Burden Quote by Shoshana Zuboff
“If the technology cannot shoulder the entire burden of strategic change, it nevertheless can set into motion a series of dynamicsthat present an important challenge to imperative control and the industrial division of labor. The more blurred the distinction between what workers know and what managers know, the more fragile and pointless any traditional relationships of domination and subordination between them will become.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Shoshana Zuboff, 2019
Technology cannot fully drive strategic change alone, but it can trigger dynamic shifts that challenge traditional control and labor structures, especially as knowledge gaps between workers and managers shrink.
In simple terms: Tech sparks change but can’t replace human strategy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize tech’s limits and adapt leadership.
Themes
technology
power
labor
control
knowledge
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
strategic
critical
When to use this quote
- corporate restructuring
- skill development
- policy making
- union negotiations
Key Concepts
surveillance capitalism
organizational dynamics
knowledge asymmetry
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations balance tech-driven change with human insight?
- What new power dynamics arise when knowledge is shared?
A Different Perspective
Tech alone cannot solve deep structural issues; human agency remains crucial.
