Cant Quote by Camille Paglia
“Over the past 20 years, I have noticed that the most flexible, dynamic, inquisitive minds among my students have been industrial design majors. Industrial designers are bracingly free of ideology and cant. The industrial designer is trained to be a clear-eyed observer of the commercial world - which, like it or not, is modern reality.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Vagina: A New Biography, 2017
Paglia praises industrial design students for their pragmatic, ideology‑free approach to observing commercial reality.
In simple terms: Design students are practical observers of business.
Key Takeaway
Value clear‑eyed observation.
Themes
education
design
pragmatism
ideology
commercial reality
Mood
critical
insightful
Type
expository
persuasive
When to use this quote
- teaching
- career advice
- academic essay
Key Concepts
Critical thinking
observational skill
industry relevance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers balance practicality with social responsibility?
- What role does ideology play in design?
A Different Perspective
Pragmatism may overlook deeper cultural critiques.
![“My dear friend, clear your mind of cant [excessive thought]. You may talk as other people do: you may say to a man, "Sir, I am your most humble servant." You are not his most humble servant. You may say, "These are bad times; it is a melancholy thing to be reserved to such times." You don't mind…” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/590/samuel-johnson-50_appropriateness_my-dear-friend-clear-your-mind-of-cant-e_74600.jpg)