Mating center

"Mating Center" is a science fiction short story written by Frank Belknap Long, first published in 1955. The story is set in a futuristic society where humans have developed advanced technology to control reproduction and mating. Here's a summary of the story:

In the future world depicted in "Mating Center," technology has eliminated the traditional notions of love, romance, and natural reproduction. Society now relies on a complex system known as the Mating Center, where individuals are matched based on genetic compatibility and other factors, rather than personal emotions.

The protagonist of the story, a man named Morton, becomes enamored with a woman named Paula. Despite their strong mutual attraction, they are unable to be together due to the rigid rules of the Mating Center. Morton and Paula feel the pull of genuine emotion and desire, which goes against the highly controlled and systematic approach to relationships in their society.

As the story unfolds, Morton and Paula attempt to navigate this highly regulated world in search of a way to be together. They resist the cold and clinical process of the Mating Center, longing for a more authentic and emotionally fulfilling connection. The story explores themes of individuality, human nature, and the limitations of a society that prioritizes scientific control over human emotions.

In the end, Morton and Paula's story doesn't conform to the norms of their society's Mating Center, and the story leaves readers to contemplate the tension between scientific advancement and the enduring power of human emotion.

"Mating Center" serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of stripping away human emotion and autonomy in the pursuit of technological control. It challenges the idea of reducing relationships and reproduction to purely mechanical processes, highlighting the complexity and depth of human connections.

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