--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It changed the life of mankind more…" description: "\"“It changed the life of mankind more radically than the printing press. It created suburbs and a hundred other dependencies—sexual and economic and nar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/walter-tevis-34092_automobiles_it-changed-the-life-of-mankind-more-radi_1370192.jpg" --- # It changed the life of mankind more radically than the… ![“It changed the life of mankind more radically than the printing press. It created suburbs and a hundred other dependencies—sexual and economic and narcotic—upon the automobile. And the automobile paved the way for more profound – more inward- inner dependencies upon Television and then robots, and…” quote by Walter Tevis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/walter-tevis-34092_automobiles_it-changed-the-life-of-mankind-more-radi_1370192.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/walter-tevis-34092_automobiles_it-changed-the-life-of-mankind-more-radi_1370192.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/599/walter-tevis-34092_automobiles_it-changed-the-life-of-mankind-more-radi_1370192.jpg) > ““It changed the life of mankind more radically than the printing press. It created suburbs and a hundred other dependencies—sexual and economic and narcotic—upon the automobile. And the automobile paved the way for more profound – more inward- inner dependencies upon Television and then robots, and finally the ultimate and predictable conclusion of it all: the perfection of the chemistry of the mind…It all began, I suppose, with learning to build fires—to warm the cave and keep the predators out. And it ended with time-release Valium.”” [Walter Tevis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-tevis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that the automobile reshaped society more dramatically than the printing press, spawning new dependencies and leading to further technological addictions, culminating in chemical mind control. **In simple terms:** Cars changed society, creating many new dependencies and leading to further tech addictions. Key Takeaway Recognize how technology can create hidden dependencies. Themes technology society dependency progress media Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type observational analytical philosophical When to use this quote - urban planning - personal health - media consumption - policy making - education Key Concepts consumerism urbanization psychology automation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance technological convenience with its hidden costs? - What dependencies have you accepted without questioning? A Different Perspective It overlooks the benefits of mobility and economic growth provided by automobiles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Automobile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automobile/) [Automobiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automobiles/) [Human progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-progress/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Printing press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/printing-press/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) ## Related quotes > [What would be important to me in a moment like this one would be not to deem a mans life or Mankind as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorin-cerin/what-would-be-important-to-me-in-a-moment-like-this-one-would-be-not-2/) [Sorin Cerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorin-cerin/) > [“Only after I became The weapon, this, instrument of the heavens, did I realize the meaning of life. 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You drop that load too when you find yourself an excuse."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-tevis/and-winning-that-can-be-heavy-on-your-back-too-like-a-monkey-you-drop/) [Walter Tevis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-tevis/) > [“Reading is too intimate,' Spofforth said. 'It will put you too close to the feelings and ideas of others. It will disturb and confuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-tevis/reading-is-too-intimate-spofforth-said-it-will-put-you-too-close-to/) [Walter Tevis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-tevis/) > [Reading is the subtle and thorough sharing of the ideas and feelings by underhanded means. 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