Richter, you were right.

[Richter]

It would helpo if we were dealing with simple mechanics.  Someone once told me that at the end of the 1800's, anyone with an equivalent high school diploma could understand any of the technology of the time. 

Compelling, but bullshit.  While they may have had the THEORY to handle any steam or clockwork, the complexity of application requires specialized training and experience.  Not even multiple doctorates can pick apart what we have now.

I know I've said it; the "Machine" isn't a will, it isn't a malicious thing, it isn't even mechanical!  It's jsut the blind idiot flailings of a multi headed beast.  A beast of nothing BUT heads.  As it writhes and bleats in the darkness, we tell ourselves stories of our own importance ad pretend it has some directed purpose in keeping people "down".  So much more horrible to think it doesn't even NOTICE you, isn't it?  That it can't?  You could feel OK if you were being laid low by a giant intelligent and complex combined will of the entire race, something that might actually have the authority to tell you to stop, but what you fancy is your personal Jesus-like nemesis is in fact nothing more than the surpluss activity of a wailing sheep on steroids run through a teleporter the wrong way.