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Machine Stops (version 2)

Machine Stops (version 2)

By: E. M. Forster
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Explore the intricate relationship between humanity and technology in "Machine Stops (version 2)," a podcast that delves into themes of isolation, dependence, and the fragility of our engineered existence. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that examines the consequences of an increasingly automated society, where individuals are often disconnected from the tangible world around them. Through a rotating collection of thought-provoking narratives, listeners are invited to reflect on the cost of convenience and the yearning for genuine connection amidst a backdrop of technological omnipotence. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that challenge the notion of progress and the limits of human experience. Join us as we uncover diverse perspectives and cautionary tales that resonate with our contemporary reality, encouraging you to discover a new book with every episode and engage with the complexities of our modern lives.Copyright Science Genre Art Biological Sciences Literary History & Criticism Science
Episodes
  • Exposition with Practical Observations upon the Book of Ruth-Matthew Henry

    Exposition with Practical Observations upon the Book of Ruth-Matthew Henry
    Aug 16 2026
    Published in 1909, this science fiction short story takes place in a future where mankind, seemingly no longer able to survive on earth's surface, exists in a vast underground civilization known as "The Machine". Each individual lives in an isolated, fully-automated cell-like room, connected to global information and communication systems, but cut off from all direct experience. The narrative focuses on Vashti, an "advanced" mother whose total dependence upon The Machine has led her (like most others) to increasingly reverence and even worship it; and her "untechnological" son, Kuno, who has begun to deny The Machine's omnipotence and even seeks to escape if possible. Kuno's radical views are validated as the The Machine's systems begin to malfunction and eventually fail completely.The story has proved to be far ahead of its time, with remarkably accurate predictions of modern technologies, and paints a chilling picture of over-dependence on them. This recording marks the 100th anniversary of the original publishing. (Summary by Jerome Lawsen)
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    2 hrs and 12 mins
  • Machine Stops (version 4)-E. M. Forster

    Machine Stops (version 4)-E. M. Forster
    Aug 3 2026
    "Machine Stops" by E. M. Forster explores a future where humanity lives underground, relying on a vast machine for all their needs, leading to a disconnection from the natural world and one another. This thought-provoking tale delves into themes of isolation, dependence on technology, and the consequences of losing touch with reality, making it a timeless reflection on the human experience. As contemporary society grapples with similar issues of technological dependence and social disconnection, Forster's insights remain strikingly relevant. Listening to this audiobook offers a chance to reflect on our own relationship with technology and the importance of human connection in an increasingly automated world.
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Machine Stops version 2 - E M Forster

    Machine Stops version 2 - E M Forster
    Jul 1 2026
    Published in 1909, this science fiction short story takes place in a future where mankind, seemingly no longer able to survive on earth's surface, exists in a vast underground civilization known as "The Machine". Each individual lives in an isolated, fully-automated cell-like room, connected to global information and communication systems, but cut off from all direct experience. The narrative focuses on Vashti, an "advanced" mother whose total dependence upon The Machine has led her (like most others) to increasingly reverence and even worship it; and her "untechnological" son, Kuno, who has begun to deny The Machine's omnipotence and even seeks to escape if possible. Kuno's radical views are validated as the The Machine's systems begin to malfunction and eventually fail completely.The story has proved to be far ahead of its time, with remarkably accurate predictions of modern technologies, and paints a chilling picture of over-dependence on them. This recording marks the 100th anniversary of the original publishing. (Summary by Jerome Lawsen)
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    1 hr and 18 mins
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