Technology is such an integral part of modern life, it’s no surprise that it’s also a major theme in fiction. In some cases, the conflict between character and technology is what propels a story forward. It can take many forms and is a popular trope in Science Fiction.
In a typical story of this type, the protagonist must overcome technology that is dangerous or threatening to their existence. This can be robots, aliens, or other forms of technology that seem to despise humanity. One of the best examples comes from a classic movie, The Matrix, in which the main antagonists are cold-blooded machines that despise humanity and won’t stop until they have consumed every last human being on earth. The protagonist, Dolores Abernathy, was once a naive but trusting human who turned into a cold-blooded killer because of the torture she endured in her past.
Other times, the protagonist must overcome a technology that seems to be beneficial but ultimately causes more harm than good. This can be the case with genetic alterations and mutations in science fiction stories or even cutting-edge medical treatments.
The setting is an important factor in determining whether or not there will be technology in the story. A story set in a modern industrial society will likely have technology, while a story in a prehistoric world might not. However, the use of technology should always serve the plot and not be used as a distraction.
