"Breaking Point" is a science fiction short tale written by James E. Gunn, a well-known personality in the genre noted for his creative and thought-provoking works. This narrative is an intriguing look at human nature and the consequences of advances in technology. "Breaking Point" follows the life of a competent mechanic named Ralph, who has a great appreciation for the art of human beings and the craftsmanship of machines in a future where civilization has reached a breaking point owing to overreliance on technological advances. Humans in this world have become entirely reliant on machines for their everyday requirements, leading to an acute divide between people who embrace and those who oppose automation. Ralph finds himself on a quest of self-discovery and resistance against the dominating flood of technology as he navigates this divided the globe. His quest for authenticity and the preservation of creativity becomes a moving statement on the erosion of human talents and the dehumanizing impacts of technology. "Breaking Point" by James E. Gunn is a timeless examination of the tensions between human creativity, craftsmanship, and the temptation of automation. It poses provocative concerns regarding the effects of technology on society, as well as the significance of striking a balance between innovation and the preservation of human talents and traditions.
James Edwin Gunn (July 12, 1923 – December 23, 2020) was a science fiction writer, editor, scholar, and anthologist from the United States. His anthology editing credits include the six-volume Road to Science Fiction series. He earned the Hugo Award for "Best Related Work" in 1983, and he was nominated or won several additional awards for his non-fiction works in science fiction studies. In 2007, he was named the 24th Grand Master of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and he was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. His novel The Immortals was made into a TV series starring Christopher George in 1970-71. Gunn was a retired English professor and the founder of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas. Gunn was born on July 12, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jesse and Elsie Mae (née Hutchison) Gunn. His father was a printer, his two uncles were pressmen, another uncle was a proofreader, and his grandfather was a newspaper editor. Benjamin Gunn, his grandfather, was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not. He had visited every county in every state in the country as a Masonic delegate and could name them all, including where he had spent the night.
