--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The clock is the operating system of…" description: "\"“The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism, the thing that makes everything else possible - meetings, deadlines, contracts, manufacturing ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png" --- # The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism… ![“The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism, the thing that makes everything else possible - meetings, deadlines, contracts, manufacturing processes, schedules, working shifts.” quote by Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png) > ““The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism, the thing that makes everything else possible - meetings, deadlines, contracts, manufacturing processes, schedules, working shifts.”” [Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time structures modern capitalism, dictating work, production, and social rhythms **In simple terms:** Clock drives all economic activity Key Takeaway Recognize and manage time's influence Themes economics time capitalism productivity Mood analytical critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - project planning - shift scheduling - deadline management - policy making Key Concepts temporal governance labor theory technological mediation Questions to Reflect On - How can we design systems less dependent on strict timing? - What alternatives exist to clock-driven work? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on time can reduce flexibility and creativity ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Capitalism Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism-thing-2304655/) [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Clock Operating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock-operating-5269627/) [Modern Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-capitalism-422344/) [Operating system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operating-system/) ## Related quotes > [“In sum, capitalism is a thing of beauty. It’s not the same as long ago when heredity and physical strength determined who would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stein/in-sum-capitalism-is-a-thing-of-beauty-it-s-not-the-same-as-long-ago/) [Ben Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stein/) > [Capitalism has never stood back and examined itself properly. I think everybody knows that capitalism is the only thing that works, but is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/capitalism-has-never-stood-back-and-examined-itself-properly-i-think/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I believe that capitalism is the one thing in this world that's brought people out of poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-harrison/i-believe-that-capitalism-is-the-one-thing-in-this-world-that-s/) [Rick Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-harrison/) > [Modern capitalism seeks to assure us that it operates according to the principles of free creativity, endless development and diversity. It glosses over its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadezhda-tolokonnikova/modern-capitalism-seeks-to-assure-us-that-it-operates-according-to/) [Nadezhda Tolokonnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadezhda-tolokonnikova/) > [The characteristic feature of modern capitalism is mass production of goods destined for consumption by the masses. The result is a tendency towards a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-characteristic-feature-of-modern-capitalism-is-mass-production-of/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [Conservatives have no understanding of modern capitalism. They have a distorted understanding of the traditional values they claim to defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lasch/conservatives-have-no-understanding-of-modern-capitalism-they-have-a/) [Christopher Lasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lasch/) > [“The unadorned gentleman's suit was the product of the change from rigid status to social structures constantly shifting in response to the forces of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-unadorned-gentleman-s-suit-was-the-product-of-the-change-from/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [The fundamental idea of modern capitalism is not the right of the individual to possess and enjoy what he has earned, but the ;thesis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-fundamental-idea-of-modern-capitalism-is-not-the-right-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Modern capitalism has created a world totally different from anything known before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesslie-newbigin/modern-capitalism-has-created-a-world-totally-different-from-anything/) [Lesslie Newbigin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesslie-newbigin/) > [Financial crises are an unfortunate but necessary consequence of modern capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lo/financial-crises-are-an-unfortunate-but-necessary-consequence-of/) [Andrew Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lo/) > [“I have dedicated my life to fight against the heinous rottenness of modern capitalism because it robs the laborer of this world's goods. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-coughlin/i-have-dedicated-my-life-to-fight-against-the-heinous-rottenness-of/) [Charles E. Coughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-coughlin/) > [Modern capitalism, organising the reduction of all social life to a spectacle, cannot offer any spectacle other than that of our own alienation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/attila-kotanyi/modern-capitalism-organising-the-reduction-of-all-social-life-to-a/) [Attila Kotanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/attila-kotanyi/) > [“As many have noted, modern capitalism promises experiential satisfaction through consumption at the same time as it systematically deprives consumers of the stability, knowledge,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-during/as-many-have-noted-modern-capitalism-promises-experiential/) [Simon During](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-during/) > [Modern capitalism needs men who cooperate smoothly and in large numbers; who want to consume more and more; and whose tastes are standardized and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/modern-capitalism-needs-men-who-cooperate-smoothly-and-in-large/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Adam Smith saw the greed of modern capitalism for what it was - a form of destructive ambition that may have favorable effects on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/adam-smith-saw-the-greed-of-modern-capitalism-for-what-it-was-a-form/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## More by Carl Honoré > [“Speed can give you a great feeling of excitement, and there is a place for that in life and in music," says Kliemt. "But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/speed-can-give-you-a-great-feeling-of-excitement-and-there-is-a-place/) [Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [I always felt through writing that I wanted to rotate the world slightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/i-always-felt-through-writing-that-i-wanted-to-rotate-the-world/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [In this media-drenched, multitasking, always-on age, many of us have forgotten how to unplug and immerse ourselves completely in the moment. We have forgotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/in-this-media-drenched-multitasking-always-on-age-many-of-us-have/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Whether it's mending a failing company, fighting corruption, tackling disease, or rebuilding a marriage, the hardest problems defy just-add-water remedies. Indeed, slapping on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/whether-it-s-mending-a-failing-company-fighting-corruption-tackling/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Warnings about children being overscheduled, racing from one enriching activity to the next, first surfaced in the early 20th century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/warnings-about-children-being-overscheduled-racing-from-one-enriching/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Smaller families mean we have more time and money to lavish on each child. Parents are more anxious because small families give them less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/smaller-families-mean-we-have-more-time-and-money-to-lavish-on-each/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [In this media-drenched, data-rich, channel-surfing, computer-gaming age, we have lost the art of doing nothing, of shutting out the background noise and distractions, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/in-this-media-drenched-data-rich-channel-surfing-computer-gaming-age/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [“While the rest of the world roars on, a large and growing minority is choosing not to do everything at full-throttle. In every human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/while-the-rest-of-the-world-roars-on-a-large-and-growing-minority-is/) [Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [I love all this stuff. I look at all the gadgets that come out and I think, ‘Oh, this fix works for me. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/i-love-all-this-stuff-i-look-at-all-the-gadgets-that-come-out-and-i/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Slow parents understand that childrearing should not be a cross between a competitive sport and product-development. It is not a project; it's a journey.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/slow-parents-understand-that-childrearing-should-not-be-a-cross/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [This is where our obsession with going fast and saving time leads. To road rage, air rage, shopping rage, relationship rage, office rage, vacation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/this-is-where-our-obsession-with-going-fast-and-saving-time-leads-to/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Many kids, particularly in lower-income families, would actually benefit from more structured activities. Plenty of children, especially teenagers, thrive on a busy schedule. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/many-kids-particularly-in-lower-income-families-would-actually/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [“Much has already been destroyed. We have forgotten how to look forward to things, and how to enjoy the moment when they arrive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/much-has-already-been-destroyed-we-have-forgotten-how-to-look-forward/) [Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [“When people moan, “Oh, I’m so busy, I’m run off my feet, my life is a blur, I haven’t got time for anything,” what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/when-people-moan-oh-i-m-so-busy-i-m-run-off-my-feet-my-life-is-a-blur/) [Carl Honoré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [I could be working 300 hours a week. I just say 'no.' The power of slow is the power of no. I can't go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/i-could-be-working-300-hours-a-week-i-just-say-no-the-power-of-slow/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) [Explore all 67 Carl Honoré quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) ## More Capitalism quotes > [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. It is open markets, it is capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/don-t-let-s-lose-sight-of-what-creates-wealth-it-is-open-markets-it/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) [F. A. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-a-harper/) > [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/) [Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/) > [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Socialism is humanity's second nature. All politicians do is turn human vice into votes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/socialism-is-humanity-s-second-nature-all-politicians-do-is-turn/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [“Scholars have long debated whether capital markets lead to appropriate levels of saving and investment for future generations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-weimer/scholars-have-long-debated-whether-capital-markets-lead-to/) [David L. Weimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-weimer/) > [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) [Browse all 3,832 Capitalism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism, the thing that makes everything else possible - meetings, deadlines, contracts, manufacturing processes, schedules, working shifts.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Carl Honoré" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-modern-capitalism-the-thing-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Capitalism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-modern-capitalism-the-thing-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/carl-honor-10241_capitalism_the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-mod_2272126.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The clock is the operating system of modern capitalism, the thing that makes everything else possible…” — Carl Honoré", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Carl Honoré", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The clock is the operating system...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-modern-capitalism-the-thing-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/the-clock-is-the-operating-system-of-modern-capitalism-the-thing-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```