Suppose that, at a given moment, a certain number of…
““Suppose that, at a given moment, a certain number of people are engaged in the manufacture of pins. They make as many pins as the world needs, working (say) eight hours a day. Someone makes an invention by which the same number of men can make twice as many pins: pins are already so cheap that hardly any more will be bought at a lower price. In a sensible world, everybody concerned in the manufacturing of pins would take to working four hours instead of eight, and everything else would go on as before. But in the actual world this would be thought demoralizing. The men still work eight hours, there are too many pins, some employers go bankrupt, and half the men previously concerned in making pins are thrown out of work. There is, in the end, just as much leisure as on the other plan, but half the men are totally idle while half are still overworked. In this way, it is insured that the unavoidable leisure shall cause misery all round instead of being a universal source of happiness. Can anything more insane be imagined?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Russell argues that increased productivity can lead to unemployment and social distress if not managed, showing the paradox of progress.
In simple terms: More efficient production can cause job loss and misery without proper distribution.
Key Takeaway
Plan economic structures to share productivity gains.
Themes
economics
technology
labor
productivity
inequality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
economic
philosophical
social
When to use this quote
- policy design
- labor market analysis
- technological impact
- social planning
Key Concepts
distribution
automation
social welfare
economic policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure productivity benefits all?
- What policies prevent leisure from becoming misery?