I'm familiar with the feelings you describe, but the Golden State's citizens appear to be unconcerned with this. The book's timeline is preceded by unspecified

I'm familiar with the feelings you describe, but the Golden State's citizens appear to be unconcerned with this. The book's timeline is preceded by unspecified terrible events which have destroyed the old world. These events are said to have been triggered by lies, and it's this terror of repeating past mistakes that keeps citizens in line.