Machine Stops, The

By Forster, E. M.

Book Id: WPLBN0002953287
Format Type:
File Size: 34.75 MB
Reproduction Date: 2007

Title:	Machine Stops, The
Author:	Forster, E. M.
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Fiction, Science fiction
Collections:	Audio Books Collection, Machine Stops, The
Historic Publication Date:	1909
Publisher:	LibriVox Audio Books


Citation APA MLA Chicago M. Forste, B. E. (1909). Machine Stops, The. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.us/

Description
The Machine Stops is a short science fiction story. It describes a world in which almost all humans have lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual lives in isolation in a 'cell', with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Most humans welcome this development, as they are skeptical and fearful of first-hand experience. People forget that humans created the Machine, and treat it as a mystical entity whose needs supersede their own. Those who do not accept the deity of the Machine are viewed as 'unmechanical' and are threatened with Homelessness. Eventually, the Machine apocalyptically collapses, and the civilization of the Machine comes to an end. (Wikipedia)Comment by book coordinator: A condensed rapidfire of details and ideas imagining a dystopian world. Good thing he made it a short story. And the world he describes feels so appalling, although we are good on the way to be where Forster imagined us - shocker. So imaginative for 1909! Staying at home with the telly and internet and instant messaging and videoconferencing, google and pizza delivery and all flats and all cities look alike. And the loss of Patience! Damn this is good and so true - with one big exception the many buttons for all the machines functions. But how would Forster know of digital interfaces? That would have been too much to foresee.

Summary
Electronic recorded live performance of a reading

Excerpt
Science fiction