In the name of economy a thousand wasteful devices would…
“In the name of economy a thousand wasteful devices would be invented; and in the name of efficiency new forms of mechanical time-wasting would be devised: both processes gained speed through the nineteenth century and have come close to the limit of extravagant futility in our own time. But labor-saving devices could only achieve their end-that of freeing mankind for higher functions-if the standard of living remained stable. The dogma of increasing wants nullified every real economy and set the community in a collective squirrel-cage.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Industrial progress can create endless waste and false efficiency, trapping society in a cycle of consumption without real improvement.
In simple terms: Technology can lead to pointless excess and unfulfilled promises.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize sustainable, meaningful innovation over mere speed.
Themes
technology
progress
efficiency
consumerism
environment
economics
Mood
critical
reflective
concerned
Type
analysis
philosophical
social critique
When to use this quote
- policy making
- product design
- consumer education
- urban planning
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
industrialization
planned obsolescence
resource depletion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we measure true progress?
- What alternatives reduce waste?
A Different Perspective
Efficiency gains may ignore social and ecological costs.