August 31st, 2006 | Published in Work, Consumerism, Economics, Quotes, Culture
The standard of efficiency displaces and destroys the standards of quality because, by definition, it cannot even consider them. Instead of asking a man what he can do well, it asks him what he can do fast and cheap.
–Wendell Berry, “Discipline and Hope” in A Continuous Harmony (1972), p. 90
August 30th, 2006 | Published in Truth, Marketing and Advertising, Quotes, Culture
Contrary to popular belief, Barnum’s great discovery was not how easy it was to deceive the public, but rather, how much the public enjoyed being deceived. Especially if they could see how it was being done. They were flattered that anyone would use such ingenuity to entertain them.
–Daniel Boorstin, The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America (1961), p. 210
August 29th, 2006 | Published in Marketing and Advertising, Life, Quotes
A man is a fool if he looks only at the saddle and bridle and not at the horse itself when he is going to buy one; he is a greater fool if he values a man by his clothing and condition.
—Seneca (ca. 4 BC–AD 65), “Slaves” in The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (1994), p. 14
August 29th, 2006 | Published in Life, Quotes
Have some [slaves] dine with you because they are deserving, some to make them deserving. .
—Seneca (ca. 4 BC–AD 65), “Slaves” in The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (1994), p. 14
August 28th, 2006 | Published in Truth, Marketing and Advertising, Quotes, Culture
We think [advertising] has meant an increase of untruthfulness. In fact it has meant a reshaping of our very concept of truth.
–Daniel Boorstin, The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America (1961), p. 205
August 27th, 2006 | Published in Television, Education, Quotes, Culture
Of all the illusions of television, that of its much-touted “educational value” is probably the first. Because of its utter transience as a medium and the complete passivity of its audience, television is doomed to have its effect within the limits of the most narrow and shallow definition of entertainment—that is, entertainment as diversion.
–Wendell Berry, “Discipline and Hope” in A Continuous Harmony (1972), p. 87
August 26th, 2006 | Published in Life, Quotes
Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat you.
—Seneca (ca. 4 BC–AD 65), “Slaves” in The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (1994), pp. 13-14
August 25th, 2006 | Published in Marketing and Advertising, Quotes, Culture, Technology
The widely observed decline of salesmanship may be explained in part by the ways in which the Graphic Revolution has made the hypnotic appeal of the image take the place of the persuasive appeal of argument.
–Daniel Boorstin, The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America (1961), p. 192