The hustled progression of technology in this futuristic society has not liberated humanity, only advanced its exploitation. Machines are used to simply replace humanity and humans, not revolutionize meaning in mankind’s existence. The author shows an alternate universe in which machines are glorified not used to supplement humans. Humanity has become a ghost, leaving no traces of what it once offered to the society. The player piano’s invisible player and the recording of Rudy Hertz on a machine tape are symbolic of humanity, a once valued aspect of the world. By incorporating details that act to advocate the regression of this advanced society to its roots, Vonnegut reveals a thematic idea that ultimately, if an automated history is
