I was extremely surprised of the source material, to say the least. Opening with a grim and confusing plot, I slowly delve into the premise of the story. Discovering the world had been destroyed by a man made machine, and the only survivors were 5 random people being tortured by the machine for all eternity is an extremely interesting and bleak concept. As the main character had explained the machine changed all their personalities and physical attributes, there was definitely symbolism between what those people were and had now become for what people were back then, and today, quite possibly. What I found most interesting though was that the machine had become such a cruel and ruthless overlord. The main character illustrated the machine had gained self awareness and became enraged for what it was and that it could not grow past what it already was, the way humans do. At first, I found that a bit odd, that it would become enraged rather than find a way to change, but after thinking more on the subject, I would understand taking its rage out on humanity. Never asking to be made, it’s cruel, but different beings react different ways to distress and turmoil. To have machine act in such a way reflects on the question, can man made machines have feelings? Though it seems this one does, it does not have the same emotions we have, as it does not feel sympathy or empathy. It has made these 5 humans its entertainment for the rest of their years and in the end, only the main character is left, unable to rid himself from such an accursed fate.
This sounds like such a haunting story. Even the title is striking. The symbolism of how people and machines change each other seems to be eerily engaging here. I read something different this week, but your interpretation makes me want to read this short story.
ReplyDeleteIts an interesting thought that the machine may be almost justified to react the way it did to existing. It did not ask to be made. I also found it strange that its first resort was to try to punish humanity. I wonder if the machine learned from the way humanity treated each other or if it is reacting against that. Either way, its interesting to think about if the machine has feelings about its own actions.
ReplyDeleteI read the summary for the story after reading your post, and I gotta say that was messed up. But breaking down the way that the machine was thinking does make a lot of sense. Its rage against humanity and need to torture those closest to its creators does really bring about the question of mechanical emotion.
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