Air Quote by Wendell Berry
“With its array of gadgets and machines, all powered by energies that are destructive of land or air or water, and connected to work, market, school, recreation, etc., by gasoline engines, the modern home is a veritable factory of waste and destruction. It is the mainstay of the economy of money. But within the economies of energy and nature, it is a catastrophe. It takes in the world's goods and converts them into garbage, sewage, and noxious fumes-for none of which have we found a use.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unsettling of America, 1970
The modern home consumes resources and emits waste, turning prosperity into environmental harm while sustaining economic systems.
In simple terms: Homes waste resources and pollute.
Reduce consumption and redesign living spaces.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- home design
- energy policy
- urban planning
- personal lifestyle choices
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance comfort with ecological impact?
- What changes in daily habits could lower waste?
The quote ignores potential benefits of technology and renewable energy solutions.