MAN VS. TECHNOLOGY STORY CONFLICT:

In the Man vs. Technology conflict, the struggle comes from our own inventions.

This conflict explores the unintended consequences of technological progress… artificial intelligence, and mechanization. The conflict also explores the loss of control over the tools we designed to serve us.

At its heart, this conflict often asks a haunting question: What happens when our creations outgrow our morality?

The Emotional Core

The fear here isn’t just of technology and progress. It’s the fear of being replaced. There’s also the fear of becoming less human in an overly technological world. This conflict dramatizes anxieties about the future, control, surveillance, and artificial intelligence.

Modern Examples

The Matrix (film): Neo discovers that humanity is trapped in a simulated reality created by machines they once built.

Her (film): A man falls in love with an AI, raising profound questions about connection, intimacy, and the meaning of love in a digitized world.

Black Mirror (series): An anthology exploring the dark side of modern and near-future technologies—from social credit systems to memory implants.

I, Robot (based on Isaac Asimov’s stories): A detective investigates a crime he suspects was committed by a robot—challenging the laws that supposedly make them safe.

Writing Tip: Technology Is a Mirror

To write this conflict well, remember: technology is never just about gadgets. It reflects our own fears, our own flaws, and our own desires. Focus on the human emotional response. Are they losing connection? Are they desperate for immortality? Do they fear becoming obsolete?

Coming Next:

Our next post in the Conflict Design Series, we’ll explore Man vs. God/Fate, where survival becomes a philosophical and emotional battle against the raw forces of the Earth.

Happy Writing!