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Of Men and Machines
Compilation of over 50 selections by editor Arthur O. Lewis.
Editor's introduction is his only commentary on anthology of essays and poems.
The book probes the relationship between man and the machines he has created.
Editor's introduction is his only commentary on anthology of essays and poems.
The book probes the relationship between man and the machines he has created.
349 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 3, 2024
Highly underrated book
January 19, 2017
I chose the dates specified; not that they're accurate, just that the dates are roughly around the time I first read this anthology. I loved this book; especially the short story - "The machine stops."
I've probably read the anthology; if only partially, at least 4 times since my first reading.
If I'd compare this series of shorts to anything, it would be - "The noble savage meets the machine..." :)
Great stories, relatively easy reads, deeply thought provoking (at times) and worth a gander.
I've probably read the anthology; if only partially, at least 4 times since my first reading.
If I'd compare this series of shorts to anything, it would be - "The noble savage meets the machine..." :)
Great stories, relatively easy reads, deeply thought provoking (at times) and worth a gander.
November 25, 2010
Wow. I added this book to Goodreads two years ago, and now three other people have read it. I feel like a pioneer!
If I am a pioneer, I am one who procrastinates a lot. After two years on my to read list, I finally got around to it. I'm a sucker for a good anthology, and this one fit the bill. Centered on the concern about man's place in a machine centered society, a good portion of it may seem outdated; however, remains relevant because the same concerns are alive and well regarding the computerization of society.
Naturally, I enjoyed the science-fiction selections in the book ()you can;t go wrong with kapek's R.U.R., and I felt like a studious scholar after reading selections from Francis Bacon, Adam Smith and other academic favorites. The poetry was a nice break from the usual prose I read.
Oddly, the one selection that sticks in my mind most was an article from a 1959 issue of Time Magazine called "The Pushbutton Cornucopia." Intended to be a celebration of the technological advances in agriculture, it now comes off as the chilling nightmare of modern day industrial farming. It's funny how times change.
If I am a pioneer, I am one who procrastinates a lot. After two years on my to read list, I finally got around to it. I'm a sucker for a good anthology, and this one fit the bill. Centered on the concern about man's place in a machine centered society, a good portion of it may seem outdated; however, remains relevant because the same concerns are alive and well regarding the computerization of society.
Naturally, I enjoyed the science-fiction selections in the book ()you can;t go wrong with kapek's R.U.R., and I felt like a studious scholar after reading selections from Francis Bacon, Adam Smith and other academic favorites. The poetry was a nice break from the usual prose I read.
Oddly, the one selection that sticks in my mind most was an article from a 1959 issue of Time Magazine called "The Pushbutton Cornucopia." Intended to be a celebration of the technological advances in agriculture, it now comes off as the chilling nightmare of modern day industrial farming. It's funny how times change.
April 29, 2009
A great collection of older stories, essays, and reflections of the impact of technology on society. This is a nice reminder that many of the same discussions we are having today were undertaken by the generations before us. Some of the highlights include R.U.R a crazy play about robots, "The Monastery and the Clock" which points to the rise of artificially created time, and "What Happened to the Teaching Machine?" which highlights the importance of being able to ask the right questions, not just give answers.
June 13, 2008
With over 50 pieces, this is an incredible variety of viewpoints. The book is timeless and still relevant. Some of the writers are Capek, Mumford, Frost, Whitman, Bacon, Asimov, Dickinson, Smith (Adam),Poe, Auden, Huxley, Steinbeck, Twain and Watson (Builder of IBM).
January 4, 2010
Published in 1963, this is a compilation of stories about the relationship between man and the machine he has created.
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August 1, 2013Picked this up because it includes Capek's "R.U.R."
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews