Bottom line Quote by Noam Chomsky
““Part of the whole capitalist ethic is that the only thing that matters is how much money you make tomorrow: that's the crucial value of the system, profit for tomorrow. Not just profit, but the bottom line has to look good tomorrow. And the result is that planning for the future, and any kind of regulatory apparatus that would sustain the environment for the long-term, become impossible―and that means the planet is going to go down the tubes very fast.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on capitalism and environment, 2015
The quote critiques capitalism's focus on short‑term profit, arguing it hinders long‑term planning and environmental protection, leading to ecological collapse.
In simple terms: Capitalism prioritizes profit over future sustainability.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize long‑term environmental planning over immediate profit.
Themes
economics
environment
capitalism
future planning
sustainability
Mood
concerned
urgent
Type
analytical
critical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- policy making
- business strategy
- environmental activism
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
short‑term profit focus
regulatory neglect
ecological risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How can profit be aligned with ecological health?
- What policies could reconcile short‑term gains with long‑term sustainability?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook successful sustainable business models.
![“I wrote an article about the marine landing [in Haiti] right away, but barely mentioned the oil, because my article would come out two months later and I assumed by then, "of course, everybody knows." Nobody knew. There was a news report in the Wall Street Journal, in the petroleum journals, and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dc5/noam-chomsky-42_articles_i-wrote-an-article-about-the-marine-land_13341.jpg)
