This story was short, but said everything that it wanted to say in that time period. 

It's a much more allegorical view on how technology can divide humanity and deprive of us real connections, and it managed that quite succinctly.

For people who would like a deeper exploration of a similar type of "machine" that  ends up controling human society in an enclosed environment, check Yokohama Station SF by Yuba Isukari.