Accomplish Quote by Shoshana Zuboff
“The history of work has been, in part, the history of the worker's body. Production depended on what the body could accomplish with strength and skill. Techniques that improve output have been driven by a general desire to decrease the pain of labor as well as by employers' intentions to escape dependency upon that knowledge which only the sentient laboring body could provide.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 2019
The quote highlights how labor history is tied to physical human capacity, with productivity gains driven by both reducing toil and limiting workers' unique knowledge.
In simple terms: Work history mirrors the body’s limits; tech eases labor but also controls knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how tech reshapes labor and knowledge power.
Themes
labor
technology
power
history
body
Mood
analytical
critical
thoughtful
Type
sociological
historical
commentary
When to use this quote
- industrial revolution
- modern gig economy
- AI-driven workplaces
- health and safety reforms
- skill training programs
Key Concepts
surveillance capitalism
human capital
skill automation
productivity
knowledge control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does technology change the value of human skill?
- What are the risks of making labor knowledge invisible?
A Different Perspective
May overlook emotional and social aspects of work beyond physical pain.
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