Robert T. Tally Jr. uses the term "misanthropic humanism" to describe Vonnegut's examination of the human condition. The term "misanthropic humanism" describes the idea that humanity's desire for a utopia is hindered by flaws in human nature that prevent a truly utopian society from flourishing. Vonnegut often explores the idea that humanity is turning a utopian dream into a dystopian nightmare (Tally Jr. 18). Vonnegut writes about this theme most prominently in his novel Player Piano, in which human life loses meaning due to artificial machines bringing about an age of mechanical reproduction that renders human life meaningless. In the novel, humanity's quest for improvement leads to its downfall