Player Piano-theme

A reoccurring theme throughout was the idea that human activity could be easily replaced by machines. Although the book seemed drastic and exaggerated in its usage of machinery, it actually magnified all the machinery and technology we use throughout our daily lives. Machines are replacing people. There is no longer a need to have human contact with anyone any more, anything that you may need to accomplish can be achieved at the privacy of your home without having to see a single person throughout the entirety of the day.

We have become so dependent on machines and technology, that we sometimes forget how to do the simple things in life. It's almost scary how much we depend on calculators, the Internet, phones and computers. Some kids cannot even get through a day without checking their MySpace page or updating their facebook. Books like PLAYER PIANO seem extreme, but machines are gradually replacing our ability to think. At times, just having the "right" answer is all that matters, and not the path and creativity used to get there. Everything becomes so structured and there are so many guidelines that when we are challenged with something that forces us to think outside the box and use our own intuition we fear it. At times thinking on our own isn't natural for us because we are so accustomed to having outside sources aid us. What should be so easy, making decisions for ourselves, is one of the hardest challenges because that is where the greatest risk lies; but, when we abandon responsibility for ourselves and depend on the advancement of technology to further us we feel safer.
We notice the human element being lost during Vonnegut's writing, the loss of beauty, art and life. This premise just makes us reflect upon ourselves and realize that at times we are not too far away from the mentality of Vonnegut's characters; but, we have the power to change that and challenge the system.