The Big Engine

"The Big Engine" by Fritz Leiber is a speculative fiction short story that explores the unsettling idea of humanity as a collection of unfeeling machines, programmed to play out pre-determined roles in a vast, indifferent world. The story's core is the Professor's somber reflections on why life feels so mechanical and devoid of genuine connection, leading him to believe people are essentially puppets, cut off from authentic interactions and true emotions. Leiber paints a grim picture of society as a giant, uncaring engine, where individuals are isolated from each other, trapped in ignorance and disconnection, subtly criticizing modern life and the lack of real human engagement through the Professor's philosophical ponderings and observations.