I have been corrupted as much as anyone else by the vast…
““I have been corrupted as much as anyone else by the vast number of menial services which our society has grown to expect and depend on. We should do for ourselves or let the machines do for us, the glorious technology that is supposed to be the new light of the world. We are like a man who has bought a great amount of equipment for a camping trip, who has the canoe and the tent and the fishing lines and the axe and the guns, the mackinaw and the blankets, but who now, when all the preparations and the provisions are piled expertly together, is suddenly too timid to set out on the journey but remains where he was yesterday and the day before and the day before that, looking suspiciously through the white lace curtains at the clear sky he distrusts. Our great technology is a God-given chance for adventure and for progress which we are afraid to attempt. Our ideas and our ideals remain exactly what they were and where they were three centuries ago. No. I beg your pardon. It is no longer safe for a man to even declare them!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author laments overreliance on technology, likening it to over‑packed gear that paralyzes action, urging us to use tools boldly rather than fear progress.
In simple terms: Tech overload can paralyze; act boldly.
Key Takeaway
Embrace technology, don’t fear it.
Themes
technology
fear
action
progress
overreliance
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal projects
- entrepreneurial ventures
- skill development
- community initiatives
Key Concepts
automation
human agency
innovation
risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks do we face by over‑relying on tech?
- How can we balance tool use with agency?
A Different Perspective
Technology can also cause dependency and loss of skill.