So far, my initial impression is it’s better-written than Unintended Consequences. (Actually I don’t think the author would want to be compared to that book).
Voting people in or out isn’t just about utility, it’s about morale.
If I were Matt and Chase, I would have left the country and the hemisphere. I would find a way to publicize my side of the story from a distance. Public opinion matters. Why is media always excluded from the plan? You’re already famous can’t go back from that.
“That winter, they ate the golden retrievers” dogs and dog breeds survive based on what people need. The idea that even a wolf is free or independent of humans is only relative to our dependence on humans. Every animal on Earth now survives at the behest of humans, it just doesn’t appear so direct.
On Prepping in General
99% of world’s resources are controlled by humans
Retiring is the closest people typically actually come to this scenario because the most difficult thing about surviving long-term IMO would be adjusting to caring about different things. Complete routine adjustment. Completely different source of self-worth.