Built Quote by Lewis Mumford
“By fashion and built-in obsolescence the economies of machine production, instead of producing leisure and durable wealth, are duly cancelled out by the mandatory consumption on an even larger scale.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The City in History by Lewis Mumford, 1961
Industrial focus on endless consumption erodes the potential for lasting wealth and leisure, turning production into a cycle of forced buying.
In simple terms: Production drives forced buying, not lasting wealth.
Key Takeaway
Shift toward sustainable, durable goods.
Themes
economics
consumerism
industrialization
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- policy making
- product design
- personal finance
- community planning
Key Concepts
obsolescence
planned obsolescence
sustainability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies incentivize durable production?
- What policies could curb planned obsolescence?
A Different Perspective
Even with sustainable choices, market forces may still favor disposability.
