--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d…" description: "\"“The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still be used as stairs, but in this economic depression, even the stairs are unemployed.”\" — Jarod..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg" --- # The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still… ![“The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still be used as stairs, but in this economic depression, even the stairs are unemployed.” quote by Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg) > ““The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still be used as stairs, but in this economic depression, even the stairs are unemployed.”” [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote uses humor to highlight how severe economic downturns can render even basic infrastructure underutilized or idle, suggesting widespread joblessness. **In simple terms:** Even stairs can be out of work in a deep recession. Key Takeaway Recognize and address hidden unemployment. Themes economy humor unemployment infrastructure inequality Mood cynical reflective wry Type satirical social commentary humorous When to use this quote - policy analysis - urban planning - career counseling - social services - community outreach Key Concepts macroeconomics social commentary satire Questions to Reflect On - How does economic stress affect perceptions of essential services? - What policies could prevent basic infrastructure from becoming underused? A Different Perspective The joke may oversimplify complex labor market dynamics and ignore essential services that remain functional. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Depression Stairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression-stairs-996444/) [Economic depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-depression/) [Escalator Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escalator-doesn-996446/) [Ladder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ladder/) [Stairs Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stairs-economic-996445/) [Stairs Unemployed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stairs-unemployed-996443/) [Unemployed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unemployed/) ## Related quotes > [“A brick could be used for job security, like an employment paperweight. Hey, in this economic depression, I’ll take anything I can get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-for-job-security-like-an-employment-paperweight/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Those responsible for our economic depression have been found irresponsible. The irresponsible are responsible!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/those-responsible-for-our-economic-depression-have-been-found/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Like eggs, I’m scrambling to get ahead in this economic depression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/like-eggs-i-m-scrambling-to-get-ahead-in-this-economic-depression/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“With the economic depression and unemployment at record levels, at least I have an excuse to be a bum. I can blame Washington DC,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/with-the-economic-depression-and-unemployment-at-record-levels-at/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“A blanket could be used to help my career. Things have gone cold in this economic depression, so anything to help warm things up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-help-my-career-things-have-gone-cold-in/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I’m unemployed, so I’m seeking a handjob.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-m-unemployed-so-i-m-seeking-a-handjob/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“The World’s Columbian Exposition opened on May 1; on May 9, a banking crisis began, which led to a national economic depression that became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-alexandrov/the-world-s-columbian-exposition-opened-on-may-1-on-may-9-a-banking/) [Vladimir Alexandrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-alexandrov/) > [Nearly everybody nowadays accepts the 'causal completeness of physics' - every physical event (or at least its probability) has a full physical cause. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-papineau/nearly-everybody-nowadays-accepts-the-causal-completeness-of-physics/) [David Papineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-papineau/) > [“Comey had turned away from his upbringing and embraced various kinds of evangelism. He wrote his thesis on how the evangelist teacher Jerry Falwell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-harding/comey-had-turned-away-from-his-upbringing-and-embraced-various-kinds/) [Luke Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-harding/) > [ A state does not simply fall apart as a result of depression... \[Weimar Germany\] was not destroyed by economic depression or widespread unemployment, though… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-haffner/a-state-does-not-simply-fall-apart-as-a-result-of-depression-weimar/) [Sebastian Haffner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-haffner/) > [The U.S. dollar is in terminal decline. America is tragically bankrupt, unable to pay its lenders without printing the dollars to do so, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/the-u-s-dollar-is-in-terminal-decline-america-is-tragically-bankrupt/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [Depression has been called the world's number one public health problem. In fact, depression is so widespread it is considered the common cold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/depression-has-been-called-the-world-s-number-one-public-health/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/economic-depression-cannot-be-cured-by-legislative-action-or/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [The years of the economic depression have been years of political reaction, and that is why the economic crisis has generated a world peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-henderson/the-years-of-the-economic-depression-have-been-years-of-political/) [Arthur Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-henderson/) > [“If people feel lost and alone and helpless and broken and hopeless today, what will it be like if the world really begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-andress/if-people-feel-lost-and-alone-and-helpless-and-broken-and-hopeless/) [Brandon Andress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-andress/) ## More by Jarod Kintz > [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I wouldn’t love you if you were the last Sodomite in Gomorrah.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-wouldn-t-love-you-if-you-were-the-last-sodomite-in-gomorrah/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“A blanket could be used to make sweet, sweet music with the love of your life. Hopefully that person is me, because I’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-make-sweet-sweet-music-with-the-love-of/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“A brick could be used to slow down time. Sort of like a camel in a wheelchair pushed by a thirsty Arab. 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They might also lead to the basement, which I recently converted into a dungeon/torture chamber.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/two-similar-words-might-lead-to-two-similar-ideas-they-might-also/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Nothing is and isn’t; nothing is and isn’t—nothing itself is, and at the same time, nothing isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-itself-is-and-at/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Embossed letters represent the topography of typography.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/embossed-letters-represent-the-topography-of-typography/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“There’s only one piece of clothing I could eat fast, and that’s a scarf.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/there-s-only-one-piece-of-clothing-i-could-eat-fast-and-that-s-a-scarf/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Dora J. Arod is to Jarod Ora, as yes is to yes. Yes is also the correct answer to “Will you marry me?” Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/dora-j-arod-is-to-jarod-ora-as-yes-is-to-yes-yes-is-also-the-correct/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“The best part about being kidnapped is being blindfolded and getting kicked into the trunk of a car. Boy, normally I have to beg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-part-about-being-kidnapped-is-being-blindfolded-and-getting/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Orafoura once told me that if I were a car, I’d be a Ferrari. One that was scratched smashed, rusted, and stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/orafoura-once-told-me-that-if-i-were-a-car-i-d-be-a-ferrari-one-that/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I’d like to file a missing person’s report—on my clone. It’s nearly 2012. He should have been here by now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-d-like-to-file-a-missing-person-s-report-on-my-clone-it-s-nearly/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) [Explore all 6,921 Jarod Kintz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More Economic depression quotes > [“If people feel lost and alone and helpless and broken and hopeless today, what will it be like if the world really begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-andress/if-people-feel-lost-and-alone-and-helpless-and-broken-and-hopeless/) [Brandon Andress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-andress/) > [Nearly everybody nowadays accepts the 'causal completeness of physics' - every physical event (or at least its probability) has a full physical cause. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-papineau/nearly-everybody-nowadays-accepts-the-causal-completeness-of-physics/) [David Papineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-papineau/) > [“Comey had turned away from his upbringing and embraced various kinds of evangelism. He wrote his thesis on how the evangelist teacher Jerry Falwell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-harding/comey-had-turned-away-from-his-upbringing-and-embraced-various-kinds/) [Luke Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-harding/) > [ A state does not simply fall apart as a result of depression... \[Weimar Germany\] was not destroyed by economic depression or widespread unemployment, though… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-haffner/a-state-does-not-simply-fall-apart-as-a-result-of-depression-weimar/) [Sebastian Haffner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-haffner/) > [Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/economic-depression-cannot-be-cured-by-legislative-action-or/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [“The World’s Columbian Exposition opened on May 1; on May 9, a banking crisis began, which led to a national economic depression that became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-alexandrov/the-world-s-columbian-exposition-opened-on-may-1-on-may-9-a-banking/) [Vladimir Alexandrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-alexandrov/) > [The years of the economic depression have been years of political reaction, and that is why the economic crisis has generated a world peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-henderson/the-years-of-the-economic-depression-have-been-years-of-political/) [Arthur Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-henderson/) > [“A blanket could be used to help my career. Things have gone cold in this economic depression, so anything to help warm things up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-help-my-career-things-have-gone-cold-in/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Depression has been called the world's number one public health problem. In fact, depression is so widespread it is considered the common cold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/depression-has-been-called-the-world-s-number-one-public-health/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [The U.S. dollar is in terminal decline. 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A depression is when you lose yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/a-recession-is-when-your-neighbor-loses-his-job-a-depression-is-when/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 26 Economic depression quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-depression/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still be used as stairs, but in this economic depression, even the stairs are unemployed.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jarod Kintz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-think-they-d-still-be-used-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Economic depression" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-think-they-d-still-be-used-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/740/jarod-kintz-2_economic-depression_the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-thi_2494191.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d think they’d still be used as stairs, but in this economic depression…” — Jarod Kintz", "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": "Jarod Kintz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The escalator doesn’t work, and you’d...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-think-they-d-still-be-used-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-escalator-doesn-t-work-and-you-d-think-they-d-still-be-used-as/#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 } } ] } ```