Computers Quote by Don DeLillo
““He was thinking about automated teller machines. The term was aged and burdened by its own historical memory. It worked at cross-purposes, unable to escape the inferences of fuddled human personnel and jerky moving parts. The term was part of the process that the device was meant to replace. It was anti-futuristic, so cumbrous and mechanical that even the acronym seemed dated.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: White Noise, 1985
The term “automated teller machines” feels outdated, trapped by old perceptions, hindering its futuristic purpose.
In simple terms: Old language can hold back new technology.
Key Takeaway
Update language to match innovation.
Themes
technology
language
progress
future
obsolescence
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- banking
- software development
- marketing
- public policy
Key Concepts
semantic inertia
technological adoption
cultural lag
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape technology adoption?
- Can new terms overcome legacy biases?
A Different Perspective
Changing terminology alone may not shift entrenched mindsets.
