I just finished reading The Machine Stops, a science fiction short story by E.M. Forster. It documents a dystopian future where humanity lives entirely underground in isolated cells, relying on a global "Machine" to provide all physical, social, and intellectual needs.
A good description for it is “terrifying prophetic”. During the tech expansions of 1909—now considered archaic—Forster developed this story to warn against the “futurism” many were so enthusiastic about at the time. Terrifyingly, our world has increasingly transformed to mimic it. Here are the similarities between The Machine Stops and our world today:
Firstly, main characters Vashti and Kuno communicate using a “blue plate”, where they can hear and see each other. Forster accurately predicted FaceTime and Zoom 101 years early.
In the story, there’s a Central Committee that “controls” the Machine. But in reality, they only understand the basic mechanics of it. The Central Committee does not manage the Machine; they merely interpret it, holding no more power over its actions than we do over the weather.
This feels similar to Artificial Intelligence, doesn’t it?
Eliezer Yudkowsky, an AI safety pioneer, says, “by far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” AI is controlled by a mysterious inner circle of companies; they themselves don’t fully grasp it.
The story also documents the use of buttons to demand practically anything. This is similar to today; we can change the temperature, light, music, and security of our atmosphere all with the click of a button.
At first, The Machine Stops felt like an extreme version of today, only highlighting the undesirable parts of the world as we know it.
But the more I thought about it, the more relatable it became. Our society “exalts” one-click shopping, lightning-fast delivery, and instant streaming services as things that “characterize the most efficient period in society”. But at what point do we realize that, “...it is we that are dying, and that…the only thing that really lives is the Machine?” (The Machine Stops, chapter 2) Slowly and subtly, impatience and irritation—“a growing quality” according to the story—is allowed to creep into our society. Virtually everything is at our fingertips, so we stop exercising patience and self-control.
Also similar to the story, many live their lives far detached from first-hand experience. Vashti says, “beware of first-hand ideas!...they are but the physical impressions produced by love and fear, and on this gross foundation who could erect a philosophy? Let your ideas be second-hand, and if possible tenth-hand, for then they will be far removed from that disturbing element — direct observation.” (The Machine Stops, chapter 3)
In the eyes of these people, emotions are but an obstacle to forming good ideas about the world.
This seems false and outrageous, until one realizes many people today live through this neutralized lens. The internet is an echo chamber for ideas; instead of having thoughtful dialogue, many of us live in a hall of mirrors, seeing only a distant reflection of the original image.
The world today is far from perfect. But this short story is a contrasting element that helps us see the blessings we have in right front of us. True knowledge, family, personal connection, the arts, and the gift of curiosity; these are the things we must cherish.
I highly recommend you read it. The story is alarming, but the message is relevant.