Attributes Quote by Thorstein Veblen
“The machine technology takes no cognizance of conventionally established rules of precedence; it knows neither manners nor breeding and can make no use of any of the attributes of worth.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Theory of the Leisure Class, 1899
The machine operates without regard for human customs or social hierarchies, ignoring traditional notions of worth.
In simple terms: Machines ignore human etiquette and status.
Key Takeaway
Recognize technology's limits in social contexts.
Themes
technology
social norms
class
automation
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- industrial design
- AI ethics
- workplace dynamics
- education curricula
Key Concepts
mechanical rationality
social stratification
Questions to Reflect On
- How should we embed ethics into machine design?
- Can technology ever fully understand human values?
A Different Perspective
Machines cannot replace human judgment in moral or cultural matters.
