A Bright New Future
One last thing I will say about OWB is that it touches on a major theme in the Fallout universe which is that technology lead to the downfall of man.
Fallout is an alternate history that doesn't just present the scenario of nuclear war. The universe is completely different with respect to the level of technology of the world. Despite the 50's aesthetic, the Fallout universe has futuristic stuff like robots, laser weapons, fusion-reactor cars and so on. You can call it "atompunk" if you like. The thing that strikes me most though is that it has a certain vibe to it that brings to mind the optimism people had about technology, specifically, nuclear technology.
Once upon a time there was optimism. People had high hopes for the bright future nuclear technology could bring. Of course, Hiroshima and Nagasaki happened. There was that business of the Cold War too. But for a moment, there was the happy thought of a future powered by the atom and not scoured by it. This is present in Fallout too. It wasn't as pronounced in Fallout 1 and 2 and was merely design. It was excessively cranked up in 3 as was all things "ironic". In FONV, it was left on the wayside since the whole NCR and Legion conflict was more important. But OWB allows us to dwell on the subject for a bit.
The world of Big Mountain is the most futuristic place in the game or even perhaps, the series. Big Mountain is at the very cutting edge of technology. It had the best minds on the planet working inside its labs and money was hardly an issue with so many clients, public and private. Yet, look at all the bullshit that's happened. The Think Tank being composed of disembodied brains in jars made sense. Not only was it meant to show their complete and utter lack of humanity but also that they were nothing but the raw power of intellect. They had no heart nor soul. It's a story of science gone wrong and goes to show that whatever new thing people can come up with, it can be ruined and used to create invisible rattlesnake coyote hybrids that stalk the desert and kill lots of people. It's the same story we've seen before with nuclear energy. Nothing has changed. Nothing ever changes.
But it's not all bad. In the ending of OWB, the Courier can choose to use the Think Tank for his own ends either for good or evil. Again, just like religion in Honest Hearts, science isn't evil per se.
It all depends on the person and how he uses it.
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