Actually, it might be dark ages after all, and here's why.
Though we used to know how to build wooden homes, purify water, perform first aid, grow food with modern techniques, etc. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST SUCH KNOWLEDGE that I think we'd be in a state worse than the Dark Ages.
All people know about is TV shows, cell phones, shopping, computers, etc. -- how many people can filter water using household equipment? Garden successfully? Perform first aid when no doctor, hospital (or electricity) is around? Build a decent shelter? Create a fire and make some nails? Make tools from scratch? You name it.
People used to have all kinds of practical skills. Now, for all our 'advancement', we're actually less skilled than a 12 year old from 1850. (when it comes to things that matter)
Which is why I advocate that we spend SOME of our time now learning such practical skills. For now, the Internet still works, and you can learn a LOT OF GOOD STUFF by spending your time wisely reading survival websites and such. I seriously doubt it would ever be a waste of time.
What else are people going to spend their time doing instead? Probably a much SURER waste of time.
Don't neglect spiritual reading, learning about the Faith (we have to convert people!), or the Rosary -- but after you do your duties of state (work, study) you should spend some time each day acquiring a down-to-earth skill that will ALWAYS be useful.
Matthew