Barbaric Quote by Jeremy Rifkin
“A half century from now, our grandchildren are likely to look back at the era of mass employment in the market with the same sense of utter disbelief as we look upon slavery and serfdom in former times. The very idea that a human being's worth was measured almost exclusively by his or her productive output of goods and services and material wealth will seem primitive, even barbaric, and be regarded as a terrible loss of human value to our progeny living in a highly automated world where much of life is lived on the Collaborative Commons.”
About This Quote
Future generations will view the era of tying labor as absurd, similar to how we view slavery, because automation will render traditional work measures of worth obsolete.
In simple terms: Automation will make current work-centric values seem barbaric.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for a shift toward valuing collaboration over productivity.
Themes
future
automation
work
value
human dignity
economics
Mood
thoughtful
optimistic
critical
Type
philosophical
future‑oriented
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- career planning
- community building
Key Concepts
philosophy
technology
sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- How will societies redefine personal worth?
- What policies can ease the shift?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate the transition period and resistance from entrenched interests.
