As he discovers that Neil created this machine based on Thomas's book and his understanding of "The Argument," Thomas does not expect not to see Nora also being inflicted by the machine. This not only reinforces the thriller aspect of the novel, its presence shocking readers, but also shows the way in which technology can interfere with rationality. Thomas hears Nora confess her love to him as they are both attached to machines, however, Thomas cannot accept what she tells him. He tells Neil: “'There's nothing true about it... Nothing. You control it. Force her to love’” (Bakker, 292). That Thomas understands this rationally, while protesting to Neil to let Nora go, shows the humanity Thomas possesses, as well as the consequences of the machine. This shows the strength of Thomas' humanity, as well as the strength of technology's ability to interfere with it. While Thomas is attached to the machine that strips him of his humanity, he still attempts to save Nora, ignoring the consequences of his attempts. This is not a rational response and it shows that even though rationality is simpler, technology cannot simply get rid of someone's humanity. By including this, Bakker is able to display the strength of humanity, as demonstrated by Thomas, while using the TSM to show readers the danger and consequences associated with this technology, as it has effectively destroyed the Neil's humanity and created a desire for him to do so. the same for those around him. Thomas irrationally accepts the consequences of MST, as well as the consequences of his actions while attached to it, proving the depth of his