Men and Machines

One great defect of our civilization is that it does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science,as we have seen,has given us powers fit for the gods,yet we don't use it to the best extent. For example,we do not know how to manage our machines. Machines were made to be man's servants,yet he has grown so dependent on them that they are in a fair way to become his masters. Already most men spend most of their lives looking after and waiting upon machines. And the machines are very stern masters. They must be fed with coal,given petrol to drink,oil to wash with,and must be kept at the right temperature.If they do not get their meals when they expect them,they grow sulky and refuse to work,or burst with rage and blow up,and spread ruin and destruction all around them. So we have to wait upon them very attentively and do all that we can do to keep them in a good temper. Already we find it difficult either to work or play without machines,and a time may come when they will rule us altogether,just as we rule the animals.