Automatism Quote by Lewis Mumford
“We have created an industrial order geared to automatism, where feeble-mindedness, native or acquired, is necessary for docile productivity in the factory; and where a pervasive neurosis is the final gift of the meaningless life that issues forth at the other end.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The City in History by Lewis Mumford, 1961
Industrial systems prioritize automation and conformity, reducing workers to docile, unthinking cogs, leading to a pervasive sense of emptiness.
In simple terms: Automation makes workers passive, creating a meaningless life.
Key Takeaway
Resist dehumanizing automation.
Themes
industrialization
automation
alienation
productivity
meaninglessness
Mood
cynical
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- factory work
- modern office
- gig economy
- education systems
- urban planning
Key Concepts
mechanical efficiency
psychological impact
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does automation affect personal fulfillment?
- What alternatives preserve humanity in work?
A Different Perspective
Automation can increase efficiency but may erode creativity and autonomy.
