Why are there no stairs in the Silo?
Table of Contents
Theory 1: Advanced Technology of the Past
The Silos may have been constructed in a time of advanced technology which allowed for near-instantaneous transportation between levels, negating the need for stairs. This technology might be subtle and unnoticed by the residents, or it could be something they've come to take for granted due to their lack of knowledge about the outside world. For example, they could be living within a massive gravitational elevator system, where localized gravitational fields are manipulated to move individuals or objects between floors. This advanced technology, however, failed during the catastrophe, and the society had to revert to more primitive methods of travel within the silo.
The Silo might be a product of an era of technological sophistication far surpassing our current understanding, wherein an advanced transportation system superseded the need for stairs. This technology could be rooted in manipulating gravitational fields for movement between levels, somewhat like the concept of a gravitational elevator system. There is some evidence in favor of this, namely the lack of recorded history of the old world and the existence of the IT department that controls a wealth of sealed knowledge. The absence of stairs and the system’s self-sustaining nature could indeed suggest that they live in a habitat far more technologically advanced than they understand.
However, several factors argue against this theory. If such technology existed, why isn’t it evident in other aspects of life within the Silo? Why would such a complex system revert to using suits and woolen cloths to clean external sensors? Moreover, wouldn't there be more obvious traces of this advanced civilization, like the suit's visor displaying computer-generated images, that the inhabitants would question or notice? The very fact that the society had to revert to more primitive ways of life after a catastrophe seems to contradict the existence of such advanced, highly resilient tech infrastructure.
Theory 2: Crowd Control and Isolation
The absence of stairs could be a deliberate design choice intended to limit the movement of residents and maintain control. Without stairs, people can't just decide to move between levels, and such restriction could be an effective measure to manage a population. For example, the IT department, which seems to be the governing body, could intentionally disable access to stairs, controlling people's mobility. This serves to keep residents in their assigned locations and reduces the likelihood of dissent or rebellion spreading between floors, in turn preventing a mass uprising that could endanger the Silo's stability.
The absence of stairs might be a purposeful design choice to limit the mobility of residents and ensure order. This is a plausible theory given what we know about the role of the IT department. Bernard, the head of IT, is shown to be willing to go to great lengths, even murder, to maintain control. It stands to reason that a lack of stairs, a basic architectural feature that enables free movement, would be an effective way of restricting residents' interactions and preventing dissident ideas from spreading.
However, while this theory is compelling, there are inconsistencies. For instance, Mayor Jahns and Deputy Marnes manage to travel to the Mechanical zone, the Silo's lowest level, to interview Juliette, suggesting some degree of mobility is possible. The specifics of how they traveled are not stated, but it implies that even in the absence of stairs, there are other ways for people to move around within the Silo. If the intent was truly to restrict movement for control, why allow any means of travel at all?
Theory 3: Environmental Restrictions
The Silos may be built in a way to conserve energy or protect against external environmental factors. If the Silo is under threat from outside conditions, it's plausible that it was constructed to minimize exposure to these threats. Stairs could potentially allow more of the outside toxins to permeate the Silo or compromise the structural integrity of the place. By eliminating stairs and potentially opting for other methods of vertical transport like elevators, the Silo may be designed to withstand external pressures.
The Silos could be designed to limit exposure to external environmental factors, where the lack of stairs might be an attempt to minimize potential breaches of the Silo's outer shell. The primary evidence supporting this theory lies in the fundamental concept of the Silo itself, a closed, self-sustaining system where the inhabitants are told that the outside world is deadly. The lack of stairs could prevent the spread of toxins between floors, preserving the integrity of the sealed environment.
However, this theory has its drawbacks. One could argue that having elevators or other mechanisms would pose an equal or even greater risk of environmental exposure. Moreover, if the threat was so severe, one would expect the Silo to have more sophisticated, tech-driven measures to protect against it, like airlocks between each floor or advanced filtration systems. Instead, the Silo seems to rely on more traditional methods like suits and wool cloths to handle external threats, which seems inconsistent with this theory. Additionally, it doesn't explain why Juliette is able to safely navigate outside the Silo, suggesting that the 'outside' may not be as deadly as the Silo's residents are led to believe.
Theory 4: Psychological Influence
The absence of stairs could serve as a psychological tool to keep residents in a constant state of disorientation or dependence. In a world with no stairs, people can't easily visualize how high or low they are within the Silo, which can cause a disconnection from reality and create an environment where manipulation is easier. This could be a tactic used by the IT department to maintain control over the population. This physical and psychological restriction keeps the Silo's inhabitants docile and obedient.
The lack of stairs could act as a tool to maintain a state of disorientation or dependence among the Silo's residents. Living without a concept of vertical movement might disorient the population, making them more susceptible to manipulation. This theory finds support in the seemingly omnipotent control of the IT department, as exemplified by Bernard, and the constant surveillance that pervades Silo life. In this context, the absence of stairs could be viewed as a psychological technique to control and manipulate the populace, essentially disconnecting them from any frame of spatial reference and making them more malleable.
However, countering this theory is the fact that the inhabitants seem to have a strong sense of their location within the Silo, especially those who work in departments like the Mechanical zone. They are fully aware of the verticality of their environment, even in the absence of stairs, implying that the absence of stairs may not serve to disorient the inhabitants as much as one might think. In addition, characters like Juliette show significant autonomy and resistance to manipulation, suggesting that this disorientation, if it is a goal, isn't entirely effective.
Theory 5: Symbolism of Hopelessness
The lack of stairs might be a symbolic manifestation of the hopelessness and despair of the Silo's inhabitants. The very essence of stairs - ascending or descending - embodies progress, change, and movement. However, in the context of the Silo, the absence of stairs could be a metaphorical representation of the impossibility of escape or change in the status quo. This stark lack of agency, visualized through the missing stairs, could further cement the inhabitants' acceptance of their grim reality.
The absence of stairs might serve as a powerful symbol of the despair and hopelessness that the inhabitants of the Silo experience. The concept of stairs represents progress, change, or movement, so a lack of them could suggest stagnation and lack of agency. The events that unfold in the Silo, like the seemingly inevitable fate of the cleaners or the ruthless control by the IT department, do convey a sense of hopelessness that aligns with this symbolic interpretation.
The main contradiction to this theory lies in the inherent defiance and resilience of certain characters. For instance, Juliette's refusal to clean the sensors and her exploration outside the range of sight signify an act of rebellion and a flicker of hope that contradicts the concept of absolute despair. Additionally, Lukas and Peter's actions against Bernard, as well as the Mechanical staff's uprising, suggest that while hope might be scarce, it certainly exists in the Silo. Furthermore, the symbolism of stairs might not be universal or might not resonate with all inhabitants, making this theory less applicable to the Silo's diverse population.
