In Dr. Samuel Johnson’s first English dictionary, “machine” was defined as “Any complicated work in which one part contributes to the motion of another.”

When we think about the future — a “we are living in the future!” future — we imagine a world populated with machines. We were promised hoverboards, autonomous factories, teleport vessels, humanoid robot maids, and space elevators, to name a few. But robotics turned out to be really hard, and human hands are still the best “machines” for many tasks. Apart from all the phones, the world in 2025 looks a lot like the world in 1970.

In Issue 003: Machine World, we explore man’s fascination with machines, and try to get serious about what a machine future or “machine world” looks like. We talk about a few of our favorite machines, and some of the big debates about them. Should anyone be allowed to repair any machine? Do we want to be “watched over” by machines? All those questions are up for debate: both about the machines we’ve got, and the ones we may yet have. One thing that feels certain is that machines will continue to hold our attention.