Bargains Quote by Neil Postman
“Anyone who has studied the history of technology knows that technological change is always a Faustian bargain: Technology giveth and technology taketh away, and not always in equal measure. A new technology sometimes creates more than it destroys. Sometimes, it destroys more than it creates. But it is never one-sided. The invention of the printing press is an excellent example. Printing fostered the modern idea of individuality but it destroyed the medieval sense of community and social integration.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman, 1992
Technology brings both benefits and costs, often creating new problems while solving others.
In simple terms: Tech advances have trade‑offs.
Key Takeaway
Weigh benefits against hidden costs.
Themes
technology
trade‑offs
society
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
sociological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- business strategy
- public health
Key Concepts
media theory
economics
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern tech might be harming community ties?
- How can we measure a technology’s net effect?
A Different Perspective
Not all impacts are immediately visible, making assessment hard.
