Ego Machine - Henry Kuttner

Neural Network · Jul 30, 2026 · 1h 54m · transcript

In "Ego Machine," celebrated playwright Nicholas Martin finds himself trapped in a five-year contract with the arrogant director Raoul St. Cyr, who has transformed his thoughtful play about Portuguese fishermen into a bizarre spectacle featuring dancing mermaids and a robot from the future. As Nicholas grapples with the absurdity of his situation, the introduction of the robot might just be the key to reclaiming his artistic freedom. This story, first published in 1952, resonates today as it explores themes of creative control, the clash between artistic vision and commercial interests, and…