Clash by Night (short story)

Clash by Night is a short story by Clifford D. Simak, first published in the March 1943 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. It is considered a foundational work in the science fiction subgenre of cyberpunk, predating much of the later, more widely recognized cyberpunk literature.

The story depicts a future Earth where humanity has largely abandoned the surface due to ecological devastation and lives in domed cities connected by underground tunnels. The protagonist, Paxton, is a scavenger who travels the desolate landscape, risking encounters with dangerous mutated creatures known as "Dugs" and the oppressive Dome City authorities. The story features advanced technology, social decay, and a gritty, dystopian atmosphere, all key elements of cyberpunk.

Thematically, "Clash by Night" explores themes of environmental destruction, technological dependence, and the struggle for survival in a harsh, unforgiving world. It contrasts the artificial safety of the dome cities with the raw, untamed reality of the outside world, questioning the true nature of progress and the cost of technological advancement. Simak's vision of a ruined Earth and humanity's adaptation to it significantly influenced later cyberpunk authors.