110 – The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster
In another edition of our ongoing Book Club series, we discuss the bafflingly prescient and hugely unknown E.M. Forster proto-science fiction and dystopian story The Machine Stops. This was written in 1909 yet managed to very accurately predict technologies like the internet, including its ability to be used as a device that can allow people to never leave the house: video conferencing, delivering food, clothes, music, literature and even artificial oxygen all to individuals living in isolation in underground chambers, yet connected to thousands and mediated by "the Machine." A harrowing and all-too-familiar vision of a world saturated with social atomization and mechanized order as well the dire consequences they may bring.
Support: patreon.com/heatdeathpod
General Recommendations
- JD's Recommendation: Dune (2021)
- JNM's Recommendation: The Machine Stops
Further Reading, Viewing, Listening
- Public domain copy of the story: The Machine Stops
- Audiobook of The Machine Stops
- "How E.M. Forster’s Only Foray Into Sci-Fi Predicted Social Distancing"
- "The Machine Stops" a review by famed neurologist and author Oliver Sacks
- "The Machine Stops: Science and Its Limits"
- The Machine Stops: Will Gompertz reviews EM Forster's work
- JNM's review of The Machine Stops
- WATCH: 1960s British science fiction anthology series Out of the Unknown included an adaption of "The Machine Stops" as one of their best received episodes (via archive.org)
Locationless Locations
- heatdeathpod.com
- Every show-related link is corralled and available here.
- Twitter: @heatdeathpod
- Please send all Letters of Derision, Indifference, Inquiry, Mild Elation, et cetera to: heatdeathoftheuniversepodcast@gmail.com
- Also, check out our newly updated YouTube channel for the hell of it
2. Untethered Radio (18+) 
3. Pharmacy Radio Network 
4. CareONE Radio 
5. THERMAL Radio 
6. 6Pack Sports Radio 
7. Entrepreneur Radio 
8. Charitable Works 
Live News Updates