'The Machine Stops'
             Communities and communications are progressing each and every day. Regardless of the different perspectives that have been adopted in the study of the cities, communities and communications are intended to impact reciprocally, either in a positive or negative way. Over the centuries, technologies have changed rapidly, bringing about innumerable advantages to the global community. At the same time, technologies have also caused many unpredicted catastrophes to the human world, as illustrated in E.M. Forster's 'The Machine Stops'. His story depicts a machine-dominated society, which appear to be utopian at first, but which turn out to be dystopian. As such, the story contains warnings about our own society. Many predictions that are made about the Machine in Forster's society have either occurred or are beginning to surface in today's world. According to Forster, the relationship between the Machine and human is an outcome of the social construction of technology. Hence, this imaginary world might possibly be a reflection of the future of our society.
             In Forster's imaginary community, people live under the surface of the earth, where they have no contact with the open air. Every living or non-living element is destroyed and all that remains is dust and dirt. Going beyond the surface of the earth is thus, an extremely unpopular idea. If the trip must be made, individuals would need to put on a respirator and request for an Egression permit. The Committee governed by the Machine guides every aspects of the community. Any thoughts or actions against the Machine will end in homelessness - death. Each individual live in a single room connected to the Machine, where everything is done by buttons and stoppers. People are sent to different parts of the world by the public nurseries to inhabit the rooms of those who had died in various parts of earth. In this i...