Mick, I always enjoy reading your posts.
The only other alternative I can think of for a “restart” is from Asimov’s Foundation where they shorten an oncoming dark age from 30k years to a few thousand (I forget the actual #). They do this by enscribing all knowledge in a giant encyclopedia, as well as by seeding an alternate civilization on the other side of the galaxy. This other civilization acts as a capsule to safeguard all human knowledge.
The cause of the dark ages isn’t Randian looting persay (but I should re-read it to be sure) but is tied to corruption and an bureaucracy imploding under its own weight.
Interesting observation about the randian looters not being the direct cause of the collapse in Asimov's book. I've read a little Asimov’s Sci Fi and his Annotated Paradise Lost. Prolific writer. Smart guy. But I don't know the book you reference
But if we don't go crazy and actually physically destroy the accumulated capital of our civilization I don't think we need a Asimov type capsule containing all our knowledge to restart our society.
Today I just don't see the level of decadence and hopelessness present in the America of Atlas Shrugged. As I've said before I know plenty of men and women as tough and smart as our ancestors...but crippled by a monstrous dead hand of corruption and bureaucracy ( as you put it from Asimov's book )
And the poison the seeps into every crevice of our culture is the Fiat Money. I know I am starting to sound like a one tune band, but I believe this. All I know is that the immorality of having men create our money out of thin air, at their will, has given the national government such immense power over this society that nothing, not laws, not new leaders, can give us back our independence from their tyranny. We must destroy this beast. Or one by one every State in the Union will fall into insolvency. And the final pin to fall will be the Federal Gov. itself.
And I am afraid to say that you in California seem to be destined to be the first to reap the whirlwind. Kind of like a trial run through the Hurricane. Looks like you will get to try out some ideas before the rest of us after the vote on Tuesday for The Day After The Collapse. Good luck, FRiend.