Better things Quote by Brian Alexander
““They’d been trained to make a tangible thing, and to sell the thing for a little more than the thing cost to make, and then to use that profit to pay people, make better things, and slide a little dividend into the pockets of those who’d risked their money to invest in the creation. The idea was pretty simple. But America had come a long way—and had decided the idea was too simple. So,””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of the Creative Class, Brian Alexander, 2015
The quote critiques how profit-driven production overshadows the original purpose of creating useful goods, turning simple ideas into complex financial schemes.
In simple terms: Profit motives complicate simple creation ideas.
Focus on value, not just profit.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- startup funding
- manufacturing
- product design
- entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can creators retain purpose amid profit pressure?
- What balance between profit and value is ideal?
Complex financial structures can erode original intent.