Skip to content

We now think it hilarious that medieval streets were used…

“We now think it hilarious that medieval streets were used as open sewers. Equally, our descendants will say: 'You won't believe this, but people were once allowed to hurl a couple of tons of dangerous metal around smashing into each other.'” quote by Norman Foster
Download Open image
“We now think it hilarious that medieval streets were used as open sewers. Equally, our descendants will say: 'You won't believe this, but people were once allowed to hurl a couple of tons of dangerous metal around smashing into each other.'”

Norman Foster

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The statement humorously critiques past sanitation practices and predicts future generations will find our current environmental harms absurd.

In simple terms: Past and future will view our wasteful habits as ridiculous.

Key Takeaway

Adopt sustainable practices now.

Themes

environment history humor

Mood

ironic reflective

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • city infrastructure
  • industrial waste
  • consumer culture
  • future urban design

Key Concepts

urban planning environmental ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What practices today will future people mock?
  • How can we reduce our environmental footprint?
A Different Perspective

Changing norms may make current standards seem normal.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Norman Foster

Explore all 40 Norman Foster quotes

More Allowed quotes

Browse all 1,069 Allowed quotes