The Human Machine

by Arnold Bennett

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Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Self Help, Classics, Audiobook, Ebooks, British Literature

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1908

About the author

Enoch Arnold Bennett was an English author, best known as a novelist, who wrote prolifically. Between the 1890s and the 1930s he completed 34 novels, seven volumes of short stories, 13 plays (some in collaboration with other writers), and a daily journal totalling more than a million words. He wrote articles and stories for more than 100 newspapers and periodicals, worked in and briefly ran the Ministry of Information during the First World War, and wrote for the cinema in the 1920s. Sales of his books were substantial, and he was the most financially successful British author of his day.
Born into a modest but upwardly mobile family in Hanley, in the Staffordshire Potteries, Bennett was intended by his father, a solicitor, to follow him into the legal profession. Bennett worked for his father before moving to another law firm in London as a clerk at the age of 21. He became assistant editor and then editor of a women's magazine before becoming a full-time author in 1900. Always a devotee of French culture in general and French literature in particular, he moved to Paris in 1903; there the relaxed milieu helped him overcome his intense shyness, particularly with women. He spent ten years in France, marrying a Frenchwoman in 1907. In 1912 he moved back to England. He and his wife separated in 1921, and he spent the last years of his life with a new partner, an English actress. He died in 1931 of typhoid fever, having unwisely drunk tap-water in France.
Many of Bennett's novels and short stories are set in a fictionalised version of the Staffordshire Potteries, which he called The Five Towns. He strongly believed that literature should be accessible to ordinary people and he deplored literary cliques and élites. His books appealed to a wide public and sold in large numbers. For this reason, and for his adherence to realism, writers and supporters of the modernist school, notably Virginia Woolf, belittled him, and his fiction became neglected after his death. During his lifetime his journalistic "self-help" books sold in substantial numbers, and he was also a playwright; he did less well in the theatre than with novels but achieved two considerable successes with Milestones (1912) and The Great Adventure (1913).
Studies by Margaret Drabble (1974), John Carey (1992), and others have led to a re-evaluation of Bennett's work. The finest of his novels, including Anna of the Five Towns (1902), The Old Wives' Tale (1908), Clayhanger (1910) and Riceyman Steps (1923), are now widely recognised as major works.

Reviews

[Speranza · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, I love Bennett’s writing – it has an effect on my soul that red wine has on my brain – it makes me dizzy, content and emotional.

However, the idea of disciplining one’s mind in order to achieve one’s best sounds ridiculous to me. He talks of control of the brain all the time. One should make a habit of controlling one’s brain. Who is one? Which part of the human being can control the brain if not the brain itself? And why should it be controlled at all?

It is odd how violence in any way, shape or form is universally condemned (and rightly so), yet we still write ‘self-help’ books that teach us how to discipline the brain, control the brain, force the brain, become the master of our brain in order to be perfect and happy human beings. Apparently BDSM is good for the brain - it should be kept nicely submissive so we can fit in society and be model homo sapiens.

Thankfully, human nature is flawed enough and, as much as it has been brainwashed throughout the centuries, the human brain will always have a mind of its own.

[Morad · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I have to elaborate on the rating I gave this book. It's 3.5 but there are no half stars here so it's 3. I would say 7/10 which is good.
Almost 50-60% of the book is about what since now call "Cognitive Control" But of course back then you don't expect the author to know that topic.
It's a nice read as it motivates and encourages you to take control on yourself and be more decisive and build a strong character but there is not much in terms of depth, philosophy or science.
It's much lighter than the titles suggest.

[Dianne Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Golding does justice to this rather curious self-help book. Bennett's humour and descriptive come through with relative ease, allowing for a discussion of human frailties in an accessible manner. Some folks may have issues with the book length and content reflective of the era, such as the occasional statement that might seem racist by a modern audience, but I found it rather entertaining because of Bennett's eloquence and willingness to discuss subjects that would have seemed confronting at the time of publication.

[Karen Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, some useful ideas, and beautifully read by Librivox volunteer Ruth Golding, who fully brings out all the sardonic twists and wry humor. The work was four-star-worthy till the last couple chapters, which I found quite uninformed and half-baked. But overall worth a listen.

[Keith Zuniga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold presents some interesting ideas and wisdom regarding people and the machine (their minds)! Easy to understand and one should heed the wisdom of someone such as this. It would seem they speak freak experience. I will try to put some of this into practice. I look forward to coming back and reading it again in retrospect on day in the not too distant future.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, slim text. I am endlessly amused while reading of this white westerner realizing the ancient wisdom of the east completely oblivious that he has not in fact discovered anything new. He writes as though he has discovered something no one else has ever known! This enthusiasm is delightful.

[Tricia Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to this book, babies are not human beings.

[Armagan (any pronouns) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not satisfied with its emphasis on progress. Especially the opposition between "clean" progressive individual who uses the mind and the resisting, "dirty" person archetype who is the slave of "his" heart, seemed problematic to me. This review is anachronistic though. However, the reader may see the links between today's self-help discourses and Bennett's theorization of "self" as a control mechanism on mind (which is suggested to be a machine). If you are interested in the genre, I would suggest you to check it out. Especially, strong emphasis on Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius throughout the book is encouraging for any reader.

[Piotr Kalinowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, short book about why is self-awareness important. Or actually mindfulness. There's nothing new here really, if you're already familiar with ideas related to mindfulness and buddhism. I have personally read it just because of the author's style. It's quite humorous, and showing you, yes you, that you should take some care with regard to your mind lest you end up ridiculed ;)

[Ratnesh Neema · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Human Machine is about an idea. An idea that can transform a man, both within and without. The author's got an amazing way of saying things.
A must read for anyone not in complete control of their self (that's everyone..)

[Eunice · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has some interesting insights but nothing I haven't heard of before. I'm still wondering why the chapter about money is entitled, "L.S.D."

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful explanation of using meditation to improve your circumstances.

[Baktash Hesaraki · Rating 4 out of 5]

very practical manual for this weird mechanism and how to rightly handle its chemistry . but i suspect the brain will quickly forget it if it doesnt constantly be reminded!

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few months ago I read short humorous play by Arnold Bennett called A Question of Sex. It was an enjoyably pleasant read. Today I came across The Human Machine also by Bennett. Having been written by Bennett I decided to give it a read. There’s a big difference between a play and a self-help book on becoming the master of your mind. But Bennett it appears was a skillful writer of both the play and self-help genre, he was an excellent writer. The Human Machine is as relevant today as it must have been in 1908. The book is sensible and has enough humor to keep it interesting, another enjoyable read.

[Jose Martin C.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Simple yet Powerful Book

A little book, which in sparkling, vigorous language persuades the reader to use the faculty of thought to become a better human being (as he says elsewhere: 'The less you think, the less reasonable you shall be'), and to generally practise 'high thinking and low living'. All who have an inclination to try to be a better human being and a better social being, and also all who find joy in reading elegant English prose, will like and be benefited by The Human Machine.

[Galicius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author proposes that the human brain can be tuned, trained like a mechanical machine. This involves what he calls “principles in the art of living.” I was amused by his remark that a university prepares you for a university and not for living. He recommends “scientific sustained attention to the real business of living.” It is not too late to start living at the age of fifty-five “with professional skill, as a professional painter does,” if we have been amateurish about it.

[Dr. Tathagat Varma · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an interesting book. Way back in 1905, the author could think of some interesting way to look at how we humans seem to behave mindlessly like machines and how we could train our mind to do better than that. I liked some ideas but the book is told in a very monotonous and rather boring manner - perhaps symptomatic of the writing style back then?

[Sudha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read .. With a simple explanation and providing insights and ways on how to master the human machine
Recommended for anyone who is interested in the subject and is looking for simple book without any huge technical or medical terms .

[Linda Hamonou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book basically aim at fixing your own flaws by using will power to created a disciplined brain that will enforce new habits.
It has some example and it's a mix between being berated for having the flaws in the first place because you aren't controlling your brain and a peep talk.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

To know more about Bennett, I strongly recommend this short video (little over 3 minutes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJdHkJ...

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dull, half ass philosophical, scientifically vague loveletter to the functionality and potential of the human brain.

[Sebastian Salamanca · Rating 4 out of 5]

short book with substance.

[Elias Benna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written in 1908, might be considered a pioneer in self-development bookshelf. I appreciated the idea of improving habits and the focus and concentration power in order to bebetter the brain capacities. However, i found some ideas ridiculous. I didnt get the 'habit of control one' brain', which organ can perform this if its not the brain itself?
Recommended to everyone, especially those who want to improve theirselves and master the enormous capacities of their brains.

[Christian Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most critics don’t grasp the subtle undertones in his simplistic articulation of the fundamentals of being - most likely for the very same reasons he illustrates in the opening chapters. This is one of my all time favorite reads. Elegant and simple yet so amazingly packed full of positive reinforcement. I keep it next to my Marcus Aurelius.

[Piyush Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mean, insightful.

[Irene Dionaldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

good terms used, ideas are quoted.
Suggestions are considered. :)

[Saya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended read to be master of own self.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

repetetive

[Michael Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a pretty amusing book to read. It held my attention well and had some good advice for general self improvement and improving how we interact with others.

[Sotiris Makrygiannis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cognitive science at the start of the last century. Interesting, light, kind of manual for jedi masters with simple advices. Yes another self improvement book