Which norms do you think would still largely apply and what would be the first to go out the window? Are there principles you would personally still stick to despite not expecting the same from others? Do you think these rules would need to be enforced in groups or is “common decency” mostly inherent and universal? How about the difference between lone survivors and groups? Would an individual potentially be more dangerous due to nobody holding them accountable?
These are just examples of a different angles from which to consider this question. I’m curious about hearing your thoughts on what society would be like under what effectively is true anarchy.
The first rule to go out the window would definitely be respect for personal property. Survivors would still defend what’s theirs, of course, but in general, I don’t think anyone would judge you for looting.
I believe things like murder would still be largely frowned upon, but the definition of self-defense would probably become much looser. At a certain point, it would almost be expected that anyone who’s made it this far has likely killed someone along the way.
That said, as social animals, we’d still behave in many of the same ways we do now. We’d still be playing the same status games, and what others think of you would still matter. Being an outright asshole wouldn’t be a good long-term strategy - eventually, people would group up against you, or you’d just get your face hammered in while you sleep.
I also think different groups would develop their own variations on what is tolerated, with a stronger emphasis on live and let live between groups to avoid unnecessary conflicts.