Productivity Quote by Wayne Gladstone
““There has not been a piece of technology designed to save labor that has not increased labor. Word processors allow you to do what your secretary used to do for you. The Internet, BlackBerries, iPhones, yes they keep you tethered, but that's not the main problem. It's that along with increasing personal productivity, they increase the expectation of productivity. It no longer becomes a bonus to do the work of one and a half men, but the norm. And then when everyone’s working at one hundred and fifty percent capacity, they can fire a third of the workforce and still maintain output.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Labor and Technology, 2015
Technology boosts productivity but also raises expectations, leading to higher workload and job cuts.
In simple terms: Tech makes us work harder and can replace workers.
Key Takeaway
Beware rising expectations and job insecurity.
Themes
productivity
labor
technology
economics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- corporate management
- policy making
- career planning
- union negotiations
Key Concepts
automation
social expectations
workplace dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance productivity gains with fair labor standards?
- What policies could protect workers from over‑exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Higher expectations may outpace actual gains, causing stress.
