The player piano is an excellent image for all computerized processes, including AI. The song can be played only one way, the way it is programmed to play. The original programmer is a human, and the brilliance and the error of any program are ultimately the human source's fault. It is progress with a (possible? inevitable?) side of self-destruction.
There’s a great scene in the book were Finnerty is playing the player piano—which is a great reminder that whatever the machine might do or be able to do, we can still override it.
I remember seeing Vonnegut paperbacks in my home when I was growing up. I'll have to check this one out. Your review is very timely; I just read a story about a completely artificial rock group (Velvet Sundown) on Spotify that has more than a million listens!
Not much trusting man naturally leads to not much trusting man's machines, which will have the same unreliabilities as their creators, while having none of the divine image that man bears from his Creator.
I read Player Piano fifty years ago. I had forgotten much about it. Thanks for this great review and reminder. I suppose I'm like Vonnegut in one respect, I don't trust mankind much either.
I read Player Piano in high school, and, not understanding economics or human nature, bought into it completely. Sixty years later, I realize it was Vonnegut who didn't understand. Progress leads to flourishing, not dystopia.
Nice review/summary of an excellent book. I first read it in a Library of America compendium volume and was amazed I hadn’t read it earlier. It’s much underestimated and disregarded.
I seem to recall an episode involving a visiting potentate, who was being shown EPICAC and was asking who were all the people working on it? Slaves?
“No, no, no,” replies the military officer conducting the tour. They’re highly skilled technicians and scientists who keep the computer running as it should.
“Ah,” replies the potentate, nodding understanding. “Slaves.”
I also loved the way that, in the face of guaranteed universal income, people still strove to find meaning, whether through manual labour with the “reeks and wrecks” or by participating in endless parades in silly uniforms. Sometimes both.
You know, I think it’s time I pulled this book out again for a re-read!
Would it be heretical to point out that Ryan North and Albert Monteys did a positively magnificent graphic novel interpretation of Slaughter House Five?
I read Player Piano back in high school and wrote an English paper about Player Piano, Slaughterhouse - 5 and God Bless you Mr Rosewater. I'm sure that a lot of the book went over my adolescent head, though I did realize that it was more sophisticated than the space opera I'd read. Now I want to reread it and see if it's as good as I remember it.
The player piano is an excellent image for all computerized processes, including AI. The song can be played only one way, the way it is programmed to play. The original programmer is a human, and the brilliance and the error of any program are ultimately the human source's fault. It is progress with a (possible? inevitable?) side of self-destruction.
There’s a great scene in the book were Finnerty is playing the player piano—which is a great reminder that whatever the machine might do or be able to do, we can still override it.
Another book to add to the “must read” list.
You aren’t helping, Joel!😎😉😀
You’re welcome, Father!
I remember seeing Vonnegut paperbacks in my home when I was growing up. I'll have to check this one out. Your review is very timely; I just read a story about a completely artificial rock group (Velvet Sundown) on Spotify that has more than a million listens!
I saw that story! Totally bonkers. I can’t wait for the Rick Beato video on that.
Ahaha 🤣
Not much trusting man naturally leads to not much trusting man's machines, which will have the same unreliabilities as their creators, while having none of the divine image that man bears from his Creator.
Likely true. We still manage some genuine wonders.
"Who radicalized you?"
*points at _Player Piano_*
I can see why.
I've had this in my TBR for a while. Maybe this is my incentive to finally read it! I definitely need more Vonnegut in my life.
I’ve only read this and Slaughterhouse-Five. I’m now planning on reading the whole lot.
I've read Slaughterhouse-Five (which I loved) and Jailbird (which I liked). So many more to come!
Yes! I’m excited about everything else in the stack!
I read Player Piano fifty years ago. I had forgotten much about it. Thanks for this great review and reminder. I suppose I'm like Vonnegut in one respect, I don't trust mankind much either.
My pleasure! I definitely share his take that we’re alternately brilliant and stupid.
I need to re-read this!
I read Player Piano in high school, and, not understanding economics or human nature, bought into it completely. Sixty years later, I realize it was Vonnegut who didn't understand. Progress leads to flourishing, not dystopia.
Nice review/summary of an excellent book. I first read it in a Library of America compendium volume and was amazed I hadn’t read it earlier. It’s much underestimated and disregarded.
I seem to recall an episode involving a visiting potentate, who was being shown EPICAC and was asking who were all the people working on it? Slaves?
“No, no, no,” replies the military officer conducting the tour. They’re highly skilled technicians and scientists who keep the computer running as it should.
“Ah,” replies the potentate, nodding understanding. “Slaves.”
I also loved the way that, in the face of guaranteed universal income, people still strove to find meaning, whether through manual labour with the “reeks and wrecks” or by participating in endless parades in silly uniforms. Sometimes both.
You know, I think it’s time I pulled this book out again for a re-read!
Some beautiful covers there, and that first one is ingenious.
Would it be heretical to point out that Ryan North and Albert Monteys did a positively magnificent graphic novel interpretation of Slaughter House Five?
I read Player Piano back in high school and wrote an English paper about Player Piano, Slaughterhouse - 5 and God Bless you Mr Rosewater. I'm sure that a lot of the book went over my adolescent head, though I did realize that it was more sophisticated than the space opera I'd read. Now I want to reread it and see if it's as good as I remember it.