-thriving cities and the robotic skeletons scattered throughout the landscape serve as a reminder of the price of unchecked technological advancement and consumerism.
Moreover, the game explores the consequences of reliance on technology and how it can ultimately lead to societal collapse. It also touches on the idea of corporate greed and the lengths that corporations will go to maintain their power and profit margins, even if it means putting the world at risk.
Through the game's worldbuilding and storytelling, players are encouraged to consider the consequences of their own actions and the importance of balance in society.
I must tell you how much I enjoy your work. Do you write your own scripts or does someone prepare them for you? Your explanations and observations are often so poignant and deep that I have come to expect to see your videos every month or so.
I am very proud to know about someone such as yourself who takes the journeys for us, and then returns to our world to give us your report (that's how it feels!) Thank you once again for a very exciting foray into "Electric State."
What fantastic artwork and the fact he pegged the internet back in the 90's as the electric state is unreal, like he had a vision of the future. Beautiful work.
Stålenhags artwork is pretty thought provoking
You might also find Wiliam Gibson's books interesting, if you haven't read them already
Who do you mean? The artist was born in 1984 and the book was published in 2018.
There was a fear of this very present in 80s and 90s
There were actually a few images shown here that weren't in the hardback edition I borrowed from my library. The image of the scrappers picking up materials, in particular. Anyone else have a similar experience?
Yes I did too, there is also one of "the agent" talking to a cop that doesn't seem to be in my library copy either, yet I don't see any mentions of an expanded edition or anything online?
1:23
Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter
12:03 Side note these films are based on John Wyndham's novel The Midwitch Cuckoo - lovers of sci fi will know him as the writer of The Day of the Triffids.
WOOOOO YEAH BABY WOOOOOOO
That’s what I’ve been waiting for! that’s what it’s all about wooooo!
My dad, uncle, brother, and I, used to live in real-world Norco because we all raced motocross and there are lots of trails and places to ride. It gets hit by “fire season” almost every year due to California drought
Because of your vids I purchased all of Simon Stalenhag's books. Set time aside for myself to read through them with music to accompany the reading. I have to say in my honest opinion that your videos were a far better experience than reading the actual books. I'm glad I financially supported Mr. Stalenhag but as far as value, your vids far outstrip the actual source material. Maybe I'm just brain rotted by watching too many CZcams vids but that's how I feel. thanks for making these.
Same here
Great video, always enjoy coverage of Simon Stålenhag.
Clarification: both films of "Village of the Damned" are adaptations of the book "The Midwich Cuckoos", by John Wyndham, better known for writing sci-fi horror stories like "The Day of the Triffids" and "The Crysalids". "The Midwich Cuckoos" is set in England, like most of his books.
Simon is a great artist. Way back we actually exchanged a few emails before he got so widely known. Seemed like a good guy.
i really like the contrast betewen the old and the new, simple suburban houses with gigantic ultra technological structures in the background.
The first village of the damned was a couple of miles down the road from where my house is. It still is a bit different down there even today.
I am seriously debating writing a short story to either _Things from the Flood_ or _The Electric State_
things from the flood is cooler in my opinion
What a masterpiece! I’m working on writing a post-apocalyptic road trip novel and definitely want to pull from some of these visuals for the setting.
Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter
It's like you're not just having to believe in the truth, you're always experiencing it. It's a sort of melancholic circumstance that many of us live day by day, reminding of us what was and still is. Liminality only complements it's nature by compelling the viewer into the world where something has happened and no one was meant to forget it.
This channel is great, but the thing I like the most is discovering the works where you get the ideas for your videos
9:40 you could not convince me to enter that barn.
I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING I HAVE HAD NIGHTMARES WITH THOSE ROBOTS OR MECHS IN AT THE BEGINNING IDK WHAT THEY ARE I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM ANYWHERE, JUST ONE NIGHT I HAD A NIGHTMARE THAT THOSE WERE ROAMING AROUND MY TOWN AND THEY COULD SHOOT PPL AND SHIT AND THEY KILLED EVERYONE
There was an episode in SeaQuest in the 1990s where they went to the future, and humans had destroyed themselves to the last two people by playing video games, which they were remote piloting real life mecha.