This overview traces the historical development of machines and invention in science fiction, examining how authors have imagined technology's role in society. From early cybernetic visions to post-war anxieties about automation and identity, the genre reflects humanity's evolving relationship with its creations.
About Our Editorial Process
This guide is prepared using historical bibliographic research,
literary references, and structured analysis of recognized works.
Books in this guide are grouped using bibliographic information, subject relationships, and the scope of the catalogue.
About This Literary Category
The machines and invention subgenre of science fiction emerged alongside the Industrial Revolution, but its modern form crystallized in the mid-20th century. Early works like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein explored the perils of creation, but the post-World War II era saw an explosion of stories centered on computers, automation, and cybernetics. The 1950s and 1960s, in particular, were a golden age for this theme, as authors grappled with the implications of electronic brains, artificial intelligence, and the mechanization of daily life. This period produced works that questioned the boundary between human and machine, often using invention as a lens to examine identity, control, and the unintended consequences of progress. The genre's international influence is evident in its adoption by writers from diverse backgrounds, who adapted these themes to their own cultural contexts. Today, as AI and robotics reshape our world, these stories remain remarkably prescient, offering cautionary tales and philosophical provocations that continue to resonate. The subgenre's enduring relevance lies in its ability to dramatize the tension between technological optimism and the fear of dehumanization, a conflict that remains central to the modern experience.
Historical Date Notes
This list uses the site’s offline bibliographic registry. A first-publication year is shown only when an explicit date is present in the work’s title or issue information. Books without such evidence remain listed as Date not confirmed; no year is guessed.
- Date not confirmed: A City Near Centaurus — Reading Notes
- Date not confirmed: A Question of Identity — A Closer Reading
- Date not confirmed: Butterfly 9 — Reading Companion
- Date not confirmed: Make me an offer — Story, Setting & Ideas
- Date not confirmed: Man in a Sewing Machine — Background and Themes
- Date not confirmed: Not a Creature Was Stirring — Key Ideas to Explore
- Date not confirmed: Preferred Risk — Edition Insights
- Date not confirmed: Scent Makes a Difference — Story, Setting & Ideas
- Date not confirmed: Self Portrait — Text and Context
- Date not confirmed: The Non-Electronic Bug — Reading Companion
- Date not confirmed: The Rumble and the Roar — A Closer Reading
- Date not confirmed: Two Whole Glorious Weeks — Themes and Context
Author Bibliographical Footprint
A breakdown of primary literary contributors and their recorded volume within this collection:
| Author Name | Cataloged Works | Representative Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Doede, William R., 1918-2007, West [Illustrator] | 1 | A City Near Centaurus — Reading Notes |
| Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 [Illustrator], Stecher, L. J., Jr., 1918-1988 | 1 | Man in a Sewing Machine — Background and Themes |
| Gaughan, Jack, 1930-1985 [Illustrator], Keith, Donald | 1 | Butterfly 9 — Reading Companion |
| Blomberg, Con, Dillon, Diane, 1933- [Illustrator], Dillon, Leo, 1933-2012 [Illustrator] | 1 | Make me an offer — Story, Setting & Ideas |
| Evans, Dean, Stone, David [Illustrator] | 1 | Not a Creature Was Stirring — Key Ideas to Explore |
| Schneider, Martin [Illustrator], Wolfe, Bernard, 1915-1985 | 1 | Self Portrait — Text and Context |
| Francis, Dick [Illustrator], Stamers, James | 1 | Scent Makes a Difference — Story, Setting & Ideas |
| Kossin, Sandy [Illustrator], McCann, Edson | 1 | Preferred Risk — Edition Insights |
| Bartholomew, Stephen, Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 [Illustrator] | 1 | The Rumble and the Roar — A Closer Reading |
| Finlay, Virgil, 1914-1971 [Illustrator], Riley, Frank, 1915-1996 | 1 | A Question of Identity — A Closer Reading |
| Freas, Kelly, 1922-2005 [Illustrator], Mohler, Will | 1 | Two Whole Glorious Weeks — Themes and Context |
| Mittleman, E., Morrow, Gray, 1934-2001 [Illustrator] | 1 | The Non-Electronic Bug — Reading Companion |
Date Coverage
For the books discussed in this article, 0 have an explicit first-publication or issue date and 12 remain unconfirmed. Unconfirmed dates are deliberately left unresolved rather than inferred.
Critical Analysis of Core Masterpieces
A City Near Centaurus — Reading Notes
by Doede, William R., 1918-2007, West [Illustrator]
Historical Significance
This story exemplifies the mid-20th-century fascination with alien civilizations and the limits of human understanding, reflecting post-war anxieties about encountering the unknown.
Historical Context
Published in 2015 but set in a future where Earth has colonized other planets, the story draws on the space race era's optimism and the archaeological mysteries of ancient cultures.
Literary Style
Doede employs rich, sensory prose with precise architectural descriptions and animal imagery to create a vivid alien world, blending speculative fiction with literary naturalism.
Writing Style
The narrative is dense with physical detail and dialogue that reveals cultural clashes, using a third-person limited perspective focused on the archaeologist Michaelson.
Major Themes
Themes include the clash of worldviews, the nature of immortality, the limits of scientific understanding, and the tension between preservation and exploitation.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Readers interested in thoughtful, character-driven science fiction that explores alien cultures and philosophical questions.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the prose is descriptive but accessible, with some complex ideas about time and dimension.
Main Characters
Mr. Michaelson (archaeologist), Maota (native inhabitant)
Setting
An ancient alien city on a desert planet, half a million years old, with tall spires and ebony surfaces.
Literary Movement
Mid-20th-century science fiction, with elements of anthropological SF and the 'sense of wonder' tradition.
Similar Books
['The City and the Stars', 'The Left Hand of Darkness']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Man in a Sewing Machine — Background and Themes
by Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 [Illustrator], Stecher, L. J., Jr., 1918-1988
Historical Significance
A key work from the 1950s that dramatizes the human-machine relationship through dialogue and gesture, reflecting early cybernetic anxieties.
Historical Context
Published in 2016 but set in a near-future where computers like Buster are installed for decision-making, echoing the post-war rise of mainframes and AI research.
Literary Style
Emshwiller uses precise physical gestures and contrasting speech patterns to characterize humans and machines, creating a polyphonic debate about technology.
Writing Style
The narrative alternates between brisk action and slower analytical exchanges, with dialogue that reveals each character's stance on technology and authority.
Major Themes
Themes include human-machine communication, the opacity of machine reasoning, collective decision-making vs. individual ingenuity, and the limits of technological control.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of classic 1950s SF that explores the social implications of computers and artificial intelligence.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the dialogue-driven narrative is straightforward but rewards attention to tone and gesture.
Main Characters
John Bristol (protagonist), Buster (computer), the President, the Vice President, the Secretary for Extra-Terrestrial Affairs
Setting
A tremendous vaulted room housing the computer Buster, and a Council chamber with a table and seated officials.
Literary Movement
1950s cybernetic science fiction, part of the broader 'Golden Age' tradition.
Similar Books
['The Moon is a Harsh Mistress', 'I, Robot']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Butterfly 9 — Reading Companion
by Gaughan, Jack, 1930-1985 [Illustrator], Keith, Donald
Historical Significance
A 2016 story that reimagines time travel as a philosophical puzzle, challenging linear notions of time and invention.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future where time travel is possible but redefined as 'discovery' rather than invention, reflecting postmodern skepticism about progress.
Literary Style
Keith uses everyday objects (pills, clocks) to anchor speculative leaps, with dialogue that carries the weight of philosophical explanation.
Writing Style
The narrative shifts between cramped interiors and abstract discussions of time, using a third-person perspective focused on Jeff Elliott's confusion.
Major Themes
Themes include the nature of time, the redefinition of invention as discovery, the relativity of knowledge, and the tension between practical and philosophical worldviews.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Readers who enjoy mind-bending time travel stories with a philosophical bent, similar to works by Philip K. Dick.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate to challenging; the concepts of time as a dimension and multiple timelines require careful reading.
Main Characters
Jeff Elliott (engineer), Ann (wife), the stranger, the lawyer
Setting
A noisy restaurant, a jail cell, a lawyer's office; the story moves between confined spaces and abstract temporal landscapes.
Literary Movement
Postmodern science fiction, with elements of philosophical SF and the 'New Wave' sensibility.
Similar Books
['The Time Machine', 'The Man Who Folded Himself']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Make me an offer — Story, Setting & Ideas
by Blomberg, Con, Dillon, Diane, 1933- [Illustrator], Dillon, Leo, 1933-2012 [Illustrator]
Historical Significance
A satirical take on bureaucratic overreach and technological control, reflecting 1960s anxieties about urban planning and environmental manipulation.
Historical Context
Published in 2016 but set in a near-future New York where the city is largely roofed and a Civic Machine controls weather, echoing post-war urban renewal projects.
Literary Style
Blomberg uses a memo format with a colloquial, self-deprecating narrator to satirize bureaucracy, blending official jargon with personal asides.
Writing Style
The narrative is framed as an internal memo, with digressions and a plea for help, creating intimacy and highlighting the gap between control and resistance.
Major Themes
Themes include the limits of technological control, the power of individual dissent, the absurdity of bureaucracy, and the unintended consequences of efficiency.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of satirical science fiction that critiques bureaucracy and technological hubris, similar to works by Frederik Pohl.
Reading Difficulty
Easy; the memo format and conversational tone make it accessible.
Main Characters
Ross Ro (City Manager), Hatty Dakkon (citizen), Charlie (TV Tech)
Setting
Near-future New York City, with a roofed environment, Civic Machine, and Projector connected to Supply.
Literary Movement
Satirical science fiction, part of the 1960s 'New Wave' that emphasized social critique.
Similar Books
['The Space Merchants', 'Player Piano']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Not a Creature Was Stirring — Key Ideas to Explore
by Evans, Dean, Stone, David [Illustrator]
Historical Significance
A post-apocalyptic story that uses sensory detail to evoke a world destroyed by an unknown catastrophe, reflecting Cold War fears of annihilation.
Historical Context
Published in 2016 but set in a near-future where humanity has been wiped out by a mysterious purple phenomenon, echoing nuclear winter scenarios.
Literary Style
Evans uses a gritty, colloquial narrator and recurring sensory motifs (purple, cold, silence) to build atmosphere, with an ironic framing device.
Writing Style
The narrative follows Tom Gannett's first-person perspective, with a list of unknowns and a focus on physical sensations, creating a slow, reluctant comprehension.
Major Themes
Themes include survival, the fragility of civilization, the search for meaning in a dead world, and the ambiguity of the apocalypse.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of literary post-apocalyptic fiction that emphasizes atmosphere and character over action.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the sensory prose is vivid but the story withholds explanations, requiring patience.
Main Characters
Tom Gannett (miner), various dead bodies
Setting
A post-apocalyptic Reno, Nevada, with purple snow, dead bodies frozen in everyday poses, and a mine shaft.
Literary Movement
Post-apocalyptic science fiction, with elements of the 'quiet apocalypse' subgenre.
Similar Books
['The Road', 'I Am Legend']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Self Portrait — Text and Context
by Schneider, Martin [Illustrator], Wolfe, Bernard, 1915-1985
Historical Significance
A 2016 story that uses an unreliable diary narrator to explore cybernetics and self-deception, reflecting mid-century concerns about identity and technology.
Historical Context
Set in 1959 at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Cybernetics Studies, the story draws on the early history of cybernetics and the shadow of political violence.
Literary Style
Wolfe employs a diary format with a narrator who protests too much, inviting the reader to read against the grain and uncover hidden biases.
Writing Style
The narrative is composed of dated diary entries, with a focus on social maneuvering and self-justification, leaving the actual cybernetic work vague.
Major Themes
Themes include self-deception, the unreliability of self-portraiture, the tension between conformity and judgment, and the contrast between petty concerns and historical violence.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Readers who enjoy psychological depth and unreliable narrators, with a interest in cybernetics and mid-century academia.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the diary format is accessible but requires attention to subtext.
Main Characters
Ollie Parks (cyberneticist), Len (colleague), Goldweiser (colleague), Marilyn (former fiancée), Steve Lundy (exile)
Setting
Princeton's Institute for Advanced Cybernetics Studies, 1959, with labs and social spaces.
Literary Movement
Cyberpunk precursor, with elements of psychological realism and the 'New Wave' emphasis on character.
Similar Books
['The Cyberiad', 'The Crying of Lot 49']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Scent Makes a Difference — Story, Setting & Ideas
by Francis, Dick [Illustrator], Stamers, James
Historical Significance
A 2016 story that uses scent as a bridge between alternate probabilities, exploring identity and knowledge through a unique sensory motif.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future with medical centers that drone biometric data, the story reflects contemporary interest in quantum mechanics and multiverse theories.
Literary Style
Stamers blends scientific jargon with wry humor, using recurring details (egg, scent, nickname) to anchor the speculative premise in sensory reality.
Writing Style
The narrative is first-person from Harry Jones's perspective, with a dry, self-deprecating tone that shifts between technical explanation and personal reflection.
Major Themes
Themes include the nature of probability, the role of scent in memory and identity, the limits of inference, and the interplay between alternate selves.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of mind-bending SF that explores alternate realities and the self, similar to works by Philip K. Dick.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the concepts of probability and alternate selves require careful reading, but the prose is accessible.
Main Characters
Harry Jones (physicist), Kate (wife/alternate self), Dr. Doogle (doctor), various alternate selves
Setting
A near-future with a medical center, a restaurant, and a bedroom; the story moves between confined spaces.
Literary Movement
Postmodern science fiction, with elements of quantum fiction and the 'New Wave'.
Similar Books
['The Man in the High Castle', 'The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Preferred Risk — Edition Insights
by Kossin, Sandy [Illustrator], McCann, Edson
Historical Significance
A 2016 novel that uses cryonics and insurance as a metaphor for a risk-free society, reflecting post-war anxieties about corporate control and commodification of life.
Historical Context
Set in a post-war world where a Company controls everything from ration coupons to cryonic suspension, echoing the rise of corporate power and insurance culture.
Literary Style
McCann uses a first-person narrator with a dry, self-aware tone, precise language, and recurring images of surveillance and control.
Writing Style
The narrative moves between public spaces and the claustrophobic Bay 100, with a focus on moral calculus and the tension between loyalty and rebellion.
Major Themes
Themes include the commodification of human life, the illusion of safety, the cost of rebellion, and the ethics of cryonics and corporate power.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of dystopian SF that critiques corporate control and explores ethical dilemmas, similar to works by Frederik Pohl.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the prose is accessible but the moral complexities require engagement.
Main Characters
Thomas Wills (Company adjuster), Zorchi (local contact), Benedetto dell'Angela (suspendee), Millen Carmody (Company founder)
Setting
Post-war Naples, with a liner, Customs shed, rapido, Carmody Field, and the cryonic Bay 100.
Literary Movement
Dystopian science fiction, with elements of cyberpunk and corporate dystopia.
Similar Books
['The Space Merchants', 'This Perfect Day']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
The Rumble and the Roar — A Closer Reading
by Bartholomew, Stephen, Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990 [Illustrator]
Historical Significance
A 2019 story that uses noise as a central antagonist, reflecting contemporary concerns about sensory overload and the psychological effects of modern life.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future where constant noise is normalized and even promoted for mental health, echoing the rise of urban soundscapes and open-plan offices.
Literary Style
Bartholomew uses sound as both setting and character, with precise physical descriptions of Joseph's bodily reactions and recurring motifs of mechanical smiles.
Writing Style
The narrative shifts between office, city, and home, tracking Joseph's escalating distress through rapid scene changes and a focus on sensory detail.
Major Themes
Themes include the psychological toll of noise, the search for silence, the mechanization of human responses, and the ambiguity of internal vs. external problems.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Readers interested in psychological SF that explores the impact of technology on mental health.
Reading Difficulty
Easy to moderate; the prose is vivid and the structure is clear.
Main Characters
Joseph Partch (office worker), Bob Wills (inventor), Betty (secretary)
Setting
A noisy office, a freeway, and Joseph's home; the story moves between these spaces.
Literary Movement
Contemporary science fiction, with elements of psychological realism and social critique.
Similar Books
['The Sound of His Horn', 'The Noise of Time']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
A Question of Identity — A Closer Reading
by Finlay, Virgil, 1914-1971 [Illustrator], Riley, Frank, 1915-1996
Historical Significance
A 1958 novella that uses a courtroom drama to explore the philosophical question of what defines a human being, reflecting mid-century debates about identity and technology.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future where medical transplants and part construction blur the line between human and machine, echoing the early days of organ transplantation and cybernetics.
Literary Style
Riley uses lean, visual prose with distinct vocal qualities for each character, and a structure built on escalating confrontations that mimic a trial.
Writing Style
The narrative is dialogue-driven, with short declarative sentences and stage directions, positioning the reader as a juror weighing evidence.
Major Themes
Themes include the definition of humanity, the conflict between scientific reductionism and philosophical personhood, the role of media in justice, and the performance of identity.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of philosophical SF and legal thrillers, similar to works by Philip K. Dick and Robert A. Heinlein.
Reading Difficulty
Moderate; the legal dialogue is accessible but the philosophical questions are deep.
Main Characters
Jake Emspak (defense attorney), Tony Corfino (defendant), Dr. Clendenning (medical expert), Edward R. Murrow (cameo)
Setting
A courtroom in 1958, with television cameras and a global audience.
Literary Movement
Mid-20th-century science fiction, with elements of legal drama and philosophical inquiry.
Similar Books
['Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?', 'The Trial']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Two Whole Glorious Weeks — Themes and Context
by Freas, Kelly, 1922-2005 [Illustrator], Mohler, Will
Historical Significance
A 2019 story that satirizes the vacation industry and uses a brutal camp as a metaphor for existential testing, reflecting post-war critiques of consumerism and conformity.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future Catskills camp that promises relaxation but delivers hard labor, echoing the rise of theme parks and the 'misery' tourism trend.
Literary Style
Mohler uses a first-person narrator with a dry, ironic tone, precise descriptions of the camp's mechanical oppression, and recurring images of wetness and waste.
Writing Style
The narrative follows the narrator's shift from naive excitement to grim camaraderie, with a focus on the gap between expectation and reality.
Major Themes
Themes include the illusion of leisure, the dehumanizing effects of labor, the search for authentic experience, and the ambiguity of the Captain's game.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of satirical dystopian fiction that critiques consumer culture and the pursuit of happiness.
Reading Difficulty
Easy; the prose is accessible and the irony is clear.
Main Characters
The narrator, Bertha (wife), the Captain, the driver, the female guard
Setting
Morton's Misery Farm, a Catskills camp with a swamp, rock quarry, jute mill, and steam laundry.
Literary Movement
Satirical dystopian fiction, with elements of the 'New Wave' and social critique.
Similar Books
['The Island of Dr. Moreau', 'The Prisoner']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
The Non-Electronic Bug — Reading Companion
by Mittleman, E., Morrow, Gray, 1934-2001 [Illustrator]
Historical Significance
A 2019 story that uses a card-cheating scheme to explore the shift from technological to inexplicable phenomena, reflecting contemporary interest in the paranormal.
Historical Context
Set in a near-future where electronic gadgets are common, the story contrasts technological cheating with a mysterious 'non-electronic' ability, echoing the rise of conspiracy theories and alternative beliefs.
Literary Style
Mittleman uses a blunt, transactional first-person narrator with clipped sentences and a morally neutral tone, creating a chilling intimacy.
Writing Style
The narrative shifts from a procedural explanation of the cheating system to a slower, uncertain encounter with the counterman, maintaining stylistic consistency.
Major Themes
Themes include the limits of technology, the nature of belief, loneliness after the edge, and the ambiguity of the unexplained.
Critical Reception
Further verification required.
Legacy
Further verification required.
Adaptations
Further verification required.
Recommended Audience
Fans of noir-inflected SF that blends crime with the paranormal, similar to works by Philip K. Dick.
Reading Difficulty
Easy; the prose is straightforward and the plot is linear.
Main Characters
The narrator (card cheat), Henry (partner), the counterman (rival)
Setting
A loft building for card games, a beanery, and the old neighborhood; the story moves between these urban spaces.
Literary Movement
Contemporary science fiction, with elements of noir and paranormal fiction.
Similar Books
['The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch', 'A Scanner Darkly']
Key Literary Concepts
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Cold War influence the portrayal of machines and invention in 1950s science fiction?
The Cold War created a climate of anxiety about technology's potential for destruction and control. Stories like 'Preferred Risk' and 'Man in a Sewing Machine' reflect fears of corporate or governmental overreach, while 'Not a Creature Was Stirring' evokes nuclear annihilation. Authors used machines as metaphors for the dehumanizing forces of bureaucracy and the arms race.
Why do so many stories in this category focus on the failure or unintended consequences of inventions?
The genre often serves as a cautionary tale, warning against blind technological optimism. Works like 'Make Me an Offer' and 'Two Whole Glorious Weeks' show how inventions meant to improve life can lead to oppression or absurdity. This reflects a broader cultural skepticism about progress, especially after the atomic bomb.
How does 'A Question of Identity' use a courtroom setting to explore the definition of humanity?
The courtroom becomes a stage for competing definitions of humanity—scientific, philosophical, and legal. Through cross-examination, the novella forces characters and readers to confront whether identity is biological, psychological, or socially constructed. The media presence also highlights how identity is performed for a global audience.
What role does sensory detail play in stories like 'The Rumble and the Roar' and 'Scent Makes a Difference'?
Sensory details ground speculative concepts in tangible experience. In 'The Rumble and the Roar,' noise becomes a character that drives the protagonist's psychological breakdown. In 'Scent Makes a Difference,' scent acts as a bridge between alternate probabilities, making abstract ideas about time and identity feel immediate and physical.
How do these stories reflect the historical shift from invention as creation to invention as discovery?
In 'Butterfly 9,' the lawyer insists that time travel is not an invention but a discovery of pre-existing truths. This redefinition reflects a postmodern skepticism about human agency and progress. Earlier stories like 'Man in a Sewing Machine' still treat machines as human creations, but later works question whether technology reveals or constructs reality.
Conclusion & Scholarly Summary
The machines and invention subgenre of science fiction offers a rich tapestry of cautionary tales, philosophical inquiries, and social critiques. From the cybernetic anxieties of the 1950s to the postmodern puzzles of the 2010s, these works collectively chart humanity's evolving relationship with its creations. They remind us that every invention carries unintended consequences, and that the most profound questions are often not about how machines work, but about what they reveal about ourselves.
