{"product_id":"the-machine-stops-9781684220984","title":"The Machine Stops","description":"\u003cp\u003e2017 Reprint of 1909 Edition. The story describes a world in which most of the human population has lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual now lives in isolation below ground in a standard room, with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Travel is permitted, but is unpopular and rarely necessary. Communication is made via a kind of instant messaging\/video conferencing machine with which people conduct their only activity: the sharing of ideas and what passes for knowledge. It is intended as a chilling reminder of the possible consequences on over reliance on machines and the changes to human capacity and character that could result from this over dependence. Consider a classic of the science fiction genre and a prescient warning about our reliance on machine technology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Martino Fine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50616707318034,"sku":"9781684220984","price":5.38,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c2aec1be-0b94-4fa1-ad85-e02f0c1f661a.jpg?v=1768914127","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-machine-stops-9781684220984","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}