Belief Quote by Neil Postman
“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: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, Neil Postman, 1992
The quote critiques how modern societies prioritize invention for its own sake, valuing efficiency and market logic over deeper purpose.
In simple terms: We focus on making things rather than asking why, treating people as consumers.
Key Takeaway
Question purpose before invention.
Themes
technology
society
purpose
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- product development
- policy making
- education reform
- business strategy
Key Concepts
instrumentalism
consumerism
technological determinism
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should guide new inventions?
- How can we balance efficiency with ethical considerations?
A Different Perspective
Ignores moral and cultural dimensions of innovation.
