BP 2: Bryan Jimenez

The question that I chose is “1. What is the central premise or setting of the dystopian depicted in the text?” In “The Machine Stops,” the central premise on a dystopian world in which people live underground in cells and are dependent on a massive machine that was built by Dr. Crawford for communication and what they need. The setting is technically advanced but it is sterile and unpleasant distinguishes the environment. Moreover, people can no longer live independently or interact with nature because they are so reliant on the machine. Overall, “The Machine Stops” goes into issues of the dependence on technology, the decline of human relationships, and the consequences that result from a society that is cut off from nature.

In “There Will Come Soft Rains” the central premise is a dystopian society where technology is advanced and that it operates by itself without the help of people. “There Will Come Soft Rains” takes place in an environment after a nuclear attack, and portrays a single house surrounded by wreckage, with automated systems doing everyday tasks. The overwhelming sense of “decay and emptiness”, regardless of the efficiency of machines, shows the risks tied to an uncontrolled dependence on technology and the decreasing importance of human connection/relationships. Bradbury’s story acts as a warning about what happens in a future where technology rules and human values are rejected.

In “From Beyond” the central premise is a dystopian society where the need for forbidden knowledge and the consequences of going into “uncharted” realms are the key topics. Crawford Tillinghast, a scientist, pushes the limits of human comprehension and discovers previously undiscovered ‘dimensions’ and ‘entities’ through his scientific studies. Although, the investigation results in death, insanity, and the discovery of horrific entities. The setting of Tillinghast’s attic laboratory brings attention to the awkward aspects of his research and shows the dystopian aspects of a society in which people are motivated to seek out harmful information at any cost, even if it means risking other people’s lives and their sanity.