Great war Quote by Gilbert Andrew Hugh Gordon
““Many of the more ghastly and idiotic aspects of the Great War were made possible by the coincidence of mass-production and the social religion of deference.””
About This Quote
The Great War’s horrors were amplified by industrial mass production combined with a cultural deference that discouraged questioning authority.
In simple terms: Mass production plus blind obedience caused wartime atrocities.
Key Takeaway
Technology and social conformity magnify conflict.
Themes
World War I
mass production
social deference
war atrocities
Mood
critical
somber
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- modern drone warfare
- mass‑produced consumer goods influencing politics
- corporate lobbying with public acquiescence
Key Concepts
technological determinism
cultural obedience
Practical Applications
- Promote critical media literacy
- Regulate unchecked industrial scaling
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can curb blind deference in crises?
- How does mass production shape modern warfare?
A Different Perspective
Not all technological advances lead to conflict; context matters.
![“My comments are directed at the system which was responsible for their poor performance, not at the officers concerned. I do not recall ever having taken part [before the war] in an exercise that was other than a set ritual, which, while not without value, certainly did little to prepare us for…” quote by Gilbert Andrew Hugh Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/12c/gilbert-andrew-hugh-gordon-156_poor-performance_my-comments-are-directed-at-the-system-w_497405.jpg)
