Player Piano

Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut had a steady single theme throughout the whole novel: machines are becoming the next human and future generations are in danger if we do not limit machinery abilities. Through black humor and numerous amounts of rhetorical elements, Vonnegut pushes this idea of the takeover of machines in a disturbingly realistic style. Day in and day out, engineers and designers of sorts, work diligently to make things better, faster, easier, and overall more convenient. Computers, cell phones, and other technological advancements are used everywhere we go in place of something that used to be there. In many ways, we benefit from the effectiveness of machinery but in what ways may we be restricting ourselves? Can we actually be digressing through technological progression? Obviously Vonnegut believes so and represents that throughout Player Piano and the characters he introduces. Our main character Paul struggles against whether or not the usage of machines is exactly helping him and society get ahead in life or if it is actually stealing precious life experiences from them.

“for what we perceive as good, plain reasons, have changed our minds about the divine right of machines, efficiency, and organization, just as men of another age changed their minds about the divine right of kings, and about the divine rights of many other things…. we cannot win good lives for ourselves in peacetime by the same methods we used to win battles in wartime.” (301)

This quote represents change and progression over time. It brings forth the idea that what appears to be beneficial at first glance may not be when you analyze it further. Machines are an obvious advancement that benefits society but to what extent should we allow machines to take the place of human capabilities and human socialization. Should we allow a machine to take the place of a librarian because then we will not have to pay her? Should we allow internet forums to replace conversations people could have in person? Does this help us or degrade us? This quote specifically is saying it is all right to question ourselves and what we allow machines to do. We can admit that maybe this system of machine-life maybe is not the right or best way to live; just like men, once, admitted that kings and emperors may not be the best way in which to govern a society. This quote is also representing that, in wartime, we are forced to use technological advancements, but should these advancements carry over when the war is a past thought? No way can we be beneficial people if we succomb to using the ways of war in the times of peace.

Player Piano is a novel that made me realize how much we use and manipulate technology in place of actual human interaction. Although, exaggerated much of the time, the novel is a frightening parallel of where advancements are leading people in the world. The novel overall was an interesting interpretation of something that people normally see as beneficial. It evoked thought and, for the most part, was an enjoyable read.