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The Machine Stops (1909)

by E.M. Forster(Favorite Author)

4.01 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

140990329X (ISBN13: 9781409903291)

languge

English

genre

Science Fiction

publisher

Dodo Press

review 1: This short story by the author of Room With a View and Howard's End is an amazing glimpse into the future (possibly our near future) written 100 years before its time. It is astounding to think that at a time when horses were still a common mode of transportation, Forster glimpsed the possibility of video conferencing, streaming audio, and a host of other technological advances. And predicted that they would be the downfall of mankind. I have mulled over just how such a prediction might be possible. I mean, Forster wasn't a scientist or engineer and didn't seem to be all that focused on apocalyptic or futuristic things. How did he come up with this?My humble opinion (from what I know about his other writings) is that he didn't so much set out to predict the future of techn... moreology but instead was trying to figure out the future of mankind's relationships with one another. The nuances of the human soul and how it connects with another's is something that Forster is very good at. And as he looked around himself at the technological revolution of his day, I wonder if it didn't prompt him to wonder if these new inventions were going to bring us as individuals closer together or farther apart. Obviously, Forster concluded the latter. Strangely enough, it seems that today's big entrepreneurs seem to have the same goal in mind - replace expensive human labor and/or allow them to connect but only by putting some new app or service in between. After reading The Machine Stops, the trend is almost frightening. I like the story very well. The main characters (one devoted to The Machine and the other trying to break free) are so symbolic. I would dock half a star because they are not as three-dimensional as I think Forster is capable of, but on the whole it is a must-read in my book.
review 2: Pure genius. As SF and as classic literature. As SF, the story is better than what most people seem to react to in it. It isn't about predicting technology - people often misunderstand and think that IS what SF is about, although Forster does an incredible job of predicting an awful lot considering when he wrote this. What SF is really about is putting people we can relate to into situations where we can appraise ourselves by comparing the fictional characters to ourselves. This is why almost all SF really boils down to the question "What is Man?" I do, of course, skip over "action" stories that don't require any thinking or reflection at all. In this regard, Forster wrote an epic. We identify with the characters in that they are dealing with the same issues we are, and surprisingly with technology that doesn't seem very far-fetched from where we are now. I think that helps bring in a current readership a little more than would have been the case, say 50 years ago. Hmm, now that is interesting in itself.Then there is the classic literature side. Forster was a great writer of prose, his other works more than prove this. In this story his talent is sprinkled around like a finally seasoned gourmet dish. I found myself stopping to reflect on some lines as I came across them. Lines like:"Cover the window, please. These mountains give me no ideas." This one is repeated with other sights that we could not imagine reacting to as the character does, and it tells us so much in just a couple of words.And "Man is the measure." This one is brilliant. We see the difference between the character who comes to this belief versus his fellow citizens, and frankly, having done a lot of reading in philosophy of late, I found this one to be a bit revelational for myself. Of course this is true and yet not so obvious to realize for oneself.There are other lines worth note and discussion and I should point out that while I love a good quote, i usually do not discuss books and stories in regard to how well the author can turn a phrase. In this case though, it bore mentioning. less

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