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 324
... economy of abundance is already in partial operation . But the gain seems on paper to be larger than it actually is ; for this reckoning leaves out the negative abundance that has accompanied this feat : the depleted soils and mineral ...
... economy of abundance is already in partial operation . But the gain seems on paper to be larger than it actually is ; for this reckoning leaves out the negative abundance that has accompanied this feat : the depleted soils and mineral ...
Page 399
... economy of abundance and its own system of automation . But he fully realized that the ultimate significance of his researches was to indicate how the internal equilibrium of the body made it possible for man to develop his superior ...
... economy of abundance and its own system of automation . But he fully realized that the ultimate significance of his researches was to indicate how the internal equilibrium of the body made it possible for man to develop his superior ...
Page 479
... Economic prison , new , 327 Economic waste , 328 Economy , automated , tion of , 324 184 ; democratiza- Economy of abundance , nature's , 399 ; organic models for , 395 ' Economy of gifts , ' 325 ' Economy of Megalopolis , ' 331 Economy ...
... Economic prison , new , 327 Economic waste , 328 Economy , automated , tion of , 324 184 ; democratiza- Economy of abundance , nature's , 399 ; organic models for , 395 ' Economy of gifts , ' 325 ' Economy of Megalopolis , ' 331 Economy ...
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 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 ideological 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 noösphere 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