The Machine Stops Analysis

Technology is the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization. In addition, technology has become a basic necessity for people all around the world. Not only does technology have positive effects on how people function in the world, but it also has many negative effects. On a similar topic, technology has improved the way we live very much, but people have become extremely dependent on it, almost to the point to where we could not live without it. The book “The Machine Stops” could be accurately compared to the way people around the world live their lives. For example, In “The Machine Stops” their society became so dependent on technology, that when technology died, the people died
In “The Machine Stops,” one major way that people entertained themselves is through music. For example, to keep the people occupied, The Machine provided them with music while they did their everyday activities. These people became so dependent on their music, that when the music began to develop problems, the people became very confused. In “The Machine Stops,” Vashti notices the problem with the music and she says, “I suppose, to the trouble, there has been lately with the music?” Vashti expresses her confusion and disappointment when she talks about the problems with the music. In the same way, people today have become very dependent on music. For example, when people drive in their car, they always have music playing. In addition, when the music in the car stops playing, people become very annoyed and uncomfortable. Similarly, people today also listen to music while walking down the sidewalk, working out, and even while sitting in their bed at home. Sadly, people today have become so dependent on music that when they don’t have it, they do not know how to react. Another piece of technology that people have become dependent on, is computers. With computers, people are able to access videos much like how people in “The Machine Stops” access their lectures through the machine. For example, people in “The Machine Stops” were able to watch their lectures through a computer and watch it
In “The Machine Stops,” The Machine provides the people with food, automatic beds, and medicine. For example, when Vashti was hungry, The Machine provided her with food at the push of a button. The Machine also provided her with medicine when she was sick. Another example is when she was tired; her bed would automatically fold out for her. This is scarily similar to the way people live their lives today. Sadly, people do not even have to go out to get food anymore. Although many people still do, people have the opportunity to have their food delivered to them. Also, people have their medicine delivered to them in the same way that food can be delivered. The final comparison is automatic beds. People today are able to push one button and have their beds fold out for them. Although this is much like “The Machine Stops,” we have also made advancement with automatic beds. With the push of a button, people are able to have their beds massage them as they go to sleep. When people have all of these luxuries, why would anyone want to leave their houses