Above is my propaganda poster supporting the machines perspective from The Machine Stops. 

My propaganda poster The Machine Is Life, is designed to encourage loyalty to the Machine in E.M. Forster’s The Machine Stops. It uses classic propaganda techniques to appeal to emotions and emphasize obedience to the Machine and reliance on the Book. I intentionally chose to use the colours red, black, and gold to give the feel of an overarching power, urgency, and control. Red represents passion and the need for strict loyalty to the Machine. The rays spreading out from the main structure symbolize the Machine’s control and influence, reaching everywhere. This design is similar to traditional propaganda posters where far-reaching lines represent the power of an authoritative central force. Also, unknown figures in the front represent the idea of collective conformity which is one of the main themes of the book. The crowd looks united which expresses respect and surrender toward the Machine. This visual dehumanizes people, showing how personal freedom is brushed off in favor of collective obedience. Historical propaganda typically used this technique to replace uniqueness with group identity. Also, the slogans The Machine Is Life and Trust the Book are short but direct phrases that deliver a clear message. These phrases are easy to remember and create trust in the Machine and the Book as these guides and saviours. The inspiration for this design comes from some events in The Machine Stops. For example, Vashti’s blind faith in the sacred Book shows how much society has committed to the Machine. The large mechanical structure in the poster was inspired when in the story it describes the Machine as massive, complex, and worshipped by humans. Creating this poster required some critical and creative thinking. Designing the poster also involved creativity in making the story’s ideas into images. This process helped me understand how design can shape thoughts and behaviours, which is an important skill that I have gotten better at in this assignment. In the end, the poster shows how propaganda is a powerful tool that can shape people’s views and actions. With bold visuals, emotional messaging, and commanding language, it reflects the Machine’s control and its impact on society.

Here is my Podcast with Cavell