[quote=@chayden13]
So I know it's been discussed but I'm not entirely sure where the technology level lies? As it's been stated, there would be some remnants of technology left over from before the collapse, but it would be difficult to find the manpower to operate a large-scale industrial movement. Not to mention the fact that this takes place a few generations after the collapse of society, so there'd probably be even less people who know how to operate advanced machinery. So would this mean that'd wed be working with a lesser technology level? I agree with Vilageidiotx and that we should probably have the technology equivalent of the 1800's and the early Industrial Revolution, so steam-power, muskets and early rifles, etc.

Also, how do I edit the map to add my location? I should post my nation sheet some time today.
[/quote]

Trying to cover how technology is affected is very broad and I could very well write a book on what'd happen in this worse-case scenario and provided the outside circumstances are in full play here. But the general rule of thumb is that first and foremost the interaction of volcanic ash with moving parts would mean there's a high chance of it ruining motors for something like generators, cars, airplanes, and the what not. It would or may be like what'd happen if you ran an engine on low or no oil and they'd eventually seize up and die, but this'd be concentrated more in the air intake for carburation or even air-cooling the motor and not reducing the friction heat between moving parts (though if it got inbetween those spaces it probably would do damage similar).

Destruction of cropland on the continent and the crippling of refrigeration and transporting things by air or by sea in mass also comes with the consequence that there's not a lot of food being produced, and being required for survival society would turn to emphasize more on feeding itself than it would in maintaining computer, automobiles, or any large modern infrastructure. Deaths by starvation and disease from the deterioration of hospitals and modern emergency services and medicine would contribute to a loss in population highlighting these new priorities.

It's unlikely anyone would forget how to do these things since we have a tendency to write books. People'd still know about germs and bacteria because it's been written, and technical guides to making guns would probably be in circulation. But the shift in society's focus and loosing out on important resources like oil and being set back more than a century means what can be accomplished with low-tech means would take priority over rebuilding the global supply chains required to even get back to the 20th century.

The best I can see is be aware and do some research. In order to get to steal we had to work with iron. And when it comes to synthetic rubbers we need first natural rubber which is unobtainable in North America and to even get to making the supply chains to get natural rubber again as a stepping stone towards synthetic rubber it could be said that America needs to be a nation once again.

And the rest of the world is in shit condition too. It took a hit as hard as the states minus the whole Yellowstone deal so they're not going to be coming to the former US either. We're down to dealing with the limitations of our local supply.