A volume I have been reading posits a series of cascading errors by galactic administrators resulting in the temporary absence on earth of all visible signs of universe administration.
Until affairs can be rectified, the planet is quarantined from all verifiable contact with the rest of the populated cosmos to prevent the spread of confusion from here to those worlds where the normal progression of civilization continues unencumbered.
An interesting thesis that opens the door to many fascinating possibilities.
Ping.
That does sound like an interesting premise. What's the book/ author?