The Myth of the Machine: The pentagon of powerHarcourt, Brace & World, 1970 - Technology and civilization An in-depth look at the forces that have shaped modern technology since prehistoric times. Mumford criticizes the modern trend of technology, which emphasizes constant, unrestricted expansion, production, and replacement. He contends that these goals work against technical perfection, durability, social efficiency, and overall human satisfaction. Modern technology fails to produce lasting, quality products by using devices such as consumer credit, installment buying, non-functioning and defective designs, built-in fragility, and frequent superficial "fashion" changes. "Without constant enticement by advertising," he writes, "production would slow down and level off to normal replacement demand. Otherwise many products could reach a plateau of efficient design which would call for only minimal changes from year to year." |
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Page 6
... institutions by the decayed survivals of their own day , took for granted that the Middle Ages were a period of besotted ignorance and superstition ; and in their desire to throw off the influence of the Established Church , they ...
... institutions by the decayed survivals of their own day , took for granted that the Middle Ages were a period of besotted ignorance and superstition ; and in their desire to throw off the influence of the Established Church , they ...
Page 8
... institutions at home , which nourished the hope that at least on the other side of the planet a fresh start might be made . On one hand the Christian missionaries sought to convert the heathen , by fire and sword if need be , to the ...
... institutions at home , which nourished the hope that at least on the other side of the planet a fresh start might be made . On one hand the Christian missionaries sought to convert the heathen , by fire and sword if need be , to the ...
Page 206
... institutions , notably slavery and war , still kept their grip . One need not belittle the fact that such happy changes were fostered and hastened by the idea of Progress . But though these improvements were often notable , it is ...
... institutions , notably slavery and war , still kept their grip . One need not belittle the fact that such happy changes were fostered and hastened by the idea of Progress . But though these improvements were often notable , it is ...
Contents
NEW EXPLORATIONS NEW WORLDS | 3 |
RETURN OF THE SUN GOD | 28 |
THE MECHANIZED WORLD PICTURE | 51 |
Copyright | |
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absolute abstract achieved activities actually already ancient atom automatic automation Bacon become biological Christian civilization Comenius communication contemporary cosmic culture Descartes destruction dream economy economy of abundance effect electronic energy environment established evolution existence experience exploration extermination fact fantasies final forces Francis Bacon functions further future Galileo habitat Henry Adams idea ideology immense increase industrial institutions intelligence invention Kepler knowledge labor limited machine man's mass production mechanical world picture megamachine megatechnics ment merely method military mind mode modern moral myth nature nineteenth century noƶsphere Norbert Wiener nuclear observed once original Patrick Geddes physical planet plenitude political absolutism population possible potentialities power complex power system practical present progress purpose Pyramid Age quantity reality result scientific scientists social society space subjective symbolic technical Technics and Civilization technocratic tion totalitarian transformation turn ultimate utopia whole York