People have always felt that inclination to simplify their lives as much as possible. Technological and scientific development of the recent years resulted in invention of new machines and tools which facilitate our work and everyday life. Undoubtedly, computer has become one of the most important of those inventions. Constant technological advancement has produced more powerful and better computers which enable us to do our work faster in less time. Nevertheless, our ever increasing use of the computer technology seems to pose a threat that some day the machines will take control over human beings. This problem is the main concern of a writer Isaac Asimov who, in his novel "Nine Tomorrow, criticises human dependence on computers. Asimov creates in his book a picture of a futuristic world where people are controlled by computers. The situation results from human overreliance on the machines. In one of the stories, "Profession", Asimov presents situation of people who undergo education by computer programs. This process is effortless, however its result is that people stop reading books to develop their knowledge. They prefer have knowledge "inserted" in their brain instead of searching for information and learning on their own. Those futuristic people prefer being educated by computers, which implies that they remain passive in the process, to studying which involves a lot of effort on their side. What they do is "to try to memorize enough to match someone else who knows" ("Nine Tomorrows", "Profession 55"). This attitude means that people voluntarily give up any creativity and thinking and choose mechanical process in which they are only objects. In this way, the people from Asimov's story lose their ability to solve problems and allow computers to take control over everything.
Issac Asimov presents in his novel criticism of human overreliance on machines. His book is a warning and draws our attention to the fact that technological advancement is not only beneficial but can also be dangerous to people. Our dependence on computers and technology in general will make us do our work in a mindless, mechanical way and, as a result, we ourselves will become like computers. Human beings will become devoid of any aspirations as they will see no point in professional development. Instead of their knowledge and experience, people will use ready solutions and procedures.
