The Machine Stops

"The Machine Stops," a science fiction story by E.M. Forster, depicts a future society where humans live underground, entirely dependent on a vast, intelligent machine that provides all their needs—food, communication, and entertainment. People rarely see each other face-to-face, trusting the machine to fulfill every desire and requirement. When the machine begins to fail, society collapses because individuals are unprepared to live independently. The story explores themes of overreliance on technology, loss of human connection, and the importance of independence and critical thinking.