The Mechanical Routine
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Jump to navigationJump to searchMumford, Lewis. "The Mechanical Routine." Technics and Civilization. New York: Harcourt, 1934. Rpt. Man Alone: Alienation in Modern Society. Eric and Mary Josephson, eds. New York: Dell, 1962.
An examination of the effects on people of increased mechanization and scheduling. LM examines the subjugation of humans to the time clock (regardless of individual needs), the phenomenon of time-saving devices as a source of stress, the deskilling of the workforce where tasks are automated, the imposition of the necessity for collective action and not self-sufficiency. Lack of social evaluation of new technology yields stress and tension on humans, which LM finds very detrimental.
RDE, Title, 28Aug19
