This reading was an interesting take on what has become our societies dependence on technology to perform even the most basic human tasks. I think that the fact that Forster is illustrating this in such a way; by showing us this in a dystopian type of story enhances the argument that society is heading towards total dependence on technology. The fact that it is a story makes it interesting to read and puts the argument in a space separate from our own so that we are able to see the truth in it. I think if this was just a rhetorical piece it wouldn’t be nearly as effective as it could easily be dismissed as over the top and just an article trying to scare people. Vashti’s character accurately shows in today’s world our human interactions are becoming diminished as rather than living in the moment we become absorbed in the world within our devices, this is represented in her not even wanting to see her son. Even seeing her son becomes a hassle for her as it seems she would rather stay in her home, absorbed in her comfortable protected world. The “machine” represents this world which we are heading towards and I think that this story serves as a powerful warning that we shouldn’t forget about our human needs and emotions and that we should be cautious on over-reliance of our technology.