02759cam a22003973u 4500 51311 UtSlPG 20260610134200.0 m cr n 260607r2016||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Blomberg, Con Make me an offer Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2016 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction August 1957 Release date is 2016-02-27 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Make Me an Offer" by Con Blomberg is a science fiction short story that was published in the late 1950s. The narrative presents a satirical take on urban management and the consequences of technological overreach, depicting a future where city planning and resource allocation are controlled by a highly advanced computer system known as the Civic Machine. The story explores themes of individuality, societal needs, and the conflicts that arise when human desires clash with automated decision-making. In the story, the protagonist, Ross Ro, a city manager, faces public opposition when he proposes to cover Central Park with a permanent artificial roof, believing it will enhance its appeal. However, a local activist, Mrs. Hatty Dakkon, rallies the women of the city against the project, emphasizing the importance of natural weather experiences for children. As Ro tries to control the public's demand through the Civic Machine, he inadvertently triggers an overwhelming order for gelatin molds due to a coordinated campaign by Dakkon and her supporters. In a frantic attempt to avoid financial disaster from the machine's automated supply chain, Ro ultimately abandons the roof project, illustrating the unpredictable nature of collective human behavior in the face of technological systems. The story delivers a humorous yet cautionary message about the reliance on technology and the importance of listening to community voices. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction Protest movements -- Fiction City managers -- Fiction Dillon, Diane, 1933- Dillon, Leo, 1933-2012 Produced from Galaxy Science Fiction August 1957 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51311 92149 92149