Swami said:

Here is the greatest example of a machine: The self-professed stance frequently encountered here and elsewhere: "I believe what I believe and no amount of facts or logic will change that." Is that evidence of growing, adaptable consciousness or machine-like fixed programming?

Here is another: addiction. One knows that this activity will lessen their health and longevity. That same person considers their time and life to be their greatest possession and yet are unable to stop the destructive behaviour. If that is not machine-like, then what is?

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So, basically, what you are saying is that our mind is a computer, and that we ourselves control how the programs are structured? We can open up to freely accept change and we can transcend emotion-backed addictions. Of course, when you consider it, all it is, is a program being rewritten to flow better with what happens, and change..... still a program though.

Are we biological machines? Maybe we need to take a look at the definitons:

ma?chine    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (m-shn)
n.

*A device consisting of fixed and moving parts that modifies mechanical energy and transmits it in a more useful form.
*A simple device, such as a lever, a pulley, or an inclined plane, that alters the magnitude or direction, or both, of an applied force; a simple machine.
*A system or device for doing work, as an automobile or a jackhammer, together with its power source and auxiliary equipment.
*A system or device, such as a computer, that performs or assists in the performance of a human task: The machine is down.
*An intricate natural system or organism, such as the human body.
*A person who acts in a rigid, mechanical, or unconscious manner.
*An organized group of people whose members are or appear to be under the control of one or more leaders: a political machine.
*A device used to produce a stage effect, especially a mechanical means of lowering an actor onto the stage.
*A literary device used to produce an effect, especially the introduction of a supernatural being to resolve a plot.

Can't we sum it up as a "system or device"? Everything is a machine. The only issue here is of the nature, substance, and complexity of said machine. End of discussion.
Peace.