Absence Quote by Jacques Ellul
“Enclosed within his artificial creation, man finds that there is “no exit”; that he cannot pierce the shell of technology again to find the ancient milieu to which he was adapted for hundreds of thousands of years . In our cities there is no more day or night or heat or cold. But there is overpopulation, thralldom to press and television, total absence of purpose. All men are constrained by means external to them to ends equally external. The further the technical mechanism develops that allows us to escape natural necessity, the more we are subjected to artificial technical necessities.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Technological Society, Jacques Ellul, 1954
Advancement of technology creates new dependencies, eroding natural rhythms and leading to existential emptiness.
In simple terms: Tech progress can trap us in artificial needs.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between technology and nature.
Themes
technology
alienation
purpose
environment
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban living
- media consumption
- workplace
- education
Key Concepts
technological determinism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we preserve natural cycles in modern life?
- What practices restore purpose beyond material needs?
A Different Perspective
Technology also offers benefits like connectivity and efficiency.
