Work, by it’s nature, is intended to be a means to an end advancing society economically and sustaining balanced lives for workers that are fulfilling, enjoyed and healthy.Socially, we are in a constant state of evolution, fueled by curiosity, invention and need – advances in technology make these changes possible and quick. Forster in 1909, is not only revered as a short story on it’s own merit, but increasingly relevant given current concerns about the effect of technology on employment and interpersonal relationships today.To understand Forster’s perspective, it is helpful to understand the social climate in which he lived.In 1909, the Edwardian Era marked by lavish lives of leisure and prosperity had given way to a more liberal shift led by the Labour party.Social, economic and political reform called for by a generation of working class who wanted independence was taking hold.Technology advances in England were being shared with America where the Industrial Revolution and Progressivism was transforming society at an extraordinary pace.Social politics and industry were focused on the issues associated with exponential growth and access to travel and exploration made possible by advances in technology.Women’s suffrage, workers rights and limits on the reach of big business created a dynamic social environment.Forster was in the middle of this extraordinary time of change, and his inspiration for the Machine Stops is easy to understand.He could imagine a time when technology would take over if the trajectory of progress in which he was living continued, and given the unprecedented pace of change and unforeseen impact on society, his dark story likely reflected his real fears.Although, he presents a pessimistic view of over reliance on technology, Forrester would ultimately agree that there is an important place for its advances in a society that craves newness, exploration and efficiency the caveat being that humans cannot survive in a world of only technology or human connection, of work or play, but, like most things, require an appropriate balance of both. The Machine Stops_, written by English author E.

Forster the machine stops