Final answer:
The novel 'The Machine Stops' by E.M. Forster reflects our own technologies despite being written before their existence, as the author was able to envision and explore the potential implications of technological advancements on society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The novel 'The Machine Stops' by E.M. Forster, although written before the existence of modern technologies, reflects many of the technologies we use today. This is because Forster was able to envision future advancements and their potential implications on society. For example, the novel explores themes such as dependency on technology, isolation caused by excessive reliance on technology, and the potential dangers of unchecked technological progress.
By imagining a world where people live in isolated pods and communicate through screens, Forster is able to explore the consequences of a society that is overly dependent on technology. Although he may not have known the specific technologies that would arise in the future, he understood the fundamental human tendencies and risks associated with technological advancements.
In the same way, many science fiction authors have been able to predict certain technological advancements and their impact on society, even if they did not have specific knowledge of those technologies. This shows the power of imagination and the ability of writers to use their understanding of human nature to forecast the possible consequences of technological progress.