Sisyphos im Maschinenraum (Sisyphus in the Machine Room) (2025) by Martina Heßler examines the problematic relationship between humans and technology throughout history.

The book’s central thesis reveals a form of “technological chauvinism” whereby humans have become like a modern Sisyphus—endlessly occupied in their self-built machine room with eliminating errors and defects, whilst machines are celebrated as perfect solutions to human flaws. However, Heßler demonstrates that machines are far from infallible, and each technological solution tends to create new errors and problems.

The author argues it’s time to abandon the outdated illusion of perfect technology, showing how humans must expend ever more energy to control their increasingly complex technology. Rather than freeing us from our limitations, our faith in technological solutions has trapped us in an endless cycle where each fix creates new challenges requiring further intervention.

To illustrate the relentless and endless human striving for progress, she quotes Jean Grenier:

Jean Grenier, ein Freund Camus’, wies auf etwas Wichtiges hin: Er kritisierte, dass die Menschen immer über Prometheus sprechen, also darüber, dass er ihnen das Feuer brachte und sie zu klugen, die Welt gestaltenden Wesen machte. Das Selbstbild der Menschen sei jedoch zu stark vom Prometheischen, also dem Machen und Gestalten geprägt, so Grenier. Man spreche viel zu wenig über Sisyphos. Und in der Tat, es lohnt sich, diesen Faden aufzunehmen […]. Denn der menschliche Prometheus, der herstellt, gestaltet und sich steigert, wird zum Sisyphos, der mythischen Figur des unendlichen Wiederbeginnens. Sisyphos schuftet unentwegt, kommt aber nie an ein Ende.¹

Heßler, M. (2025). Sisyphos im Maschinenraum: Eine Geschichte der Fehlbarkeit von Mensch und Technologie. C.H. Beck., pp. 151 ff.

1. Jean Grenier, a friend of Camus, pointed out something important: he criticised the fact that people always talk about Prometheus, i.e. about how he brought them fire and made them intelligent beings who could shape the world. However, according to Grenier, people’s self-image is too strongly influenced by the Promethean, i.e. by making and shaping. Far too little is said about Sisyphus. And indeed, it is worth picking up this thread […]. For the human Prometheus, who creates, shapes and improves himself, becomes Sisyphus, the mythical figure of endless renewal. Sisyphus toils incessantly, but never reaches the end. ↩︎