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That one American farmer can now feed himself and…

“That one American farmer can now feed himself and fifty-six other people may be, within the narrow view of the specialist, a triumph of technology; by no stretch of reason can it be considered a triumph of agriculture or of culture. It has been made possible by the substitution of energy for…” quote by Wendell Berry
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““That one American farmer can now feed himself and fifty-six other people may be, within the narrow view of the specialist, a triumph of technology; by no stretch of reason can it be considered a triumph of agriculture or of culture. It has been made possible by the substitution of energy for knowledge, of methodology for care, of technology for morality.””

Wendell Berry

About This Quote

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

Technology replacing human care and moral judgment leads to a hollow victory that lacks true agricultural or cultural progress.

In simple terms: Tech without care is a false triumph.

Key Takeaway

Balance technology with human values and stewardship.

Themes

technology agriculture culture ethics

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • farming practices
  • food policy
  • technology assessment
  • ethical design

Key Concepts

human stewardship knowledge substitution methodology vs care

Questions to Reflect On

  • What values should guide agricultural innovation?
  • How can we ensure technology serves culture, not replaces it?
A Different Perspective

Technological progress can ignore moral dimensions.

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