The Machine Stops
E. M. Forster's short story seems to represent the idea that technology is destructive to the relationships people have with each other. Perhaps the story acts as a prediction of the future, considering that technology is advancing so quickly. Vashti prefers to sit in her room with only the Machine to keep her company, rather than engaging with people or nature. I find this aspect of the story especially interesting because, usually, younger people are criticized for using technology excessively. In this story, however, Vashti and her son, Kuno, play opposite roles.
Vashti mentions the "Central Committee" as well while Kuno refuses to speak of his expedition to the surface of the earth over the Machine, which leads me to believe the Committee is monitoring all of the civilians. The presence of the Committee could represent the government trying to subdue people using the NSA. Thus, Forster's story suggests that a rise in technology would diminish our privacy and subject us to constant surveillance.
The concept of "direct experience" is also interesting. Vashti is terrified of the direct experience of boarding the airship. This could represent the idea that social media has allowed many of us to live vicariously through family, friends or even celebrities, which quells our need to go out and experience the world on our own.
Kuno's explanation of constellations suggests that appreciating the beauty of nature becomes an antiquated practice due to the rise of technology. According to Vashti, the earth has become a barren desert. Kuno, however, wishes to lead an expedition to the surface and see the stars. In the real world, we are so eager to discover and create new technology while looking toward the future. But Kuno and his group would rather envelop themselves in the past, searching for a history in the brown, barren earth. Kuno's actions suggest that, when our civilization reaches its peak in technological advancements, we will have nowhere to go except back into the past. Actually, we can see this happening today with the rise of the retro aesthetic and 80's pop culture. So, although I believe technology is necessary for civilization to progress, Vashti's character has shown me that addiction to technology is detrimental to a person's physical and psychological states.
Vashti mentions the "Central Committee" as well while Kuno refuses to speak of his expedition to the surface of the earth over the Machine, which leads me to believe the Committee is monitoring all of the civilians. The presence of the Committee could represent the government trying to subdue people using the NSA. Thus, Forster's story suggests that a rise in technology would diminish our privacy and subject us to constant surveillance.
The concept of "direct experience" is also interesting. Vashti is terrified of the direct experience of boarding the airship. This could represent the idea that social media has allowed many of us to live vicariously through family, friends or even celebrities, which quells our need to go out and experience the world on our own.
Kuno's explanation of constellations suggests that appreciating the beauty of nature becomes an antiquated practice due to the rise of technology. According to Vashti, the earth has become a barren desert. Kuno, however, wishes to lead an expedition to the surface and see the stars. In the real world, we are so eager to discover and create new technology while looking toward the future. But Kuno and his group would rather envelop themselves in the past, searching for a history in the brown, barren earth. Kuno's actions suggest that, when our civilization reaches its peak in technological advancements, we will have nowhere to go except back into the past. Actually, we can see this happening today with the rise of the retro aesthetic and 80's pop culture. So, although I believe technology is necessary for civilization to progress, Vashti's character has shown me that addiction to technology is detrimental to a person's physical and psychological states.
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