Technology In E. M. Forster's The Machine Stops

Humans are slowly becoming more reliant on technology as decades come and go. Science Fiction often imagines a world where human are utterly dependent on machinery and robots. Occasionally to the point where they are more metal and wires than they are human. Currently there is a clear distinction between man and manmade. Many still go without electricity, phones and computers. That is where we can separate ourselves from a fantasy world. However Science Fiction has casted a looming question over us all, will there be a time when we no longer depend on others, and solely electronics.

In The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster the machine is a metal God, it brings food, air, education and virtual contact with others. The people who have created it now can’t live without it. Once it stops, so does everyone’s lives. ¬This is more of a rarity

in 2015, but is becoming more common with medical advances. Doctor’s now possess the power to keep people ‘alive’ as long as they see fit with innovations like life support. Death has no longer become finite. No one for sure can say death is when the heart stops or is it when your brain shuts down. When we have machines that can keep your heart pumping, your lungs breathing, death is when the doctor’s quit and turn the machines off.

Even with those exceptions today people remain in power of their technology. Unplugging is as simple as a button, while it comes with anxiety of missing something it can’t hurt them. People can go into areas without cell reception, and come out happier than they were before. Unplugging for many gives a sense of relief, allows people to focus more on reading, relationships in the moment.

Technology has come with a certain resentment.

There is no worshipping of machinery, the gods today still remain rooted in thousand year old books. People are constantly scolding others for being on their phones too much. Feeling guilty for watching too much TV, complaining about advancements like CDs dying. People have not accepted technology fully into their lives like many do in Science Fiction, Wall-E and The Machine Stops being primary examples, the technology is only met with acceptance and eagerness. Save one or two people against the grain.

As the world today becomes more and more like science fiction, many fear and fight the chances. Control of today’s creations the largest difference. As time moves forward that may change. Lines between reality and Science Fiction are blurred regularly. The power to turn simply turn off could disappear. While people are readily welcoming self-driving cars, lab made meat, minds may change. One day the world may echo fictional creations. Where people welcome new advances, rely on their gadgets and gizmos. As religion becomes less popular, Gods will be replaces with tablets and

phones.

Humans are slowly becoming more reliant on technology as decades come and go. Science Fiction often imagines a world where human are utterly dependent on machinery and robots. Occasionally to the point where they are more metal and wires than they are human. Currently there is a clear distinction between man and manmade. Many still go without electricity, phones and computers. That is where we can separate ourselves from a fantasy world. However Science Fiction has casted a looming question over us all, will there be a time when we no longer depend on others, and solely electronics.

In The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster the machine is a metal God, it brings food, air, education and virtual contact with others. The people who have created it now can’t live without it. Once it stops, so does everyone’s lives. ¬This is more of a rarity in 2015, but is becoming more common with medical advances. Doctor’s now possess the power to keep people ‘alive’ as long as they see fit with innovations like life support. Death has no longer become finite. No one for sure can say death is when the heart stops or is it when your brain shuts down. When we have machines that can keep your heart pumping, your lungs breathing, death is when the doctor’s quit and turn the machines off.

Even with those exceptions today people remain in power of their technology. Unplugging is as simple as a button, while it comes with anxiety of missing something it can’t hurt them. People can go into areas without cell reception, and come out happier than they were before. Unplugging for many gives a sense of relief, allows people to focus more on reading, relationships in the moment.

Technology has come with a certain resentment. There is no worshipping of machinery, the gods today still remain rooted in thousand year old books. People are constantly scolding others for being on their phones too much. Feeling guilty for watching too much TV, complaining about advancements like CDs dying. People have not accepted technology fully into their lives like many do in Science Fiction, Wall-E and The Machine Stops being primary examples, the technology is only met with acceptance and eagerness. Save one or two people against the grain.

As the world today becomes more and more like science fiction, many fear and fight the chances. Control of today’s creations the largest difference. As time moves forward that may change. Lines between reality and Science Fiction are blurred regularly. The power to turn simply turn off could disappear. While people are readily welcoming self-driving cars, lab made meat, minds may change. One day the world may echo fictional creations. Where people welcome new advances, rely on their gadgets and gizmos. As religion becomes less popular, Gods will be replaces with tablets and phones.