The last memorable series I read that explains and subverts this trope (and is buried on that TV Tropes page) is Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy, where technology such as gunpowder is actively suppressed to keep the power firmly in the hands of the dictator.  In a sequel to the trilogy, which takes place after…

As of right now, Rotten Tomatoes looks like an asshole to the 1 or 2 people in the world who will clicked on the link to the AV Club review and ended up at "Page Not Found."

You goddamn piece of shit

What's so special about the summer?

I think I actually spent more time "playing" the stupid trading mini-game in AC3:L for money than I did running around killing people.

Actually Shinigami probably wins now that I've seen his post, but I'm still too disgusted by the rest of you to care

bongoes wins, by virtue of being the only one that didn't make me literally, figuratively, and virtually vomit.

Hey asshole, it's 2013

ess em aitch

Stuff your nostalgia up your ass

ugh

wtf is diss

You need to spend less time off your ass

Acceptable but unremarkable

You disgusting turd

Your breadth smells minty

You goddamn neophyte

The most important question that comes to mind is "Will it star Huge Ackman?"

logglefuck

A public TV had CNN on yesterday morning, and I found it funny that after a pretty bleak story on the tensions between Syrian flood refugees and Lebanese citizens, the news anchors basically said something to the effect of "…A tragic situation indeed.  AND NOW WE RETURN TO LIVE COVERAGE ON THE ROYAL BABY!"