ChatGTP says, "The book you are referring to is likely "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster. This novella was published in 1909 and is set in a future where people live in individual rooms, connected to a global network that provides them with all their needs. The machines that run the network have become so efficient that people no longer need to learn or do anything for themselves. As a result, they have become isolated, shallow, and dependent on the network. When the network starts to break down, the characters are unable to cope and must face the consequences of their reliance on the machines."
Curious Worlds: The Art & Imagination of David Beck. The artist made some incredible automata and kinetic sculptures and it's a documentary that I've watched again and again to get ideas for my own works.
There's been quite a bit of tremor activity in the last month. I don't know if it is a change from before, but over the last month (2021-04-01 - 2021-05-06) basically everything west of I-5 from Portland, OR to Redding, CA has had deep tremors.