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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Frighteningly poignant in the current lockdown - almost as if EM Forster had glimpsed 2020.
If this had been written today, it would be considered a satire of our modern culture. Instead, it was written over 100 years before the trends of Facebook, Skype, blogs, and everything else that keeps us from communicating face to face with people (yes, ironically, I read this story online and am writing the review through social media). The author was either extremely prescient or extremely lucky to stumble upon the idea for this short story. The story also fits in with the current trend of dystopias and post-apocalyptic books and movies.
If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, you should read this. If you worry about where our technology is taking us, you should read this (or not; it may scare the pants off of you). If you like thought-provoking science fiction, you should read this. If you like good story-telling, you should read this.
If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, you should read this. If you worry about where our technology is taking us, you should read this (or not; it may scare the pants off of you). If you like thought-provoking science fiction, you should read this. If you like good story-telling, you should read this.
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This novella is so compelling, more so because it was written in 1909 and eerily parallels our world in 2021.
This is really good, and when I'm reading this coming off a year of self isolation and the transformation of human interaction into zoom calls, timely.
I know humanity now is not within the Machine, but perhaps Forster was right and slowly we are being enveloped within it, its calm convenience replacing the more difficult face to face workings of the world.
I'm glad I read this, and I'm glad I can think on it, and consider my life choices by knowing that this (though a fictional story) is akin to a warning from nearly 100years ago and I should heed it.
We can always learn from fiction, there is no shame in that.
I know humanity now is not within the Machine, but perhaps Forster was right and slowly we are being enveloped within it, its calm convenience replacing the more difficult face to face workings of the world.
I'm glad I read this, and I'm glad I can think on it, and consider my life choices by knowing that this (though a fictional story) is akin to a warning from nearly 100years ago and I should heed it.
We can always learn from fiction, there is no shame in that.
"We created the Machine [...] 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 lies. The Machine proceeds - but not to our goal. [...] and if it could work without us, it would let us die."
It's fascinating to recall that this was written back in 1909.
It's fascinating to recall that this was written back in 1909.
More than 100 years ago, this author was talking about internet, intelligent houses, IA servos, OMG T_T outside they have a world so polluted that they need respirators just to go outside, and special permission to do so, its a really great dystopian book, and very actual… people worship the machine, a bit like today world if we think about it… scary…
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced