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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another short story I read with my class. I really do love Forster's writing.
When you think about the fact that this was written in 1909, it is incredible the amount of things he got right. The conveneince of modern society. The dependence on technology. The social isolution that results from that dependence. Incredible.
I couldn't help making connections to other forms of media that have attempting to depict this- like the Pixar film Wall-E, with the earthlings who float around in hover chairs staring at screens all day.
I also found the connections that one can make between blind faith and modern society to be disturbing. When we make a God of things that are of Earth then we will get ourselves in so much trouble. I'm not a fan of religion in general, but at least when you worship something other worldly, and divine, you can only get so close to it. it is an ideal, something unattainable, to strive towards. But the Machine is made by man, and has now risen above it. A holy idol. This made me think of the blind faith that Republicans have in Trump. That it doesn't matter what he does wrong they have to keep believing in him, otherwise their whole life will no longer make sense.
Anyway, this story had me thinking a lot and I hope it gets my students thinking a lot! I'm looking forward to our discussion class.
When you think about the fact that this was written in 1909, it is incredible the amount of things he got right. The conveneince of modern society. The dependence on technology. The social isolution that results from that dependence. Incredible.
I couldn't help making connections to other forms of media that have attempting to depict this- like the Pixar film Wall-E, with the earthlings who float around in hover chairs staring at screens all day.
I also found the connections that one can make between blind faith and modern society to be disturbing. When we make a God of things that are of Earth then we will get ourselves in so much trouble. I'm not a fan of religion in general, but at least when you worship something other worldly, and divine, you can only get so close to it. it is an ideal, something unattainable, to strive towards. But the Machine is made by man, and has now risen above it. A holy idol. This made me think of the blind faith that Republicans have in Trump. That it doesn't matter what he does wrong they have to keep believing in him, otherwise their whole life will no longer make sense.
Anyway, this story had me thinking a lot and I hope it gets my students thinking a lot! I'm looking forward to our discussion class.
So this is an old story, I downloaded free from Amazon. Quick read and it kind of reminded me of 1984 in predicting how things could be if we rely on technology too much.
Vasari is the main character, an older woman who is content with her life. She lectures occasionally and has many contacts through a type of phone system. Everything is managed through the machine and she never leaves her room. But one day her son, whom she has not seen since his birth, calls. He wants to see her in person. She is shocked— no one visits in person. I won’t give away anymore of this short story. It is intriguing and worth the quick read. It looks like it took me a long time to read, but I was only reading whole walking laps at the YMCA. So really about hour or a little more.
Vasari is the main character, an older woman who is content with her life. She lectures occasionally and has many contacts through a type of phone system. Everything is managed through the machine and she never leaves her room. But one day her son, whom she has not seen since his birth, calls. He wants to see her in person. She is shocked— no one visits in person. I won’t give away anymore of this short story. It is intriguing and worth the quick read. It looks like it took me a long time to read, but I was only reading whole walking laps at the YMCA. So really about hour or a little more.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We created the Machine, to do our will, but we cannot make it do our will now. It has robbed us of the sense of space and of the sense of touch, it has blurred every human relation and narrowed down love to a carnal act, it has paralysed our bodies and our wills, and now it compels us to worship it. The Machine develops — but not on our lines. The Machine proceeds — but not to our goal. We only exist as the blood corpuscles that course through its arteries, and if it could work without us, it would let us die.
After reading this I've decided I need to read more of Forester's work. Not only does this short story correctly predicts the advances of technology (the internet, video calls, the rise of AI) it also provides a fascinating look at humanity falling to it's own hubris, with writing that's a pleasure to read. It has made me excited to look out for other older sci-fi short stories which is the highest praise I can give it.
I also recommend watching Out of the Unknown's 1966 adaptation (the only filmed version of this I believe exsits) if you enjoy this story, it is a wonderful adaptation that we're lucky it still exists: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lhjd7
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Genocide, Pregnancy, Abandonment
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, was für interessanter früher Zukunftsroman (aus dem Jahr 1909)! Es ist ein kleine Dystopie, die vor der Entfremdung des Menschen und seiner Abhängigkeit von "der Maschine" warnt. Bemerkenswert ist die kaum antiquiert wirkende Sprache.
Up until reading this book, I had only known Forster through a couple of his novels, which I had really enjoyed (Merchant Ivory's production of A Room with a View is pure beauty). These two short stories are radically different, delving into scifi and fantasy, which I would have never expected from this author.
'The Machine Stops' is scarily prophetic, reminding me of The Matrix but also Wall-E weirdly enough. It is so interesting to see what Forster imagined in this dystopian future, and even more unsettling when we compare it with our present world! This is one of the reasons I love reading.
I somehow didn't enjoy 'The Celestial Omnibus' as much. There is plenty of irony in here, with tons of literary allusions, but I didn't connect in the same fashion. Good story nonetheless.
Well, Forster really did surprise me here. These Penguin Mini Modern Classics are gems!
'The Machine Stops' is scarily prophetic, reminding me of The Matrix but also Wall-E weirdly enough. It is so interesting to see what Forster imagined in this dystopian future, and even more unsettling when we compare it with our present world! This is one of the reasons I love reading.
I somehow didn't enjoy 'The Celestial Omnibus' as much. There is plenty of irony in here, with tons of literary allusions, but I didn't connect in the same fashion. Good story nonetheless.
Well, Forster really did surprise me here. These Penguin Mini Modern Classics are gems!
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's incredible that this book was written over 100 years ago, yet it's still so relevant, that if someone would have told me it was written recently, I'd totally believe it. While it's short, it gives so much food for thought, as it addresses so many important topics, their consequences and a very eerie what-if scenario. It's easily one of my favourite books in 2025!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Death, Genocide, Suicide attempt