110 - The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster

In another edition of our ongoing Book Club series, we discuss the bafflingly prescient and hugely unknown E.M. Forster proto-science fiction and dystopian story The Machine Stops. This was written in 1909 yet managed to very accurately predict technologies like the internet, including its ability to be used as a device that can allow people to never leave the house: video conferencing, delivering food, clothes, music, literature and even artificial oxygen all to individuals living in isolation in underground chambers, yet connected to thousands and mediated by "the Machine." A harrowing and all-too-familiar vision of a world saturated with social atomization and mechanized order as well the dire consequences they may bring.

Support: patreon.com/heatdeathpod

General Recommendations

JD's Recommendation: Dune (2021)JNM's Recommendation: The Machine Stops

Further Reading, Viewing, Listening

Public domain copy of the story: The Machine StopsAudiobook of The Machine Stops"How E.M. Forster’s Only Foray Into Sci-Fi Predicted Social Distancing""The Machine Stops" a review by famed neurologist and author Oliver Sacks"The Machine Stops: Science and Its Limits"The Machine Stops: Will Gompertz reviews EM Forster's workJNM's review of The Machine StopsWATCH: 1960s British science fiction anthology series Out of the Unknown included an adaption of "The Machine Stops" as one of their best received episodes (via archive.org)Review of the TV episode adaptation in Radio Times, September 29, 1966

Locationless Locations

heatdeathpod.comEvery show-related link is corralled and available here.Twitter: @heatdeathpodPlease send all Letters of Derision, Indifference, Inquiry, Mild Elation, et cetera to: [email protected]Also, check out our newly updated YouTube channel for the hell of it

Send us a Text Message.

Support the Show.