The Machine Stops : A Cautionary Vision

Projections that have been made about how today’s society and culture will look in the coming years, decades, and centuries, all have yet to be seen in how valid they are. If you look in any sort of media: television, social media, or radio/music, you will see people giving their interpretations of what will become of our world down the road. Yet, few people look to see how our the current state of culture and society reflect the projections made by people in previous years, decades, and centuries. In looking at the visions of the future presented by both novelas, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, and The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, each story presents aspects of society that prominently appear today. Written during the Industrial Revolution, a time where technology and human innovation was at one of its highest points in recent history, both stories explore the possible effects of the machinery that was becoming evermore present. Both authors present aspects such as omnipotent technology, decaying human independence, and destruction of real communication, to create the artistic statement that complacency is rising within the human race, and that complacency will eventually lead to the fall of mankind. In both stories, the authors speak against human complacency and deference to technology, warning that it will lead to the creation of weaker people and society that will ultimately destroy the human race, yet that complacency is present in today’s culture and due to the

In the short story, The Machine Stops by E.M Froster, a dystopian future is shown where everything is run by ‘the machine’. This story is through the prediction of Vashti and follows her and her son, Kuno who lives on the other side of the world. The earth surface is said to be unlivable so everyone lives underground. The machine helped people live and be happy and everyone came to love it and need it. These two characters struggle to live and communicate in this world controlled by the machine. Human interaction was uncommon, if you wanted to talk to someone you would do it from your room like we do now on FaceTime. Everyone is uneducated on new ideas and stick to the basics. But Kuno believes there's more to this world and that the machine isn't required. He confides in his mother and tells her how he went to the earth’s surface illegally. He tells her how other people lived there without the help of the machine. Her son is caught and taken away by the machine and threatened with death. Vashti doesn't think too much into this absurd situation and continues on with her life.

In E.M. Forster’s short story “The Machine Stops”, he portrays a dark dystopian society that is encapsulated by the Machine in which they all worship; this is analogous to society today being so attracted to technology. The story takes on a very dark and dull tone to help convey his purpose of pointing out that society is too dependant on technology. Forster develops his dystopian society by showing their social norms and what happens when the said technology fails them. He connects dystopian factors in the story to common day things. For example, he alludes to God, satirizes society’s dependence on technology, and shows the effects technology has had on humanity to help emphasize society’s reliance on technology.

In The Machine Stops, E.M. Forster projects life years from now where people live underground with extreme technological advances. Also, people live separated in little rooms where they find a variety of buttons they can press in order to perform any task they desire. They do not communicate with people face to face as often as we do now. Without a doubt, their society is very different from ours. All of the inhabitants are used to living along with the Machine and it is hard for them to imagine life without everything the Machine is able to facilitate. People are so caught up with technology that they find it absurd to spend time in nature. Because of the dependence people have towards the Machine, they have somewhat lost their humanity

At what point will society place a dependence upon technological advancements rather than the curiosity and interactions of mankind? With the constant acceleration of improvements within technology and any piece of information readily available many authors, artists, and individuals question the natural world as each generation more elaborately explores the innovative approaches towards science and technology. E.M. Forster’s short story, “The Machine Stops,” is based upon a fear of the technological revolution, and it introduces the audience to a utopian society facing multiple forms of isolation as a result of his society reaching complete dependence upon the technology of the Machine. The society’s reliance upon the Machine creates a divide between those who display an adoration and worship towards the Machine versus citizens who prevail and fight for their individual freedom. E.M. Forster illustrates the role he foresees technology to play in the end of human civilization through an exaggerated vision of the effects that technology leaves on our lives, which helps the audience to better understand our present day society properly.

Shelley, by using science within her novel, lays the foundation for a new genre of writing: science fiction. Science fiction is based on future scientific or technological advances, and is the relationship between science and the future (Dictionary.com). Her main character, Victor Frankenstein, becomes obsessed with science at a young age.

Society today possesses an over-reliance on technology. Advancements in technology paved the way for the formation of new applications and forms of social media that potentially lead to the loss of the intimacy of communication and personal relationships among users. As a result of the ease of communication through technology, face-to-face interaction rarely occurs anymore. Long before technology began advancing at a rapid pace, authors used their medium of writing to comment on the dangers of relying on technology too excessively. E.M. Forster’s short story, “The Machine Stops,” written in 1909, highlights a dilemma that society’s over-reliance on technology created between virtual connectivity and face-to-face interaction. That over-reliance, perfect for the futuristic, dystopian society in “The Machine Stops,” also serves as a cautionary tale for the technological culture of today.

There have been many great books that have been based on the growing relationship of technology and human beings. Today, technology is continuously changing and evolving along with the way people adapt to these technological advances. Technology has completely changed our way of living, it has entwined with our humanity, by being able to replace limbs and organs that we once thought could not be replaced. One of the most crucial things that technology has changed is the way people in society interact with one another. A story written by William Gibson titled “Burning Chrome”, portrays that very idea. In his text, Gibson presents that the reader lives within a world where there is no boundaries or limitations between technology and humans.

Although technology is a superior advancement in our culture, the dystopian novel by M.T. Anderson, Feed brings forth the idea of what would happen if this advancement were to go too far. In this story, individuals have lost all sight of reality after being addicted to the feed, as it takes over their lives. One cannot live a normal life without it. In times today, people can completely function (with exceptions) without the use of technology. The theme for this novel exaggerates some realities, but for others, it isn’t so far-fetched.

World-renowned science fiction author, Isaac Asimov, stated, “Today’s science fiction is tomorrow’s science fact.” The quote insinuates the power that the genre grants readers: the power to predict the future. Although, a seemingly inconceivable idea, these fictitious texts provide valuable insight into significant issues and matters both known and unknown of the future. Upon original release, the novels remain a mere glimpse into impossible feats, but the true artistry of the genre is, over time, revealed through the definite parallel between predictions made by authors and reality. In Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, this is exemplified through the implications of corporate greed, advanced technologies and bureaucratic

Throughout this semester our literary material dealt with themes of technology, modernization, the imponderable bloom, human nature, and truth to name a few of the most overarching. Each text has woven an impression of the possible near future for humanity if the patterns we are creating continue at an exponential rate. Patterns such as consumerism, neglecting unpleasurable emotions, using drugs, and controlling the environment for our short term benefits will write an unsavory and inevitable future. Science Fiction often reflects on society by exaggerating their negative characteristics and advancements to seem far-out, but often it is ironic how close many aspects of the fiction are a direct reflection of the present condition. Even now, the possibilities of utopias and dystopias forming are not so out of reach. The ability of our culture to control an entire population with a self-satisfied culture of vices outfitted with technology is less and less science fiction as the years pass.

The short story “The Machine Stops” by E.M. Forster opens the mind to consider how technology has a high potential to dehumanize humanity. A recurring theme in humanity is religion. It is viewed as one of the most pinnacle parts of humanity by some. In the story, technology replaces any other religious figures for this society including religious figures such as gods.

The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster is about a dystopian society in which human lives are controlled by the Machine. Every need and desire is available to the people of the Machine literally at the push of a button. However, those that are unsatisfied with this life are considered heretics and face exile. The Machine Stops criticizes anti-existentialist views as they eventually lead to the downfall of humanity. Kuno is the existentialist protagonist of the story whose aberrant behavior sets him apart from the rest of society.

Literature Resource Center. Web. 9 Nov. 2016.Cansler begins by defining the area of science fiction by first mentioning the history of the science fiction genre starting around the nineteenth century with a change from romantic fantasy stories to science fiction stories.In addition to a brief history, Cansler provides a definition for science fiction as being a type of storytelling where breakthroughs are present in the many types of sciences. Cansler mentions that because of science fiction’s ability to present such innovations thereby also different viewpoints, science fiction is naturally able to criticize the current social norms as well. Cansler uses Ray Bradbury as an example of being one of the many authors to question religious ideals, people’s morals, and many other areas just like Heinlein does in Stranger in a Strange Land through the main characters’ actions and/or thoughts. Cansler believes through new ideas science fiction is also able to serve as entertainment as well, but only to people who are willing to consider the science fiction novels’ varied and imaginative themes. An example of needing to have the ability to accept the topics in Stranger in a Strange Land is when Smith is able to travel without the need of a body due to the presence of unrealistic aspects. Moving on to social criticism present in Stranger in a Strange Land, Cansler

In the short story “Sally,” by Isaac Asimov, elements of Science-Fiction are shown.  These elements of science fiction are that the setting is in the future, that there is true and fictitious technology, situations that have never happened, and there are positives and negatives of the technology on the human race.