Engineering Quote by Neil Postman
““Alfred North Whitehead summed it up best when he remarked that the greatest invention of the nineteenth century was the idea of invention itself. We had learned how to invent things, and the question of why we invent things receded in importance. The idea that if something could be done it should be done was born in the nineteenth century. And along with it, there developed a profound belief in all the principles through which invention succeeds: objectivity, efficiency, expertise, standardization, measurement, and progress. It also came to be believed that the engine of technological progress worked most efficiently when people are conceived of not as children of God or even as citizens but as consumers—that is to say, as markets.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Technopoly by Neil Postman, 1992
The quote argues that the 19th‑century mindset turned invention into a self‑justifying goal, driven by efficiency, standardization and market logic, sidelining deeper purpose.
In simple terms: Invention became valued for its own sake, guided by market principles.
Key Takeaway
Question the purpose behind innovation.
Themes
technology
market
purpose
invention
efficiency
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- product development
- policy making
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
industrialization
consumerism
philosophy of technology
Questions to Reflect On
- What values are sacrificed for efficiency?
- How can purpose be re‑centered?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook ethical implications and human values.
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