Art Quote by Tom Robbins
“Time passed. Art came off the walls and became rituals. Ritual became religion. Religion spawned science. Science led to big business. And big business, if it continues on its present, mindless trajectory, could land those lucky enough to survive its ultimate legacy back into caves again.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Still Life with Woodpecker, 1980
Human progress cycles from art to ritual, religion, science, and commerce, potentially reverting if unchecked.
In simple terms: Society evolves through cultural stages, risking regression without mindful direction.
Key Takeaway
Beware unchecked corporate growth.
Themes
progress
culture
science
economics
risk
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- environmental policy
- personal development
- civic activism
Key Concepts
systems theory
historical cycles
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we steer business toward sustainable futures?
- What safeguards prevent regression?
A Different Perspective
The claim assumes linear progression and may oversimplify complex societal dynamics.
![“My personal motto has always been: Joy in spite of everything. Not just [mindless] joy, but joy in spite of everything. Recognizing the inequities and the suffering and the corruption and all that but refusing to let it rain on my parade. And I advocate this to other people.” quote by Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb3/tom-robbins-169_corruption_my-personal-motto-has-always-been-joy-in_557352.jpg)
![“Lieux de memoire . . . 'exist because there are no longer any milieux de memoire , settings in which memory is a real part of everyday experience.' And what are lieux de memoire ? [They] are . . . vestiges . . . the rituals of a ritual-less society.” quote by Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e56/tony-judt-1730_memory_lieux-de-memoire-exist-because-there-are_21586.jpg)
