Cover: Portrait of E. M. Forster by
Dora Carrington (1893–1932),
1924-25. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
E. M. Forster’s most famous novels, including Howards End and A Passage to India, examined British society and its class system in the early part of the twentieth century. In 1909, he wrote one notable science-fiction story: “The Machine Stops”. The story is remarkable for its prescience, including depictions of (what we would now call) the Internet, videoconferencing, iPads, massive open online courses (MOOCs), widespread obesity, and avoidance of face-to-face contact. The Machine of the title is an all-encompassing intelligent infrastructure that meets all human needs. - Stuart Russell, Human Compatible Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control, 2019 -
Maurício Pinheiro
How good it is to have a smartphone or tablet. I think most people would agree with me, but for different and numerous reasons. For me, it certainly isn’t for answering or talking to others, since I agree with Tancredo Neves that the phone is only useful for setting up meetings, and even then, in the wrong place and time. Let me clarify, for me they are primarily pocket libraries. As I read a book in digital format (and today we can access almost every book ever written), I highlight some passages and save them to a file in the cloud for future review, rereading, reflection, etc. This way, I retired my highlighters and the bad but useful habit of writing notes in books. And in my opinion, it’s only a matter of time until they disappear, not burned by dystopian firefighters or fascist (and/or communist) dictators, but simply because they lose their practical utility and become only collectible items. Yesterday, in one of the final chapters of Stuart Russell’s book, I came across the reference cited above. I wasn’t very familiar with the novelist Edward Morgan Forster (London, January 1, 1879 – Coventry, June 7, 1970). What I always do before reading a book is to look up information about the author. And with Forster, Russell’s two references were sufficient for me, in addition to the enigmatic message in the above-mentioned quote.
Edward Morgan Forster, born in London in 1879, was a prominent English novelist, short-story writer, and essayist. He studied at Cambridge University and published his first novel, “Where Angels Fear to Tread,” in 1905. Forster went on to write several other critically acclaimed novels, including “A Room with a View,” “Howards End,” and “A Passage to India,” which explore themes of social class, gender, and colonialism. However, his most visionary work is considered to be “The Machine Stops,” a dystopian science fiction novella published in 1909. In this story, Forster imagines a world where humans live in isolated, underground cells and communicate solely through a global network called “The Machine.” He foresaw the rise of technology and the potential consequences of over-reliance on machines and the isolation of humanity from nature. Forster was also a prominent essayist and literary critic, and his essays on literature and culture are still widely read today. Throughout his career, he advocated for personal freedom and individuality, reflecting his progressive political and social views. Forster died in 1970 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of insightful and enduring literature.
The Machine Stops
“The Machine Stops” is a science fiction novella written by him and published in 1909. Despite its age, the story is surprisingly visionary, depicting a world where humanity is entirely reliant on technology, specifically a vast machine that provides all of their needs (a kind of Wall-E syndrome [1]).
The story highlights the dangers of this technological dependence and offers a warning to modern society about the consequences of over-reliance on computers and AI.
The novella is set in a future world where humans live underground in isolated, individual rooms connected to the Machine, which provides everything they need, from food to entertainment. Human interaction is minimal and often takes place through the Machine’s communication system. The story follows the life of Vashti, a woman who has become fully immersed in the Machine and its way of life. However, she begins to question the Machine and the society it has created when her son, Kuno, begins to rebel against the Machine and its control over their lives.
Forster’s vision of a society entirely dependent on technology is incredibly prescient, especially in today’s world where computers and AI are increasingly integrated into our daily lives. The story is a warning about the dangers of becoming too reliant on technology and losing our human connection to each other and the world around us. Forster’s portrayal of the isolated and lonely lives of the characters is a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of our technological dependence.
Furthermore, Forster’s depiction of the Machine as a sentient being capable of controlling and manipulating the lives of humans is eerily similar to the capabilities of modern AI systems. The Machine in the story is able to monitor and control all aspects of human life, from their physical needs to their emotional state. This mirrors the capabilities of modern AI systems, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and capable of manipulating human behavior.
In conclusion, “The Machine Stops” is a visionary and thought-provoking novella that offers a warning to modern society about the dangers of over-reliance on technology, particularly computers and AI. Forster’s depiction of a world entirely dependent on a single machine is a cautionary tale that is as relevant today as it was over a century ago. It serves as a reminder that we must be careful not to lose our humanity in the pursuit of technological advancement.
That’s it, and remember, only in 2021 60% of all companies today rely on AI algorithms in some way [1]! I Hope you enjoy the book. Wall-E certainly liked, or will like it in the future!
Reference:
[1] https://thenextweb.com/news/a-beginners-guide-to-the-ai-apocalypse-wall-e-syndrome
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