The Machine Stops

This week’s reading was fascinating. The panic of the crowds reminded me of the Doomsday scenarios that were spread around when Y2K was a disaster specter in the late 90s. I think it’s always in human nature to panic. Panic is defined as: “a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.”

It made me think about the supposed differences between human and animals, especially in the 3rd part when The Machine finally stopped. It is thought that crucial difference is consciousness and actually contemplating their existence. The problems arose for the people in the story when they gave up free will and curiosity in order to live complacently. It was ironic and fitting that the state of total self-interest and lack of mental exercise was called ideas.

My favorite saying that my father likes to trot out at me is: just when you think you have all the answers, they change the questions.