The machine must be stopped: E.M. Forster’s “The Machine Stops” as a looking glass into modern technological world

“The Machine Stops” is a science fiction short story by English author E.M. Forster, set in a world where humanity resides underground, relying on an omnipotent global machine to fulfil all its needs. The two main characters, Vashti and her son Kuno, represent two opposing worldviews, giving rise to questions regarding the survival of the collective as opposed to the freedom of the individual. The Machine has become essential in the preservation of this society, which later proves to be incredibly fragile: a society which has come to solely rely on the comforts provided by the Machine and has renounced the physicality of its inhabitants. Forster predicts humanity’s increasing reliance on technology, highlighting the dangers of this becoming the ultimate controlling force, a concern that is also relevant in modern society. The futurist, information-oriented world presented reveals what can happen when humanity disengages itself from its physical and emotional existence, becoming incapable of adapting to changing environments. Examining this world through the lens of the beehive metaphor, the objective is to explore the danger of complacency which leads to stagnation. By delving into how individuals can resist the tendency of the collective to numb their inquisitive human spirit, the necessity of adaptation is revealed. The story delivers a warning and a hopeful message about growth in new global realities, which may resonate with readers to this day.